Yesterday evening, when I was out on “dinner quest” I ran into these stairs. Complete with a parent, a baby, and a stroller. I wasn’t ready to “Cross the Rainbow Bridge.” So, I looked for dinner on level 1B, having no desire to discover the wonders of level 1F.
It’s about 3:15. And I am at the airport. Waiting. I have totally enjoyed this trip. I am hopeful that as long as I ACCEPT and ADAPT I might have a few more trips in my future.
Being a NPC in Tokyo has been great for my mental confidence. I know that I am not as mentally nimble as I once was. But I can still process data albeit slowly.
37+ million people in greater Tokyo, and they all have umbrellas. I didn’t have an umbrella. Thought about buying one. Didn’t buy one. Bought origami paper instead.
I took refuge in the entryway to Chanel during an extra-heavy period of rain. The guards kindly allowed me to stand off to the side. They even held the door open so I could take a picture of the Chanel Xmas tree. They did not let me in the door, however.
Chanel Xmas Tree.It is a very interesting creation.
Thank You, Chanel.
I can queue up properly. Most of the time, I remember to walk on the left side. And to stand to the left on the escalators when they are actually available.I understand what this sign says without standing and staring at it. And notice the stairs.
So now that I’m able to get around without completely humiliating myself, it must be time to leave.
Went on a little train journey to exciting downtown Otsuki.
The hope today was to get a photo of Mt. Fuji, since it was crystal clear. I did catch some glimpses of Fuji from the train, but no photos.
When the train reached the end of the line, I learned that the really fine views were from the summit of Mt. Iwadono, advertised as an “easy” forty-minute hike.
A hike in Hokkaido last summer taught me that my definition of easy and the Japanese definition of easy are not remotely the same. So I skipped the hike.
Outside the Otsuki Police Station, I encountered the local “Most Wanted.”
You know you’re off the tourist track when you find wanted posters. Presumably, visitors aren’t supposed to know there may be actual criminals in Japan.
Last night I went to see more illuminations.
These lights surround a huge public art spider! Did I mention the stairs?
There are always stairs. And where you need to be or want to be is always at the top of a flight of stairs.
At one spot, you had to wait in line to take a picture. I was scolded for stopping to watch the people waiting in line. I did not wait. I couldn’t even tell what they were waiting to photograph.This guy is going for the money shot. The girl. The trees. The radio tower.I am pleased with the images I got. Without waiting in a very long line.
Played the old card tonight. I decided to stay in.
Exactly how do people go from this degree of order to…
that…
in less than 15 minutes.
I had pictured a nice, civilized little train ride to Yokohama. I’ve been there several times. No big deal.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.
I got on the right train. A few stops along, the announcements suddenly sounded different—and everyone got off. That seemed like a strong hint, so I got off too. Everyone lined up neatly on another platform, so I did that as well.
Then I noticed a sign saying the next train would be ten minutes late. Unheard of. About fifteen minutes later, a train arrived—stuffed. Truly stuffed. Another human could not possibly fit. But somehow, we all got squished on anyway.
Everyone was wearing puffy winter jackets. It was unreal. I felt oddly cushioned and strangely safe. I couldn’t move anything. I happened to have my phone in my hand, so I managed to take exactly one photo—of the floor.
A couple of stops later, I was pushed off the train with the crowd.
I got back on and continued to Yokohama Station. But I could not, for the life of me, find my way out of the station. Every attempt led directly into yet another shopping mall. Eventually, I declared ENOUGH, got back on the train, and returned to the hotel.
A different kind of adventure.
Did I mention the stairs? Still, it’s hard to stay annoyed when the shopping mall offers muffins stuffed with Oreos.Or loaves of sliced bread, shaped like cats.
Japan is a weird and wonderful place.
Last night, I did make it out to see some of the “illuminations,” as they’re called here.
Everything is a photo op.
And not all the illuminations are outside.
I found the perfect chandelier for my bordello at the Baccarat store.This “illumination” is right outside my hotel. Tonight I might seek out others.
Not only did I make it to Tokyo. But, I made it out of bed this morning.
After breakfast, I decided to take advantage of the nice warm weather.
Soon, I discovered a market/food vending area.
Strawberries are very popular. They cost about $2.50 each. I didn’t have any strawberries.I didn’t have beef tongue either. What fun am I?This guy is blow torching little squid. No squid on a stick for me either.
And then I went to Ueno Toshogu. Which has been around since 1651. Rather impressive. Considering all that Tokyo has been through in the last 400 years, a wooden building would still be standing.
The Golden Shrine.
And now, at 7PM, I find myself tired. Approaching exhausted. And I wonder what I’ll do tomorrow?
Still in Guam. Plane leaves at 7:20PM. Getting me to Tokyo at 10ish tonight. Then depending on how I feel, I will either get a taxi or take to monorail/train. Either way, it will be challenging to my jetlagged self.
Maybe an update from Tokyo later today or not.
If you think you’re having fun you are having fun.
I do, however, have a seat on tomorrow’s late flight. Which means I now have an entire day in Guam. Get kicked out of the hotel at noon. Plane leaves at 7:20 PM.
This is pretty much what I expected would happen. So yes—this is what I planned.
The plane from Honolulu to Guam was late from the get-go. The weather was bad. There were screaming little babies. The plane was packed. We transit passengers were only let off once because they were trying to make up time. All in all, a grand adventure.
Hotel Wi-Fi is too iffy to use even with my VPN, so this is coming to you from my phone.
Well, this is it. Blast off tomorrow on the United Island Hopper (UA154) for Guam. And if the travel goddess is willing, I’ll connect with a flight to Tokyo. Twenty-two hours later, I may—or may not—be alive and in Japan.
Note to self: You are too old to walk from Terminal 1 to the “Best” Western Hotel. Do not do this again.
I am safely ensconced at the “Best” Western Hotel, enjoying a Starbucks Fruit and Cheese Box.
Catching the 5 AM shuttle bus tomorrow morning. The plane is supposed to leave around 7:30 AM. When I checked in online this morning, United tried to entice me into abandoning this flight and taking a later one to Tokyo via San Francisco. I said, “No thanks.” So either they’ve oversold this flight—or they really don’t want me to miss the Guam-to-Tokyo connection.
Then on to the main event – breakfast. I voted for Teshima’s. The restaurant is old school. Same location. Same family ownership since 1929. Even older than I am.
Leaving on a culinary high note.
That’s 2 eggs over easy, spam, rice, and a pancake for lagniappe.
This is a pretty great Christmas parade float too.
Just one objective today: get my boxes packed and lugged up to the Post Office. Going to the Post Office at Christmas time and waiting in a very long line is an old Hawaiʻi tradition. The box was only ten pounds—but that’s ten pounds I won’t have to schlep around on the next leg of the journey.
I asked ChatGPT if it was acceptable to mail dirty clothes home. I was told yes. Of course, ChatGPT seems to be wrong about 15% of the time. But I am choosing to believe this.
Tomorrow: put everything I didn’t mail home into my backpack and check in online for the flight to Honolulu. I’ve culled my load down to the barest minimum: three undies, two socks, one bra, three shirts, one base layer, one skirt, and two jackets. Plus scarf and gloves. AllBirds high-tops. And the pair of “running” shorts I’m wearing at this very moment.
Of course, I am lugging too much tech. But I am not mailing my MacBook anywhere. I figure it’s about five pounds of clothes, drugs, granola bars, and pour-over coffee—and five pounds of tech—in a 25-liter Patagonia commuter/day pack.
Little old ladies shouldn’t be doing shit like this. But if you think you’re having fun, then you’re having fun. And this is one of the advantages of being child-free: nobody can really nag or guilt you out of doing stupid things like my upcoming crazy seven-day adventure.
Yesterday’s brunch—a more suitable activity for the senior circuit.
Brunch Location. LavaLava Beach Club. Sunday Brunch Participants. Lava Lava Beach Club.
Many good years and good times in this photo.
Nothing says Christmas better than a new water catchment tank.
Last night I decided not to be a wimp, got myself together, and walked three blocks to check out the Kona Christmas Parade. It was better in years past. But then again, so was I.
The water catchment tank was my favorite float. And no—this is not for livestock but for your own home water supply. Not everyone is connected to municipal water. It could be as high as 30% of homes. When Carlton and I worked at Volcano National Park in the 90s, we had catchment water too.
Here is a little quick-and-dirty two-minute video of the jeeps. They are a relatively recent addition to our little parade.
I am going to miss this. Cardio in the interior passageways and stairwells of the Asylum just isn’t the same. Not even close.
Last night we went out to dinner. I was promised lasagna at the beach, but we ended up at a restaurant—where we celebrated my birthday!
See—my Birthday.
Another day. Another meal. Off to the Keauhou Market and lunch. Well, we arrived too late for breakfast and too early for lunch. Billy and Mary Ellen went for a walk. Monique and I looked at our phones. And I found a stash of photos of Billy from the 80s. Monique has them now, too.
Lunch was excellent. An entire plate of ahi tuna sashimi.
Billy was smoking hot back in the day…
Actually, we were all smoking hot back in the day.
Still in Guam. Plane leaves at 7:20PM. Getting me to Tokyo at 10ish tonight. Then depending on how I feel, I will either get a taxi or take to monorail/train. Either way, it will be challenging to my jetlagged self.
