Sakura and Pagoda

Hanami and Sakura

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 10:46 PM
Subject: Weekly Email

The cherry blossoms (sakura) are in full bloom now. Today was probably close to the peak day. The blooming of the cherry trees is a major event in Japan and is called Hanami. The way to celebrate it is to get a plastic tarp (in the old days a blanket or tatami), a picnic box (bento), and some sake, and go to the park. There you sit under the cherry trees and view the blossoms, talk to your friends, eat, drink, and be merry. If you don't want to bring your food and drink you can buy traditional snacks from a stall and eat them.

We have been working extra hard but yesterday one of the Japanese guys I work with invited me to his home for dinner. Before we went to dinner, we went to the park. The park near his house is a famous one for cherry blossoms called Inokashira Park. There is a nice lake there with koi in it. You can rent a boat shaped like a swan if you want to also. We got some yakitori (chicken grilled on a skewer) and an Ashahi beer and enjoyed the sakura on top of sakurayama (cherry blossom hill). Then we went to his house where his wife fixed a very nice meal.

He lives in a duplex next to his father. The house is small but very nice and uncluttered. His wife was a fan of classical piano and she had a piano as well as a large collection of classical recordings which we listened to. As an appetizer we had salmon and a japanese pickle dish which I made the mistake of putting in the same dish. She fixed an excellent meal of beef bourgeon and a kind of salad. They slurped their salad when they ate it which is considered good manners. Anyway it was a very nice evening.

I ended up working today because we have a package going out tomorrow and we had to get it prepared. My boss is coming in tomorrow evening so this will be a busy week. Then I need to try to get the income tax completed. After that things may slow down.

Best to all, write if you get a minute.

Happy hanami and enjoy the blue bonnets (get a blanket, take some chicken and some beer, and sit and enjoy life)....

Nikko in Snow

Nikko

Bonsai Museum

Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 6:54 PM
Subject: Weekly Email

Well, the third and last wave of family for a while left yesterday. We went to all the usual places in Tokyo plus Kamakura and Nikko. The day in Nikko was especially nice in that the weather was perfect and we were able to see most of the main shrine complex. The cherries are just barely starting to bloom and we had great weather right up to Thursday evening. Friday was pretty cold but we ended up going to the museums at Ueno and staying out of most of it. I think Teresa, David, and Megan really enjoyed it. I enjoyed all of you - it is really quiet now.

I have made the observation that shopping was one of the great draws for Tokyo for all the visitors. The department stores are incredible and there are some good souvenir type shops as well. Besides the shrines and temples, the other great draw is the food. If you are willing to try something different, the Japanese cuisine is really good. If I get back here and there are visitors again, we will have to go to Kyoto. It is known for the culture, including food and temples.

Every group that visited left me some kind of unexpected "gift". Mother and Aunt Pauline left some bath soap. Cody and Kathye left cookies, snacks, and anti-wrinkle cream. David left a box of half eaten chocolates in my back pack and Megan left a Japanese Cosmopolitan. All will be put to good use.

Saturday I went into work for a while after Teresa and the kids have left. Unfortunately it is all still there pretty much as I left it.

Today I did my laundry and I've started income tax. To get out, I decided to go to the Bonsai Museum. This turned out to be quite a trek - it was the first time I was unable to navigate on the train. I couldn't find the local train and got on an express that went right by my stop. Then I tried to turn around and got on the wrong train. Finally I ended up taking the subway but had problems with that because my map was labeled wrong. When I finally got to the station I couldn't find the place because the building wasn't on the local map they always have at the subway door. I ended up having to ask the policeman who didn't speak english.

When I got there, it was a really nice museum but small. They don't have much room for display but some of the specimens were incredible. You could see the whole thing in an hour and study each tree individually (7 minutes if you are Jessica). The most impressive one was 350 years old and about 4 feet tall. Anyway, I probably wouldn't take visitors there unless they are really into such things. The cherry trees in that part of Tokyo are right down by the river and were already in pretty good bloom. Really nice.

Well, that is about it for this week. I am blessed to be able to live in such a place and have family enjoy it with me.

Take care all...

Frank

White Day

Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 2:14 PM
Subject: Weekly Email

Dear All,

I leave for the airport in a few minutes to pick up Teresa, Megan, and Dave. We are starting to get a lot of work done, but more on the way, on my project. So last week was busy.

Today is "White Day" in Japan. I may have already explained this but on Valentine's Day girls give guys something. Then on White Day, guys return the favor. The weather has really started to turn nice. It is in the 60s today and sunny. The plum trees are starting to get past their full bloom but the cherry trees are really starting to show buds. Watching the cherry blossoms fall is a big deal in Japan and in about two weeks we should be in the thick of it.

I got an espresso machine last week on my rental allowance. And it really makes great coffee. I'm still learning to froth the milk with the steamer for a cappuccino though. My effort this morning wasn't too bad.

I haven't heard from Teresa and the kids about what they want to do (except Megan wants to go to museums). So I think we will go to the National Museum first which is at Ueno. What all the visitors really seem to want to do is shop. So we'll go to the museum shop and then on Tuesday I'll take them to the Oriental Bazaar. And then we can take a trip outside Tokyo to somewhere like Nikko or Kamakura.

Well that's about it. Happy White Day!

...Frank