I don’t even know how to write about the island. I was only there for a brief stint, but somehow it felt like much longer. My legs are still aching from so much walking, and I think some of my clothes are still damp after all that rain. But the clothes will dry and the legs recover and what will remain is the clear clean air, the smiles on peoples faces, the ever present birds of prey and the remnants of the sea but on land all around. And photos. So many photos.
Yesterday evening the boys went training and I went out on a photo walk through Arita, wandering the sun drenched streets and finding little statues, temples and so so so many textures. There’s a whole heap of photos, because, well, I couldn’t stop myself from snapping away. Japan, you’re some kind of pretty, that’s for sure.
We went to Sasebo today for lunch, which was delicious but it was the dog at the restaurant that stole my heart. She spent lunch sitting with us and getting loads and loads of cuddles. My I-want-a-dog need got an instant boost and might be through the roof now. Just might.
We’re down south! Yesterday we arrived in Kyushu & Arita after a wee bit of delays. Oh well, more time to read my book (reminds me, I should continue this after I post this. Boom!). Yoko and Alyssa greeted us (she’s the cutest!) and later us and Mark headed out for some food and drinks. Today might have started with a wee bit of a headache, but that disappeared and we headed out. The day included a whole heap of driving and stops at a Family Mart to hand over a forgotten drivers license to Yoko, two retail stores to find t-shirts for the festival the boys are heading to next week, one Italian restaurant and some delicious food, a barber and finally a hospital to partake in a couple of Mark’s English classes.
I brought the camera along but only took it up for a couple of minutes while at the barber. Because just look at it – isn’t it epic? Peter’s now sporting a new do. It was about time, his thick mop of hair was growing in all kinds of directions.
A few days ago we headed to Akihabara. We haven’t done a whole lot of touristy things on this trip mainly because, well, that was kind of the point. But this place was on Peter’s to do list. Akihabara is apparently the electronics district (+ the maid cafe area, but we avoided that proper cause a wee bit yuck) and on weekends they stop traffic on the main road. We wandered up and down the middle of this massive road, filled with people just hanging, wandering, photographing. It was kind of neat. I attempted some sort of street photography, trying to be all stealth and stuff with varying results.
When our feet were tired from walking we found this little covered plaza that hosted a bunch of little stalls. They offered sake tastings (+ stuff for sale, of course!), which Peter of course had to try. For me, the sake non-lover a couple of stands offered beer, so we sat down on the sidewalk, people watched and sipped some tasty beverages. Just as we were finishing up I looked up and there was a pet duck. I kid you not. A spanking white duck, on a lead with tiny tiny tiny little red booties. It was odd and quite captivating. I am now wondering if there’s a duck boot store in Tokyo. If yes I’d really like to go. Anyone know of any?
Late night wandering around Shinjuku with its plentiful skyscrapers and lights. So many lights. All the lights!
I celebrated my 2 year businessversary yesterday (of my lil photography baby Gold and Grit) and we did it at Commune 246. Well, we started in the arvo with working from a cafe in said commune (which is like an outdoor food court filled with the cutest lil stands) followed by a bottle of bubbly and vegan treats. Plus we managed to pick a night with a night market so there were a bunch of tiny stalls filled with cute wares. Yay Tokyo, I like you!
