2016-05: Asian tour at age 90

Posted on May 29, 2016 by indiatom

What is the perfect gift for turning 90? In this case, it was a first-ever trip to Asia. February 16^th marked my father’s 90^th birthday. He and one of my three brothers, Dave, made the journey to Tokyo during Golden Week (a Japanese national holiday) to celebrate. The goal was to “see it all in 8 days.”

We started at Meiji Shrine.

We were fortunate to see a spring celebration…

… and several wedding processions.

When we spotted volunteers sweeping up leaves, look who jumped in to help.

Harajuku is always fun for people-watching.

This is the famous “Scramble” in Shibuya.

Can you spot the travelers?

Shibuya is also known for Hachiko, the world’s most loyal dog. Hachiko would greet his owner every day at the train station, which continued for 10 years after his owner’s death.

We had sushi for lunch, which is ordered via tablet, and rail-delivered to the precise tables.

Hmmm… this is a new experience. Let’s give it a try.

Learning new dexterity skills at age 90 is not ideal (we asked for a fork moving forward).

Farther out in Setagaya, we explored the pitch-dark cave under the Tamagawa Daishi Temple, representing the bowels of Buddha, thus bringing us closer to enlightenment.

The world-famous Tsukiji fish market is a seafood-lover’s paradise…

… with endless choice…

… and all parts available for sale.

From there, it was off for haircuts…

… and a straight-razor shave. At age 90, it was a delightful, first-ever experience.

Akiharbara is home to Tokyo’s famous “Electric city,” a game-lover’s mecca…

… where “maids” troll the streets in search of patrons for the Maid Café (theme restaurants are common in Tokyo).

It’s all family-friendly. We had the hamburger lunch…

… which comes with required accessories…

… and a souvenir photo.

That evening, we celebrated the 90^th milestone.

The next morning, a 2-hour drive brought us to Mt. Fuji at sunrise.

At 3776 meters (12,389 feet), Fuji is the highest point in Japan.

Fuji is an active volcano which has been dormant for 300 years.

We were fortunate to catch the Shibazakura Festival with fields of purple and white phlox.

Later that evening, we enjoyed a ballgame at Meiji Jingu Stadium, home of the Yakult Tokyo Swallows…

… where the fans cheer “Go Go Swallows…”

… “and dance with umbrellas upon every score (the Swallows defeated the cross-town Giants 11-2).

The next part of our journey took us to west Japan. Near Hiroshima, we visited the world heritage site, Miyajima Shrine…

… and had front-row seats at lunch for the famous Okonomiyaki pancakes.

Also in Hiroshima, we saw the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome, where August 6, 1945 is etched in the minds of everyone.

This is Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima and Honolulu are sister cities).

We also toured Nagasaki. This is ground zero.

At the nearby Peace Park, “… a symbol of the aspiration for world harmony…”

… we met this 85 year old man, a survivor from that fateful date on August 9, 1945.

He was very warm and friendly, and shared his story openly.

Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki are beautiful, thriving cities.

Using the Shinkansen (bullet train)…

… we visited Kyoto…

… and strolled through several hundred of the 8,000 Shinto gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Family names are etched on the gates.

Many people requested photos with the youthful 90 year old. They were captivated by his bright blue eyes.

Back in Tokyo, we were fortunate to visit a sumo stable.

A dozen sumo wrestlers live and train here.

We watched for two hours as man against man tried to push each other out of the ring.

There was a high school student (on the ground) training with the professionals. He hopes to join the stable next year.

This was a unique experience, and a true highlight.

Tokyo is also known for interactive art. Who do you see?

This is art (not “Whack a Mole”).

The Sensoji Temple is a popular spot…

…showcasing the dichotomy of Tokyo, with both architecture…

… and people.

No, we did not jump to New York City… that’s Tokyo Bay in the background.

Another popular theme dining experience is the Robot Restaurant…

… where battling robots entertain the audience.

After a 2-hour flight the next day, we landed in Seoul, South Korea, and traveled north to the border…

… and stepped into the DMZ (demilitarized zone at the 38^th parallel) separating North and South Korea.

We toured tunnel #3 which was discovered in 1978. Four known tunnels have been found drilled by the North, headed toward Seoul (many more are suspected).

Security was tight throughout the DMZ.

Yes, this is North Korea. As we were there, the first congress of the Workers’ Party in 36 years was convening in Pyongyang to officially coronate Kim Jong-un as supreme leader.

What a trip. We covered a lot of ground in 8 days. Happy 90^th birthday!

(see bonus photos below)

A true highlight was this group who joined our table in Hiroshima. They were very warm, friendly, and highly curious about American politics.

On Friday, May 27, President Obama was the first sitting American President to visit Hiroshima. This was huge news throughout Japan and seen very positively.

2016-03: Sakura – Cherry Blossoms

Posted on April 24, 2016 by indiatom

Spring time in Japan is all about cherry blossoms (Sakura).

The season starts in the south and works it way north, following the path of warmer temperatures.

This year, Tokyo’s blossoms bloomed in late March / early April.

And with Sakura…

….comes Hanami (cherry blossom viewing / picnicking under cherry trees), which dates back to the 8^th century.

People by the millions come out to see the blossoms.

Groups will set their tarps in advance and then hang out all day with their friends.

As at home, shoes are removed.

Tokyo has many parks, with cherry blossoms visible from every angle.

Shutter bugs were everywhere.

The ratio of cameras to people was 1 – 1…

Some with serious equipment…

…and commitment to get the perfect shot.

Many were photographing loved ones.

Many dressed for the occasion…

…and posed perfectly…

… with the aid of selfie sticks.

Dressing up is all part of the season.

Some were more traditional…

…while others chose “cosplay,” (costume / play) to represent a character.

Cosplay is very popular in Japan…

… where you are free to be who you want to be.

Unbeknownst to me until now, cherry trees are woven into the fabric of the city.

I only realized this once they started blooming.

Night viewing is also possible at several locations.

The colorful blossoms are illuminant against the dark sky…

…creating a magical environment.

The “bizarre award” goes to the Kanamara Festival in Kawasaki (note: censorship is required in several upcoming photos to maintain the family-friendly nature of this blog).

People flocked by the thousands on this rainy Sunday.

Police kept the crowds under control…

… and joined in the spirit (this is a real policeman).

Parade participants prepared for their roles.

Spectators came in costume…

…all kinds of costumes.

This man is being himself…

… while this virile beast drew a crowd.

There were interviews (note: there is only one female in this photo).

When it was time to start the festivities, cameras clicked by the thousands.

The Kanamara Festival celebrates fertility…

… and the male part of this equation was paraded through town.

Frenzied revelers purchased themed lollypops.

Ceremonial bows and prayers were offered…

…while selfie sticks framed the perfect shot.

We enjoyed our first Sakura in Japan and marveled at the enthusiasm and spirit of Hanami. ts

Additional note: The Kumamoto earthquakes of mid-April were quite devastating with nearly 50 people killed and some 80,000 displaced and seeking shelter. We did not feel these quakes (we are a 2 hour flight from the epicenter), however, we have experienced many “little” quakes here in Tokyo. We can tell you that as an island nation created over millions of years by earthquakes and volcanos, Japan is constantly in motion. Earthquakes are always on the mind.

2016-02: Tokyo Marathon

Posted on February 28, 2016 by indiatom

It was perfect weather for the 2016 Tokyo Marathon on Sunday.

37,000 lucky participants queued for several city blocks in anticipation (organizers received more than 10 times that number of applications).

Before queueing for the race…

… there was another very important queue.

BMW was a sponsor.

Tokyo is one of the “Big 6” World Marathons Majors. The others include Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

Dignitaries were in position…

… and the race started with wheelchair participants. They zip through the course at speeds up to 30 km / hr.

Five minutes later, it was time for the masses. They started under a shower of confetti (it took nearly 30 minutes for all 37,000 runners just to reach the starting line).

The runners were serenaded by a men’s choir as they began their journey through the streets of Tokyo.

The marathon course is exactly 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 kilometers). The origins date back to 490 BC with the legend of Greek messenger, Pheidiopides, who ran non-stop from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce victory before collapsing and dying. Thus the race’s name and distance were set.

Not everyone was satisfied with the standard racer’s wardrobe.

Note the crayons..

… and the minion…

I wonder whose idea it was to wear tutus.

Why a goose head? It’s clearly not for aerodynamics.

After witnessing the start, we were bussed to the finish line.

And 2 hours, 6 minutes and 56 seconds after starting the race in Shinjuku…

… Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia was the first to cross the finish line in Odaiba.

About 15 minutes later, Helah Kiprop won her first major marathon with a course-record of 2:21:27.

Hundreds were on hand at the finish to cheer the runners…

… only 195 meters to go.

We witnessed both pain and joy on the runners’ faces as their goal was reached.

After crossing the finish line, several collapsed — thoroughly exhausted.

Prizes were awarded in a concluding ceremony, starting with men’s wheelchair…

… then women’s wheelchair.

Men’s runners were next…

…followed by the women.

It was a great event. Congratulations to all who participated. ts

2016-01: Bringing in the new year

Posted on January 24, 2016 by indiatom

New Year’s is the most celebrated holiday in Japan with the long-standing tradition of visiting a Buddhist temple at midnight.

The Buddhist monks offer prayers through their chants and strike a bell 108 times to rid us of the 108 human sins and evil desires.

Outside, people queued to strike this bell (once per person) as a symbolic connection to the ceremony.

Less than seven hours later, it was time to see the first sunrise of the year, another Japanese tradition.

Prayers during the glow of the first morning light bring good fortune.

Visiting a Shinto shrine early in a new year is also important.

Meiji Shrine in Tokyo receives about 10 million visitors a year, and 3 million of them come during the first week of January. It is the most popular shrine in Japan.

People queue for hours…

… wash their hands and take a small drink of water…

… and then offer their prayers, or Hatsumode.

They toss some money…

… clap twice and pray for a prosperous new year.

Just past the shrine, people write prayers on wooden ‘ema’ slivers…

… and hang them here.

An Omikuji fortune for the year is obtained for 100 yen. After a good shake of the box, a wooden stick is selected which corresponds to your fortune.

There are six levels of fortune ranging from very good to very bad. My fortune was second best and encouraged me to not be envious, to refuse conflict, and to keep smiling.

Bad fortunes are tied here (to leave them behind), and good fortunes are typically carried in the wallet.

Omamori, or good luck charms, are readily available. Each charm has a specific mission, including health for family, good business, traffic accident avoidance, to pass an exam or find a partner.

Hamaya, or “demon-breaking arrow,” wards off misfortune and attracts good luck.

2016 is the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese Zodiac, which is also recognized in Japan. If you were born in 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, or 1908, then you are curious, clever and mischievous (a practical joker). You are also inventive and able to solve difficult problems with ease.

Just outside the shrine, the Christians were in full recruitment mode. They lined the entrance to Meiji Shrine with ‘come to Jesus’ messages blaring from loudspeakers in Japanese.

This Buddhist temple sits in the heart of Tokyo…

…which is flanked by Ojizousan statues. Red caps show thanks for protecting a child from illness, or to protect a child in the afterlife.

Fortunes and good luck symbols of the previous year are burned. Out with old, in with the new.

Entrances to many homes and buildings are decorated with a pine and bamboo kadomatsu, to welcome the Shinto gods. It expresses the desire to obtain virtue and strength to overcome adversity.

The post office is extremely busy on January 1^st. They hire extra help to assure the New Year’s Day postcard arrives on New Year’s Day.

Traditional food at new year’s is buckwheat soba noodles and mochi rice cakes (pictured) for a long life.

But my personal highlight of the new year started here on January 2^nd…

…where I joined a queue with tens of thousands of people.

The Imperial Palace is only opened to visitors twice a year (the Emperor’s birthday, and for his new year’s message).

Here’s a sign that wasn’t required only a few years ago.

As we crossed the bridge, looking to the left we see the palace grounds…

… and looking to the right, we see the Tokyo skyline.

The throng moves patiently closer…

… and once inside the courtyard, we stand and wait 30 minutes.

Then with a flurry of flag waving…

…the Imperial family appears.

In his annual new year’s greeting, 82 year old Emperor Akihito said: “From the start of this New Year, I pray for peace for our nation and for the world.”

The Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world with 125 monarchs dating back to 660 BC.

His speech lasted 2 minutes, which was followed by a minute of waving, and then it was over.

Yes, we queued for more than an hour to get 3 minutes with the Emperor, but it was worth it. Thousands more were ready to enter behind us (the Emperor repeated his message five times that day).

Jumping ahead to January 11^th, the second Monday of the new year is a national holiday.

Seijin-shiki is a coming-of-age ceremony. Everyone who turns 20 years old between April 2015 and March 2016 participates. This is the age when people are considered adults (and the legal drinking age).

This tradition dates back to the year 714, but the official holiday began in 1948 with the focus on children as the future. Typically, everyone gathers at the city hall where the mayor or senior government official makes a speech. Attendees receive a gift (a dictionary, for example).

The men where dark suits, but the women go all-out, spending about 100,000 yen ($850 USD) for the kimono and accessories.

Since they will likely wear the kimono only once, most kimonos are rentals (single girls wear long sleeves, and once married, will switch to short sleeves).

Finally, in the early-morning sun of mid-January, we visited Mt. Fuji (which included Kayla’s college friend, Lea).

The majestic mountain dominates the landscape…

… providing a spectacular show at sunset.

There’s a glimpse of new year’s traditions in Japan. I hope your year is off to a good start. ts

2015-15: Christmas in Tokyo

Posted on December 27, 2015 by indiatom

An unusually warm autumn resulted in a later-than-normal foliage season. The following photos were all taken in mid-December.

Ginkgo trees are the standard throughout Tokyo. Their bright-yellow leaves dominate the city.

However, the fiery-red leaves of the maple trees stand out in the crowd.

A field of Bonsai trees creates this juxtaposition with the Tokyo skyline.

The Imperial Palace in the heart of Tokyo brings all the colors of autumn together for a spectacular show.

Tokyo is also known for lights at Christmas time.

Displays range from the traditional…

…to modern…

… or very modern.

Lights can be very simple and elegant…

… or put on a show to music.

This Baccarat chandelier is 5 x 3 meters (16 ½ x 10’) – making it one of the largest chandeliers in the world.

This German-style Christmas market, complete with bier and glühwein, features the world’s-largest ‘Christmas pyramid’ imported from Dresden (it’s 14 meters, or 46 feet tall).

This hotel captures the holiday spirit in a very simple, can’t-miss, fashion.

One important note: Christmas is NOT a national holiday in Japan. It’s a regular work day. Offices are open, mail is delivered, etc.

But the western influence is unmistakable. The light displays and decorations clearly draw attention, and big crowds.

Yes, Christmas trees for the home can be found. Prices range from 12,000 – 35,000 Yen ($100 – $300 USD).

And yes, Santa is here as well.

But one of the biggest surprises about Christmas in Japan centers on KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken for us old-timers).

Some 40 years ago, Americans living in Japan went in search of a turkey substitute at Christmas and landed at KFC.

The clever marketing folks at KFC capitalized the idea with the slogan Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii! (Kentucky for Christmas!).

Many Japanese people now think that Americans eat KFC at Christmas.

Additionally, they also think Americans polish-off their KFC with Strawberry cake (prices here range from 2,700 – 4,700 Yen, or $22 – $39 USD).

Convenience stores are well stocked (note: the previous KFC and cake photos were all taken on Christmas day).

Kayla and Nana arrived in time to celebrate here in Tokyo. Merry Christmas to all. ts

2015-14: Food

Posted on November 29, 2015 by indiatom

Where is a good place to shop for dinner in Japan? 7-11 of course.

As difficult as this is for American’s to believe, convenience stores are a common source of prepared meals.

The food is fresh…

… and healthy…

… with lots of variety.

Banking services are also available.

At a recent street fair, I marveled how this dough was prepared. In perfect synchronized rhythm, one man flipped the dough as the other pounded it with this wooden hammer. There are no margins for error.

I noticed that food is commonly served on sticks.

It’s easy to prepare and serve.

Even vegetables come on sticks…

… and ham …

…and fish…

…lots of fish…

… and dessert.

Green tea is everywhere in Japan…

… and even Haagen-Dazs has captured the tastes of the local market.

This eye-catching display at a department store brings attention to kitchen appliances.

Fortunately at this restaurant, they had an English menu. Does anyone want to try the Teppo?

Queues are common in Japan. People will patiently queue for hours for food.

In this case, it was a 2-hour wait for the first ever Shake Shack in Japan.

Eggs are a diet staple in Japan. These are non-fertilized eggs which are low-fat and with a light taste.

And these are fertilized eggs where roosters are mixed with hens — for a wild and strong taste.

And here’s the story about the chickens who laid the eggs. They live in a stress-free environment, eat rice and drink natural ground water.

Japan is known for both technology and Sushi, and at this restaurant, the two are merged. Here, Lynda is placing her order via touch-screen.

The food is delivered moments later via a tray on a track. The order was accurate and served highly efficiently, and yes, it was also very entertaining.

Food is an essential identifier of any culture, and as an Island nation, Japan’s diet starts with the sea.

The Tsukiji fish market is world renowned for its fresh seafood. Chefs can be very inventive…

…creating hot and fresh treats for tourists.

Displays are eye-catching.

Greg sent this photo of his dinner plate from a school field trip (we know he went hungry that night).

This photo was taken from Lynda’s favorite grocery store, which sits above our local train station.

It’s very small by American standards, but they do have a wide variety of choice…

… but aquatic food dominates…

… with an assortment of choices…

…in all kinds of shapes…

… and packages.

This store also has snacks. But wait, what’s that in the lower right?

… this snack has eyes.

As exciting as it is to explore new dietary cultures, nothing beats your own culinary upbringing. Lynda prepared a sumptuous turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes and corn. Happy Thanksgiving to all. ts

2015-13: Take me out to the ballgame

Posted on October 18, 2015 by indiatom

Friday night, people came streaming out of the Ginza metro line.

This “catch man” was hawking his offer…

…for bento boxes, including noodles and edamame.

This man had a few extra tickets…

… to Jingu Stadium, home of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, where they were about to take on their cross-town rivals, Yomiuri Giants. The intimate Jingu Stadium is perfectly nestled in the heart of Tokyo and comfortably seats 37,933 (80% cheering for the Swallows, while the Giants fans were relegated to one section of the outfield bleachers).

Baseball was introduced in Japan in the 1930’s. In fact, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played exhibition games here in 1934 to help build popularity for the sport.

There are 12 professional teams in Japan, divided between the Central and Pacific Leagues. Generally speaking, there are three parts to each team name: The city, the corporate sponsor, and the team nickname (for example, Yakult is a yogurt company).

Team names include Tigers, Giants, Golden Eagles, Buffalos, Lions and Hawks. Other team names are Bay Stars, Ham Fighters, and my favorite name, Carp. Yes, the Carp play in Hiroshima at Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium.

The Giants are the “NY Yankees of baseball” here in Japan with 22 championships. They have deep pockets and buy the best players.

The 25-man roster team cannot have more than four foreign players. The Swallows lineup includes Wladimir Balentien (formerly of the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds) and Logan Ondrusek, a former Reds player.

This is playoff season and the Swallows and Giants are in the midst of a best of six series (no, that’s not a typo). Since the Swallows won their division during the 143 game regular season, they are awarded one win before the Climax Series begins. Therefore, the Swallows only need to win three games whereas the Giants need to win four before progressing onto the All Nippon Series, the Japanese version of the World Series. [As an aside, it’s a bit hyperbolic to think that only two countries are eligible to compete in the “World” Series].

Japanese baseball has all the elements an American fan would recognize, including a program guide…

…t-shirts…

… and food.

Although, this food requires chop sticks.

Liquid refreshment is also important, and it’s carried by this women.

Beer is poured fresh from the backpack.

The team mascot, Tsubakuro Swallow, was quite active throughout the game…

…and he knows all the cheerleading moves.

The fans of both teams cheered enthusiastically throughout all nine innings, aided by pairs of hollow plastic bats that created a thunderous beat with thousands of fans striking them in rhythmic unison.

There were songs and chants throughout the game, mostly in Japanese, but also with plenty of English mixed in. I will always remember chanting, “Let’s go Nakamura!”

The fan favorite chant is, “Go Go Swallows!”

The one aspect that varies from American baseball involves rain. It rains frequently in Japan, and Friday night was no exception. Rain came down, heavily at times, during the entire second half of the game, however there were no delays.

The fans all came equipped with umbrellas and rain jackets and maintained their high level of enthusiasm throughout.

And the players continued the game without hesitation.

During the 7^th inning stretch, a Japanese song played and dancing umbrellas ensued…

… it was a sea of dancing umbrellas.

Eight of us from the office enjoyed watching the Swallows defeat the Giants 2 – 0 Friday night.

Update: The Swallows defeated the Giants again Saturday night to advance to the Nippon Series where they will face the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Enjoy. ts

2015-12: Atop Mt. Fuji

Posted on September 13, 2015 by indiatom

Iconic Mt. Fuji lies about 100 km (60 miles) south-west of Tokyo. Here’s the view from the train between Tokyo and Osaka.

I had recently met Ralph, an American who moved to Tokyo with his family six months ago, who also wanted to climb Fuji. After a winding drive up to station 5 at 2000 meters (6560 feet), we hit the Subashiri Trail at 5 am. Subashiri is one of four trails on Fuji.

The sunrise was spectacular.

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 3776 meters (12,389 feet). It is an active volcano which last erupted in 1708.

Shade was available at the lower levels…

… but soon disappeared as we ascended above the tree line.

We caught the very tail end of the hiking season which runs from mid-July to mid-September.

There are several stations along the way…

… selling refreshments (although, I can’t imagine sake is a good idea).

We had perfect weather with stunning views. However, altitude and oxygen work inversely. Breathing became more difficult, and each step became more labored under the thinning air and unfiltered sun.

Only 376 more meters to go.

Resting along the way is necessary.

After seven hours and 15 minutes, we reached the summit gate.

And then the peak.

The volcanic crater was formed in 1708 after the last eruption.

Here’s the view from the top of the world.

Fuji is more than 400 meters higher than Mammoth Mountain’s 11,000 foot summit in California (where I had worked some 26 years ago).

We began our decent at 1:00 pm, which was also challenging. The leg muscles that provide “braking” were heavily taxed.

After 4 ½ hours, we returned to our starting point just before sunset. All in all, we tackled Mt. Fuji in 12 ½ hours. It was grueling and exhausting, but highly rewarding. Enjoy. ts

2015-11: Hot and Humid

Posted on August 23, 2015 by indiatom

Everyone warned us, and yes it’s true. Tokyo summers are hot and humid with 36° C (97° F) and humidity regularly crossing into the 90% zone. It’s ‘Miami’ hot and humid.

People carry hand towels to soak up the sweat.

Umbrellas are used to shield the sun (thousands have been treated at hospitals for heat stroke and 32 deaths have been reported).

Self-propelled hand fans are also common.

This store has many choices…

… in many colors.

This queue at a train station caught my attention. What could possibly create this much demand?

People are patiently waiting for little “thank you gifts” at a reduced price from the train operator. And the most popular item is the hand towel.

Here’s another way to stay cool.

Construction workers have a tough job in the hot sun. What are they doing here? Is it the YMCA? No, they are bending and stretching before starting work.

Cicadas are quite vocal. I can’t see them, but the sounds emanating from the trees is a clear signal of summer.

School children wear summer outfits.

Obon is celebrated in mid-summer when grave sites are cleaned and spirits of deceased are welcomed back into the home. This 3-day tradition began more than 500 years ago.

This bit of shade is very clever…

… and is created by weaving tree branches through this lattice.

Another common cooling method is shaved ice.

This is a very popular summertime treat.

A 50 minute train ride brought us here to Kamakura Beach.

There are lots of beach rules…

… and police enforcement.

The goal is to keep the beach family-oriented.

We wondered why no one was going into the water beyond knee deep…

… and here’s why. Sharks had been recently sighted nearby.

Japan is known for summertime fireworks. We enjoyed a 90 minute show over Tokyo bay.

Fans of the book / move Hachikō will recognize this statue. Hachikō greeted his owner each day at the Shibuya train station, and when the man died, Hachikō awaited his owner’s return each day for the remainder of his life (nearly 10 years).

Also in Shibuya, this appears to be a typical intersection.

However, right on cue, all the traffic lights turn red…

… and then the people move.

This is known as the Shibuya Scramble.

And finally, we recently visited an Onsen. As Japan is a volcanically active country, naturally hot water (40° C — 104° F) from geothermally heated springs provides healing powers from its mineral content. Enjoy. ts

2015-10: D.C. sights

Posted on July 24, 2015 by indiatom

A recent trip to the U.S. included a visit to the nation’s capital.

Bike rentals are easily accessible.

The Capitol Building is home to the Senate (100 members) and House of Representatives (435 members), collectively known as the United States Congress.

The landmark Washington Monument, made of marble, granite and bluestone gneiss, is the world’s tallest stone structure.

Construction began on July 4, 1848 and wasn’t completed until 40 years later in 1888. There was a 23 year construction stoppage due to lack of funds and the American Civil War (note the change in coloration about a quarter of the way up).

Abraham Lincoln, the nation’s 16^th President, is honored here.

The U.S. would likely be two different countries today if it hadn’t been for Lincoln’s determination to preserve the union.

Arguably, here are the most famous 10 sentences in American history – The Gettysburg Address. “Four score and seven years ago…” Lincoln was the master of succinctness.

This rental property comes up for lease every four years. Tenants often renew, but not always. This house even comes with a man who stands on the roof all day watching you watch him.

America’s 2^nd President, John Adams, was the first to occupy the White House. 43 out of 44 Presidents have resided here (George Washington lived in New York City and then Philadelphia during the construction of the city that bears his name).