Eating in Japan

There are all kinds of food in Japan. I didn't have enough time to try the full range of food. Of course there is the proverbial ramen. Even the humble ramen has been elevated into some gourmet status but little mom and pop stalls still sell the very basic and can be very cheap. Eating in Japan can be very economical. I was under the impression that its expensive to travel in Japan. Like any other country there are the expensive luxury places to eat and stay and there are the economical places to stay and eat. I ate the ramen at some stall in an alley, away from the tourists, just the locals and a few savvy travelers like me. I think I paid USD7 for this meal. It was too much to eat. I came back the next evening and ate less. I had lunch at a Muji cafe. Muji is a chain store in Japan and is expanding to the the USA. Some of their stores has restaurants. This was a very simple and delicious meal, costs a little more, I think, it was USD13. The little brown bowl had multi grain rice, very nice. There was a bakery in Ginza and I munched on this baguette. I told this French guy seated next to me, 'its as good as in France!' to which he replied in a very French accent, 'impossible!' Unless its very touristy, it was very economical travel, just eat where the locals eat, a beef bowl with rice and cabbage costs USD5 which was what I ate towards the last 3 days of my trip, together with a lot of local men who just finished work.

Shibuya crossing 2

OR YOU CAN SIT DOWN TO SOME ICE TEA AND CAKE AND WATCH THE ACTION FROM ABOVE. Here I'm sitting at L'occitane cafe on the third floor and looking down at the action below as people crossed the streets. One guidebook recommended even going higher to the Hikarie building. I did go there but it was too far to be any good. This was the best vantage point and oh so comfortable.

Shibuya crossing

This is among the most posted shots on the Internet, the crossing at Shibuya. You come out of the station at the Hachiko exit and this is what you will see. Its more dramatic at night when the neon lights of the surrounding stores are all lit up. The green crossing light change simultaneously and everyone crosses in all directions. I arrived here at night because my hotel for the first 3 nights was in Shibuya. Imagine, tired and bewildered as I was when I first arrived and to arrive to see this. It was quite exciting. I really love the Shibuya district, its not the most fancy but it is compact. All the major shops and restaurants are close together. The public transit system in Tokyo is vast and crazy but it was easier to get around than I had anticipated. I really like Tokyo.

Next year?

Imagine these trees filled with cherry bosoms. Next year?

The rites of Spring

As the weather warms up, there appears from the earth strange things, lovely wild flowers that had hibernated all winter, shoots like ramps show up in the woods, fern heads and even the white asparagus. I was surprised that the white asparagus was harvested and sent to market in their dirt so as not to expose them to sunlight where they'll turn green. They are so prized because of their lack of color. All in one morning at the Tokyo Tsukiji fish market.

Rain or shine

It was raining hard the next morning in Takayama but I have this trusty rain poncho. Its the most useful thing. I went 5 such ponchos on my last trip, my 3 month trip to Scandinavia. I have a new one that a friend sent me which will be taken out on my next trip in a few weeks. But rain or shine I'm out there snapping pictures.

Takayama, a morning market

The next morning after arriving in Takayama, it was raining heavily but it didn't deter me or anyone else. Every visitor donned on rain gear and went out anyway. A couple of small morning markets began to start along the river. The river had 2 lacquered bridges, this is what Takayama is famous for, their lacquer work. The markets were both very small but it was pleasant enough to wander along the river to participate. They brought whatever they had growing in their yards or farms, Spring has just broken through in these mountains, so it was quite slim pickings.

More cherry blossoms

Meanwhile back in Tokyo, I was able to locate more cherry blossoms. I never understood why it was such a big deal until I came and saw it in person. They are a big deal. I would have loved to come earlier in the season. I intend to come next year at the height of the cherry blossom season because it is truly a big deal. During the height of the season picnics are being held in parks and people just meander around places where the blossoms are and enjoy the beautiful sight.

Takayama, Japan

Spring comes later in the mountains. So while cherry blossoms were all but disappeared, it was just beginning to appear in the mountains. I took a shinkansen or a bullet train from Tokyo to Nagoya, changed trains and went up to the 'alps of Japan.' I missed the train I was actually booked on because of a case of lost translation. My ticket said '8.20am' and I keep asking where I would be leaving from? The ticket clerk said, 'Shibuya' where I bought my ticket. But the truth was my train will leave Tokyo station at 8.20am and I am to get there anytime before then. I left Shibuya at 8.20am and got to Tokyo station 20 minutes later to find the 8.20 train has left. There are lots of trains and I jumped on the next train and off I went. The trains in Japan are incredible. You can get a reserved seat but if not, each train has a few carriages that are for non reserved seats. Just ask the station people or the carriages have signs that say 'reserved' or 'non reserved'.

Cherry blossoms in Japan

The height of the season was over in Tokyo and as I went around hunting for them, I found a few trees still in bloom in the city. I blame myself for coming so late and missing the season. But whatever I found was still so beautiful, these billowy blooms that so epitomizes Japan. I never understood their mystic till I came and saw them. Now Im really hooked. I want to return next year to see them in full bloom all over the city!

Chasing cherry blossoms

I just arrived back from Tokyo after spending 9 days chasing cherry blossoms. I was praying I wasn't too late and that I'll find some. They are mostly over in Tokyo even though I found some late blooms. But during its height, the whole of Tokyo would be filled with these beautiful blooms. I went up to the mountains and they were just getting their share of the blooms. This is not my picture but an advertisement for train rides during cherry blossom season to see all the places where cherry trees are. It is quite a phenomenon, a must see in this one's lifetime. I was apprehensive before I went to Japan but I was pleasantly surprised how easy and fun it was.

Nikolai Astrup

On the eve of my trip to Tokyo, I'm getting my camera battery charged up and sorting through my huge collection of memory cards. I went through some of the photos of my summer trip and found a collection of what I took of the paintings of Nikolai Astrup. He's a Norwegian painter and most of his works can be seen at the museum in Bergen, Norway. He, more than, Munch, really captured the essence of Norwegian life. He grew up in such a setting, little village, the white church where his father was the preacher and gorgeous fjord views. I adore his work. Norway is still my most favorite country.

Tokyo, Japan

The cherry blossoms are in bloom. I hope I won't be too late to see them. I'm going to Tokyo in a few days and am very excited.

Sweden

I would say it is one of the most beautiful country in the world. It is glorious in summer. They have such short but splendorous summers. It wasn't that expensive and much easier to travel in than what most people say. Don't believe what people say, go check it out for yourself. I did and I'm never the same.

April 2016

The year is going by fast and before you know it, its time to wander around the world. I was in Toronto for 2 weeks visiting my elderly parents. In 10 days I head over to Tokyo to look for some creative ideas. The Japanese are such creative people and its only fit that one goes there in search of fresh ideas. Then I'll do England and Italy. I can't wait to be back in Rome. I'm a devout Christian and I was thinking this morning, I feel Rome to be more evocative spiritually than Jerusalem. I love Rome more than Jerusalem. Then I'll hunker down the rest of the year to work out the ideas I would have collected.

Happy Easter

Today is Good Friday. I'm going to church in a few hours. Happy Easter.

A lazy Finnish summer

Here on the island of Nagu in the Turku archipelago are some of the prettiest cottages. I was here in the summer of 2015. The saying goes, 'find a beautiful spot in the world and get lost in it'. Does it apply here? It sure is a very beautiful spot.

Hostels, air bnb, couch surfing

There are so many ways to save while traveling. While I've never spent time in an Air BNB or done any couch surfing, I've stayed in a lot of hostels. I think its a blessing that at my age I'm still able to stay in hostels with all kinds of young people. What is this? A decommissioned naval vessel that is now a hostel. If I can find a hostel I usually stay longer. I stayed 5 days here and paid USD100 in total, had my own cabin and shower.This was Turku in Finland. I'd do it again.

Welcome to Hel(sinki)

Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway, which is my most favorite? I can't choose. I love them all. Even if you don't venture far from the capital city, you'll still be in awe because each is so different even though they are right next to each other. Here at the harbor front and there are many harbors but this is where the market place is. There are vendors who set up their stalls on their boats selling smoked fish and potatoes. It is very busy and crowded in summer because of the numerous tourists from all over the world, but mainly from China. It is a festival every day in summer.

Spring and wild flowers

I've used this photo many times. It was taken in Greece in Spring a few years ago. As I approached the hill at Mystra I thought I was seeing red poppies. They were not poppies but anemones. What a delight it was. I went to Israel the next Spring because I read that these red anemones grow in such abundance. I did see some. Since then my goal was to see wild flowers wherever they may be found. I saw a lot in Scandinavia, different kinds, lupins and that was really wonderful. I know its the trend in England, to leave wide swathes of land covered with wild flowers. Its good for ecological diversity. It gives a valuable habitat to the birds, bees, butterflies and other critters. It is a sustainable practice.

London

I'm planning to go back to England again this year. I can't get enough of England. Even as I criss cross the world, my heart still loves England. The best time to visit is in June. There are a few great hostels that makes London and even England affordable. There are also a lot of cheap eats, sandwich shops and the like that again makes London affordable. Besides all the museums in London are free. It gets very very crowded. The best treat is Regents park, right in the centre of London. Tucked in one corner of Regents park is the Queen Mary rose garden which boasts of 4000 varieties of roses. There are so many old fashion English roses that it can melt the hearts of even the most stone hearted people. You have to pay to into Kew garden but Regents park is free!

Next ebook

'I traveled solo in Europe for 3 months in the summer of 2015' is almost completed, worked on it for 6 months. I've already started on the next ebook, 'Some English gardens' While there are so many gardens in England, I'm going to visit a few that are accessible on trains and buses, that is, ones that can be reached without a car. I have just returned from Toronto after visiting my parents who live there. I go to Tokyo for 10 days next month and I have to plan for my trip to England to visit these gardens. I'm doing the research right now and I'm excited. Come with me in my ebooks.

Travel plans

Around Stockholm are numerous little islands and there are numerous ferries that criss cross the archipelago. Many Swedish people own little summer cottages around the archipelago but you don;t have to own anything to visit these pretty places. It is glorious in summer. When you are in Stockholm, just head to the ferry terminals, jump on any ferry and head out. The sea is calm, the sun is usually shining though it sometimes rain. Everyone is smiling and happy. Its an incredible place to be in.

Is it Spring yet?

I am in Toronto right now and it snowed yesterday. We are still buried in snow. No sign of Spring yet and not for a while.

Summer, I'm ready for you

Freetown Christiania, Denmark, Summer 2015

St Ives, Cornwall, England

In August 2015, love to go back.

Hungry in Berlin

At Roamers, I ordered too much food. A girl in the next table wanted to take some pictures of my food. I let her. The food was really good as I slowly polished it off. I ordered eggs and I didn't know it came with toast. So I made another order of toast and ended up with 2 orders of toast. They didn't go to waste, I finished everything.

Brunch in Berlin

Roamers is a tiny cafe in Berlin. Its been written up by many blogs. So I had to go there. I was early and was able to snag a seat inside the cafe but there were a lot of people eating and waiting outside. The food was really good, the ambience was excellent. I'd go again if I'm ever in Berlin again.

Eating in York, England

Its roast beef and Yorkshire pudding everyday, all day...only in York. One can smell the roasting of beef or pork throughout the town. Its a wonderful town. For 2 pounds one can buy an envelop of crackling, just crackling. Here I was having a pork bun with crackling.

King Henry VIII

St Mary's Abbey, now still as majestic as it was before the decree of King Henry VIII. He needed money for his numerous military campaigns and ordered the dissolution of Catholic monasteries, Abbeys, Priories and Friaries. He sold off their properties and confiscated their income. This led to many beautiful Abbeys in ruins. This as what remained of St Mary's Abbey in York. It sits high on a steep incline and is now part of a municipal garden. It is a beautiful place to spend a few hours roaming the gorgeous grounds.

Ribe, Denmark

Summer in Denmark, I wish for it again. To see the many rose bushes and hollyhocks leaning against the houses. What a summer it was.

Sunday in Cambridge, England

I was in Cambridge one Sunday in June 2015. It was early in the morning still when I arrived on the train from London. As I walked between the overgrown narrow lanes past the numerous churches I hear the familiar sound of the liturgy of the Anglican church being said. I remember this liturgy well after having grown up with it. But in the time I spent in the USA I've gone to other churches which does not use the Anglican church liturgy. Today I've come full circle, going back to an Episcopal church in my Los Angeles neighborhood and saying again a very similar liturgy. Its almost time to go to church. Have a great Sunday.

Hole foods

Hole foods is a vegan restaurant in Mousehole, Cornwall, a little seaside village wuite like Port Wen in the BBC TV series 'Doc Martin.' It is as sweet as Port Wen or Port Isaac or whichever name you want to use. I took the bus there from Penzance and walked round this adorable village full of English holiday makers, renting the numerous self catering cottages. I had a vegan English fry up which was quite nasty. What's in a vegan sausage? Lots of bread crumbs!

Ash wednesday

Humans are inherently religious. At Stonehenge, thousands of years ago, they worshipped the stones. Its amazing. There are no stones like these in the area but how did they move stones that weigh tons to this area? People are still trying to uncover this mystery. Here in August 2015 and on a very rainy day, I was here, trying to figure it out.

Fat Tuesday

Eat up. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. An English fry up is always called for on any visit to England. There are places that advertises them and you can't help but plop your butt down and order it. Here in St Ives, it wasn't any different. I arrived on an empty stomach by bus and every restaurant was trying to lure visitors in with their full English breakfast. I found a cute cafe and had a full English breakfast.

Unfinished business

My next project is England, as I like it. I love the cottage gardens and one can find them even in London. Here at Lambeth Palace garden, it was closed when I was here. But what I saw outside was still enthralling. This is a decommissioned church but it was closed when I was here in August 2015.

Next project, England, as I like it

One of the most delightful things about England are its cottage gardens. Besides the wonderful big estates and gardens are small nondescript gardens which can be found even in crowded London. I found this in the Temple area of London, it was not small, it was quite sizable for London. But in London there are big garden parks. I took the bus to Hampstead Heath one morning which to my amazement was a huge wide and wild space. Regents' park is another huge garden space replete with formal gardens but the most amazing part is the Queen Mary rose garden containing 4,000 varieties of roses. If roses are your thing, the best time to see it is the first 2 weeks of June. The collection of old fashioned roses is found nowhere else in such abundance. You'll be so enthralled.

Finnish bookstore

Bookstore window in Turku, Finland.