Tokyo Disney

We decided to take the subway and trains rather than drive to Disney. We headed out with our subway maps....and we TOOK THE TOWN. LOL 


Disney was amazing. Stacia was thrilled before we even entered the gate! LOL  Zander and Nolan really loved the roller coaster rides. 

Somehow we bought one extra childs' ticket .....so Michael found one family to bless...which was totally fun! AND somehow we lost a child in this photo! LOL

I just realized I've not mentioned who CHRIS is in the other blog posts. Chris was a college classmate of Michael's. I met her when I was 18 - nearly 30 years ago. Who would have guessed  we'd ever be standing in Tokyo Disney together. Chris (and her hubs) are dear friends, but we don't cross paths often. She was able to fly to Tokyo the same time we were there and so she did. Chris is an intercessor and I believe she was praying for specific things that will bear fruit in the kingdom. I also know she was sent 4,000 miles to bring words of encouragement and life to Michael and I.  It was a precious time.  And now you know who the woman in the photos is. 

I was struck by how clean and how CROWDED Tokyo Disney was. The lines were long on a school day....go figure.

All in all a good day, a tiring day.....a day we may repeat again if we can figure out when there may be less folks so that we could actually do a few more things. When you wait 50 - 75 min for a 3 - 5 min ride....well....the day goes quickly. LOL Here are a few shots.

As strange as it is, I saw this sign, "Kingdom Treasures," and knew God was speaking to me. He has my attention.  Our PWOCI theme this year is "Your Kingdom Come". I'm not sure if Kingdom Treasures is a private word, or a thought that will grow into a blog entry or a local spring retreat...but I know it is ringing in my heart....and has my mind whirling. I'm paying attention.

Tinkerbell and an array of Disney characters and princes were taken with Jared and Arielle. 

I was sad there were not more "characters" running around. We remember running into Mickey, Winnie, Snow White, Cinderella, Minnie at Disneyland Anaheim when we took the older kids.....not sure why they weren't out and about here. Has Disney downsized world-wide? We saw one Mickey with a line that would take about an hour to get a photo. Shoot....they were lined up across the plaza to take a photo in front of a statue of Walt and Mickey.

Stacia's all about the photo these days and would have loved one with Winnie the Pooh.


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Adventures in Tokyo

While the men climbed Mt Fuj, Chris, Arielle, Zander, Stacia and I went in search of adventure. 


We started with a hearty breakfast buffet. Then we left the New Sanno and headed LEFT...a new direction for us. ::grin:: We walked past the French Embassy, up a very narrow street and to Arisugawa Park.  It's always amazing to step under the trees and hear the noise of crickets begin instantly. This park had fishing, streams, bridges, trees and  a bit of playground. 

When we thought we'd exhausted the possibilities at the park we walked back to the New Sanno. On the way I was dive bombed by a crow.... see other post. LOL  The walk back to the hotel was interesting.

We let the young ones swim for an hour.

 Then we met up with a tour guide for the Gray Lines and enjoyed an  afternoon tour. This was a good decision. We were able to see more than we would have on our own - we would have stayed longer at each stop. This way we knew we wouldn't get lost.....and we enjoyed several new experiences.  I'll write more about this when I get the photos off the cell phone.

And the Fuji story is still coming.....honest. I'm waiting for one of the men to write it.


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fun Signs in Arisugawa Park

I LOVE how folks are conscious of others even at the park. 

Crows got the last laugh!

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Unusual Zoo Photos

Hint: read the signs.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Ueno Koen (Park)

One of our phrases in Pimsleur was "Ueno ekki wa doco desu ka?" and the kids kept saying, "When we EVER use THAT phrase in Misawa?" 


Well  - not in Misawa but it came in handy today. Our waiter this a.m. suggested we go to Ueno Koen (park). We'd head to Ueno Ekki (station), then we could see nature, museums, zoo, play.....


I was thrilled to be able to lead everyone from New Sanno to Hiroo station. I realized I've had some experiences they've not had yet...Tokyo, subways, metro train, shinkansen.... At the train station I was able to use the famous phrase, UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSE (couldn't do that a year ago), and make the correct response back.  Below the kids and Chris are about to step on to their first Tokyo subway. 

He could have SAT but loved this stance.....I think he's made for big city life. LOL 

Tokyo is an AMAZING city with some STUNNING architectural features. 

Locusts......

There were LOTS of them.....all around....

See them in the background here too....

More Water Lily/Locusts in the background there...TALL....not sure WHAT this shrine was for...but since it had a pair of glasses on it - I figured it must be meant to help aging women who need readers. LOL 

 

This magician/illusionist was great

At one point he called out Jared...empty can, smashed, straightened, sealed and FULL of coke...

All that walking in the sun made everyone TIRED. They are all asleep except for Stacia and Zander. Mike, Jared and Nolan will attempt to summit Fuji tomorrow. Chris and I will find something of interest to the kids. 




Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...