Tokyo National Science Museum

We woke up this a.m. to SNOW, wind and cold in Tokyo...and we came SOUTH to get out of it. ::snort:: Everyone kept saying to stay in, but common sense told us the subways would be running, locals would walk to the subway and go....so we did too. 

We bought five umbrellas, enjoyed a bracing walk and......Michael proved once again why he's my hero. We were 2/3's of the way to the Hiroo station when I realized the camera was back at the hotel. Michael ran back to the hotel - through the wind, snow and rain to get it....we waited for him at the track.

 FINALLY  - we were off on the Hibiya line. Arielle can sleep anywhere....and she seems to love to sleep on subways.

This sign cracked me up.....can you read it?.....

In ENGLISH it asks "Don't you realize? The sound is leaking from your headphones."  It's so true  99% of the time it's the Americans who have their music up, their cell phone ringers on, and are TALKING on the subway....bad manners. 

Today's adventure was to the Tokyo National Science Museum. The exhibits were great, the English audio was helpful, the lunch in the lobby was pretty good too with options for all of us. 

Michael and I thought of Dad G when we entered the geology exhibit...he would have loved all the minerals and stones and would have been able to tell us interesting facts about each one. 

THIS is a salamander...that lives only in the streams of northern Japan....makes me think twice about swimming. 

We're becoming pros at the subway system. We were welcomed like long lost family back at the hotel. Everyone was happy to see we survived the "very cold" weather. It's always a great day when you can top off the cold, bracing walks with a great swim....and a soak in the hot tub for me. 

We're settling in to read another chapter of Cooper Kids and plan the rest of our trip. I have a late night conference call and so will head down to the lobby to try to stay awake, answer a few emails and participate in the call.....tomorrow is our last day in Tokyo. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tokyo DISNEY!

The day began early with a conference call....then the attempt to get back to sleep.  Not a big deal we had a full day planned today anyway. 

Nolan and Zander both have birthdays on this vacation. Zander wanted to go to Disney. Nolan wanted to ride roller coasters. I researched. We were prepared.  HOWEVER, when we arrived we discovered that most of the roller coasters are CLOSED.   We set out this morning to go find a roller coaster! 

I LOVE the subways in Tokyo. If I lived here I seriously doubt I would drive. I love the fast paced walk to the station, the hustle and bustle, the leisurely ride to a destination....and people watching all along the way. 

Finally got the kids  "sort of trained" to stay to the side on the escalators so others can run past. 

The light is coming....

We went to  Disney. They had two coasters open: Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Michael, the boys, and Stacia went to wait the prescribed 70 min wait for their 2 min rides. Arielle and I rode way more rides...Arielle had never been on most of them so it was fun for both of us. 

  

My pirates

POPCORN! 

CUTE vending machine - there is even steam coming out the spout

Arielle and I had a good time on the Ma -ku Too-wain

When we met up Stacia reminded us we all needed to go to the Princess Castle. I thought it was a ride...it was more like an art museum.

Does it fit?

She was surprised when they all jumped in the photo! She said she loves having guards. LOL 

Everyone talked Arielle into trying the Toontown Coaster.....

Observations: 

The crowds and waits are much less in February than August...but it did get a bit cold at times. 

C'mon people! Some things are just far too outlandish to wear in public - even at Disney. 

Disney is sparse eating for a plant based eater. I was glad for the orange in my backpack and the POPCORN everywhere.  I've never been so happy to see a salad bar as I was tonight at dinner...that bowl of fruit from morning was long walked off. ::grin::  Four days into the trip and I'm starting to crave something besides salads...like maybe a lentil loaf or some beans and rice or roasted veggies in a wrap.... ::snort:: I know selections will be even more of a challenge when we leave the New Sanno - it's all good. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Misc Vacation Trivia

As the ever prompt wait staff attempted to remove Michael's plate, Zander quipped in his best announcer voice,  "Personal foul on the waiter - attempting to take the Chaplains pickle!"

Comparing notes with Justin and Christina back at the hotel.

Dinner with Deb, a friend from our first year in Japan. I forgot to take a picture.

Parking is at a premium in Tokyo - can you tell they are stacked on top of each other. You rotate the cars to get the one you need.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Shibuya Crossing

Happy Super Bowl Monday. We spent the a.m.  lounging around watching football....

We have discovered kids 10 and under eat EVERY MEAL FREE (to include drink, entree, dessert) during your stay at New Sanno through March.  We are doing our best to take meals here....the salad bar is a boon for Michael and I. ::grin:: 

We had a few hours after lunch and headed to Shibuya Station/Crossing.  We walked to the bus stop and took a 10 min bus to Shibuya Station. It was fun to watch our bus fill with elementary students. These two took time out for a quick game of Janken (Paper, Rock Scissor).

We've wanted to visit this statue of Hachiko in Shibuya since watching the movie.  Today we did.

Not sure what the naked children are about

Shopping for COACH in Tokyo is a bit different than shopping for COACH in Seoul. ::snort:: 

I love the energy of Tokyo. I prefer living in Misawa....but it's fun to visit and explore Tokyo.  This next photo is when things got a bit odd. I noticed this black hummer in the intersection....and the gentleman you can see in front of it was acting peculiar. Staica wanted her photo taken in front of the character on top of the building. I took it and  we walked around these two and we went down a back road.....and I noted more of the same men at each intersection...they were keeping eye contact with each other...and cell phone contact....about that time Michael caught up with me (I was executing my aggressive American woman walk) and said these guys were odd - up to no good and he speculated what they were up to. We kept the girls near and got back to a busier street. Back at the hotel we talked to security and it turns out the Nigerian mafia is a real problem in this area. We got more than we aimed for with this photo. We also learned a bit about the darker side of Tokyo.

We did find a great new ring for Nolan on one of the back streets....one that fits. I tried to interest Arielle in something from Forever 21 but she wouldn't bite.

Shibuya Crossing  is one of the busiest intersections in the world. Thousands cross it each day. Traffic stops in all directions to allow pedestrians across....and tall buildings with WIDE screen t.v.'s  entertain while you wait for the cross walk to turn. LOL  We climbed into "one of the busiest Starbucks in the world" to get bird's eye photos.

 Find the Gherkins - hint their the only ones not moving forward and looking UP. LOL 

Wall devoted to Hachiko

One is never sure what they'll see in Tokyo. Have I said I love to visit? ::snort:: Michael saw this and said, "WHAT is that?"

Zander replied, "Japanese men buy these for their wives, I think." ::snort:: I think not.

Not the busiest Starbucks - but a fun one in the station

This little stand was promising...

See the salad in a blender - second from left? We opted for two blueberry ices and a banana one....healthy, fresh...no added sugar or dairy. 

SCORE seats for all of us on the bus home! 

We had fun observing to see HOW to let the driver know he was at our stop. I'm VERY leery of pushing buttons since the time I thought I was flushing the toilet and summoned the ambulance and police! Michael was right - we simply had to push the red button - but again I don't often do that over here.


Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Few Glimpses

of things I want to document.

Trees are wrapped with these coverings so that that the seasonal beetles will burrow into the wrapping and not the tree. Ingenious!

Fire hydrants ...careful observation solved the question as to where the hydrant was...see the grate in front and to the right of the pole saying "Fire Hydrant?" Mystery solved.

 The view of the New Sanno fountain from the girls' room....our home away from home for the next 4 days.

Another site from our window - the French Embassy....and where there's a French Embassy there is a cute little French Bakery around the corner....and Monday a.m. is the Super Bowl Game....so I think those who want to explore will come with me to bring back some game treats. 

One last note - every other time here I've  involved in planning a conference....sort of strange to be here and not be thinking about crowd movement or breakout rooms. LOL 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...