Summer 2013: Journey in Japan contiues...

 { post}

 { on the JR East train}

 { a mini van sells bread}

 { Kamakura, Japan}

 { S' first meal in Japan}

 { my first meal in Japan}

 { sea world}

 {splash}

 { sea turtle}

 { waiting to pat the small sea turtle}

 {mount. Fuji, can you see?}

 { Take a look}

 { temple}

 {Asakusa}

{fortune telling}

{before worship}

 { what is good? can I have two??}

 { S caught typo, orenge} 

 { Japanese traditional sweet bread, so so so delicious}

 { S was a pink lady for the day}

 {sky tree tower}

 { most spoiled treat: a short latte in 350th floor}

 { She was brave!}

 { cakes in Japan are delicate!}

 {complex train tracks}

 { S, the explorer}

 { spot taxi in Japan}

 { can you see the someone's reflection on the telephone booth?}

 { Flowers are everywhere and pretty}

 {a great trip to worship the Buddha}

Did you have a nice tour down here? I hope you enjoy the moments that we have had in Japan. We always have first few days full with busy schedule in Japan. That helped the jet-lag and just make our body ready for the new place. 

S loves the train rides in Japan, but rush hours seem much for her. We tried to leave our room early enough, so we can get on the train with less crowd. Our trip to Kamakura was fabulous. My dear college friend picked us up from the train station and we rode together on the train and it was so helpful to have someone translate the signs and explained the histories for us.

The mini van sells the bread is something that I used to seen when I was S' age. The van came on our street and ring the special bell. We always get some sweet bread or treats for the afternoon treats or for next morning breakfast. S asked me if I  have seen a van sells bread, I replied, yes! There were used to have many different vans, cars, motorcycles even bikes selling food on the street when I was at her age. It was so much fun and memorable to see one again. Mom used to give us a few coins and let us run downstairs to catch the car.

The trip in Japan was full with fresh food and sweets. We have tried many new food this time and really love how they tasted. Asakusa, Japan is a great tourist place to visit. We followed the custom wash our hands before enter the temple to worship. S tried the fortune telling again this time, so did I. The temples in Japan are mostly over hundred years old and so peaceful when we enter. The colors of the space is so calm. Yes, it is really comfortable! Everyone were whispering and murmuring their wishes and so did I.

We waited in lines a lot! Mostly for food! According to my friends, if the line is very long for restaurants or food stands/shops that mean it is a very tasty place.  We waited outside in a hundred year old Japanese traditional sweet bread shop for 45 minutes.  The shop people kept come out to tell us the shop opens at 9, but S and I insisted waited outside. We felt quiet proud to be the first set of customer for the day. The sweet bread was soft and the apple pie crust texture was so crispy. I slightly... greedy think that I should have gotten two instead of one.  We both spoiled ourselves and got soft ice cream as well.

Like every tourist, we joined the big crowd and visited the sky tree tower. It is the newest landmark in Tokyo area.  S was most excited about the speed in the elevator that goes up the 350th floor. Unlike her, my heart beats were fast running when we were in the elevator. Seeing the screen number going up.. 4.....10...200...234...344...345...346....350..

When we first enter and view the outside from the windows, S' first question was there are no backyard in Japan and the land is well occupied by houses. We spotted a large park and thought it might be the place children play and ride their bikes.  The houses are so closed to each other especially viewing the city of Tokyo from 350th floor. The view is so stunning and breath taking! 

We have felt in love with Japanese food, culture, and people! The country has great mixture of Western and Eastern elements. Most of the time, I have asked S not be afraid. It is not a big problem if you can speak the language. People around you will be helpful, but cautious the people you meet. On our trip, we took two small trips to the book stores.  I asked S not to go far out of my sight. We both dig in the subjects that we loved! She found a book for herself and I didn't. I flipped through so many sewing books and knowing our suitcases are full I decided not to get more books for myself... { but how I wish..}

On this trip we have enjoyed meeting friends and having resting time together. Oh yes... I believed you alrady know how much S loves the full attention from mama and the adventures that she is taking so far. One step a day give us a little room to breath and reflect.

The raining season starts in Taiwan and we have enjoying the rainy days... oh dear it cools off the air~ Best of all, raining season in Taiwan is perfect for sewing time... Dad and I are heading to Flea market this Saturday early morning. I hope to find a few things there.. mainly a sewing machine...

xxC