Beautiful day in Onjuku, Chiba. 2 weeks ago. Lots of interesting things happening on the beach, as always!

Odaiba

on the yakatabune boat, docked in Odaiba bay. Fuji TV building in the background.

Yukata

Scene from a Tokyo street...

Yakatabune

It's summer, time to wear some traditional yukatas. This photo was taken before we boarded the cruise boat, with colleagues & friends Sanae, Rachel, Yasu & Tamami. It's hot, so don't forget your fan!

colorful underwear....

Boys... in case the colorful underwear from American Apparel was no longer enough, here is a nice solution to your plain underwear... whose birthday is coming up next?

Cafe de Pou

Sans commentaire...

Teeth

Walking through the streets of Tokyo is a daily amazement. Never leave home without your camera and always keep your eyes open, or you could miss the TEETH. This photo was taken about 5 minutes away from my flat and i had never paid attention before. We went out for a walk on Sunday after the heavy rains stopped - we had a typhoon sweep through Tokyo on Saturday. By the time it hit us, it felt more like a tropical rain than a real typhoon. Anyway, just to explain the grey sky on this photo. The next photo was taken just around the corner for this place... Strange thing it was, Cafe de Pou... see next photo for yourself...

Mia Made Me Cry

Hello Mia, and everyone. This is my first blog entry ever. But after what Mia did to me this morning I feel like I need to share.

Last night I found a bunch of old cd's sitting behind a stack of books on my shelves. Most of them were crap. But among them I found the first cd Mia burned for me. It's a collection of some of her favorite French music. I was so happy to find it. I had been looking for it for some time now.

I took the cd with me this morning to play in the car on the way to yoga. I had forgotten what was on it. I forgot that the first song on the cd would reduce me to tears the moment it started to play. I couldn't believe that I was crying. It was bizarre! So i just started to laugh at myself as well. I cried and laughed all the way to yoga this morning. I'm still not sure why. Maybe I cried for friends that I missed. Maybe I cried because I was overwhelmed with gratefulness for the memories that it evoked. I felt in some way that I had a Proustian moment. Like that little madeliene soaked in tea, the music brought to the surface comforting memories.

SO, there you have it Mia. You made me cry.
: )

Thank you so much for all the lovely memories. Also, thanks for the music. They're still among my favorites.

Duckies

Get your ducks in tow, time to sail home! Taking duckies in for the night in Hakone lake. Very nice end to a great day.

Forest Construction

Excuse us for the construction work... in the middle of the forest. We couldn't quite find where the construction was, but well, we excused them anyway!

Hakone hike

Hakone -14 kilometer hike near Mount Fuji. Beautiful landscape, wonderful company.

77 + 9

I ran into Carlos (77) and Go (9) on my way to Yoyogi park for a picnic with Hiroko, Karsten and Sorano. That's what happens when you live in the same neighborhood as your friends - can't sneak out! They were on their way to Sunday soba. Very nice and lazy Sunday in Tokyo today. Miette by the way originates from Carlos.

Summer has finally arrived in Tokyo: sunny days and warm temperatures. Time to take out shorts and T-shirst, skimpy dresses, flip flops and sandals. Yay!

Bubbles in the park

Hiroko making bubbles for Sorano.... While Karsten takes photos.

A walk in the park

Sunny day in Yoyogi Park today. Some people walk their dogs, others their ferret, and some walk with crystal balls on their head...

Souvenir, souvenir...

I am only starting now my photo album for our trip to Sri Lanka. Just have to scan all the pics we took... Fortunately, I still have the agenda where I wrote what we visited day after day. Very helpful!