Happy belated Easter everyone. Hope you all had a lovely day with family and friends. Just wanted to send a quick note to say we arrived safely in Okinawa yesterday. More pictures to come but I couldn't figure out how to upload to Marc's laptop (he's taking a well deserved nap). Marc wanted me to take a moment to comment on the vacation thus far.
First off, at 23:04 on the first night in Tokyo I was awakened by Madeline jumping up and down in the bed...however, when I rolled over she wasn't moving. You guessed it - earthquake. Lasted a couple of minutes. Thought I was crazy until someone else in the Mt. Fuji tour mentioned it as well.
Tokyo reminds me of a much busier but MUCH cleaner and safer New York city. Osaka is reminds me of Chicago. However, both cities have as much to do underground (subway & train) as they do on the surface. There are restaurants, little shops and in some cases high end stores. The public transportation is the most organized chaos I've ever experienced. The girls have adapted well. Perhaps it's because it's like a puzzle or maze to figure out.
It's been so amazing to see all of our friends on this trip. Seeing Yuk was the ultimate in surprises. So crazy to not see someone for almost 15 years and then just pick up where you left off. We definately won't wait another 15 to see each other again.
The food is great. Much different than our Americanized version of Japanese or Chinese food. I have yet to see a sushi roll of any kind. We've had a lot of noodles, pork and fish. I even tried octopus. If you like calamari - you'd like octopus. Mister Donuts is pretty good too. Have to admit I'm missing Kelly's!!
Seeing Marc with his Japanese classmates has been priceless. They have termed their conversations as "Japaniglish". One says something in Japanese, the other answers in English, etc. and then they break into laughter.
Okinawa is definately an island with it's own unique culture. It's been influenced by so many different countries (China, Japan, etc.) and somehow integrated everthing beautifully. Well, rest time is almost done. Need to get ready for dinner. Promise more pictures tomorrow...
First off, at 23:04 on the first night in Tokyo I was awakened by Madeline jumping up and down in the bed...however, when I rolled over she wasn't moving. You guessed it - earthquake. Lasted a couple of minutes. Thought I was crazy until someone else in the Mt. Fuji tour mentioned it as well.
Tokyo reminds me of a much busier but MUCH cleaner and safer New York city. Osaka is reminds me of Chicago. However, both cities have as much to do underground (subway & train) as they do on the surface. There are restaurants, little shops and in some cases high end stores. The public transportation is the most organized chaos I've ever experienced. The girls have adapted well. Perhaps it's because it's like a puzzle or maze to figure out.
It's been so amazing to see all of our friends on this trip. Seeing Yuk was the ultimate in surprises. So crazy to not see someone for almost 15 years and then just pick up where you left off. We definately won't wait another 15 to see each other again.
The food is great. Much different than our Americanized version of Japanese or Chinese food. I have yet to see a sushi roll of any kind. We've had a lot of noodles, pork and fish. I even tried octopus. If you like calamari - you'd like octopus. Mister Donuts is pretty good too. Have to admit I'm missing Kelly's!!
Seeing Marc with his Japanese classmates has been priceless. They have termed their conversations as "Japaniglish". One says something in Japanese, the other answers in English, etc. and then they break into laughter.
Okinawa is definately an island with it's own unique culture. It's been influenced by so many different countries (China, Japan, etc.) and somehow integrated everthing beautifully. Well, rest time is almost done. Need to get ready for dinner. Promise more pictures tomorrow...
You are halfway through the trip and you are just getting around to telling us about the earthquake? What's going on...this isn't Vegas... you can't just say what happens in Japan stays in Japan.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the magnitude on the richter scale?
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DeleteMarc said it was too small to register or report. Additionally said I wouldn't have felt it if we were on a lower floor. We were on the 25th floor so I was probably feeling the sway of the building and not the actual earthquake itself. Creepy...
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting that you would not feel it on the lower floor but would on the higher floor. It makes sense once you think about it.
ReplyDelete