Category Archives: Transportation

Hiroshima: City of Peace

October 18, 2012 By in Bullet train/Shinkansen, Chase, Cliff, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Radiation, Transportation, useful Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Mural of Hiroshima at the Museum

We have survived Hiroshima. I’m dedicating this blog to my friend Angela, to whom I am eternally grateful for impressing upon me the importance of making this pilgrimage with Chase and Cliff. There is a lot to show and tell, so between trying to provide useful information along with my own impressions, I’m just going to ramble until my fingers get tired.

Hiroshima Station on the Shinkansen Side

Step 1: Go to JTB and make reservation

The people at JTB are very polite and helpful. At JTB, I was able to

  • Book room at the Sheraton Hiroshima (w/ Breakfast)
  • Shinkansen tickets
  • Miyajima Ferry tickets (round trip)
  • Miyajima Ropeway tickets

It can be a little overwhelming leaving the office with all these tickets and vouchers in Japanese, but I wrote a little note on each ticket reminding me what they were all for in English. They will also give you a medium, red envelope to keep everything organized. Note: Keep the envelope! Take it with you everywhere. Trust me on this. I’m sure there are other nice places to stay in Hiroshima, but this Sheraton is the nicest Sheraton I’ve ever seen and it’s only a year and half old! We had breakfast included in our package and the breakfast was more than adequate. If you are thinking you want to eat dinner in the restaurant, definitely make reservations. Our first night, as we were walking in, Chase was mesmerized by their chocolate fountain and begged us to eat dinner there. To bad so sad, restaurant was booked solid. The other reason that makes Sheraton the best place to stay is you exit the Hiroshima station on the Shinkansen side and walk out and turn right and there it is! No muss no fuss. 3 minute walk max.

Schedule:

  • Saturday 8:21am Leave Shinagawa Station
  • 12:14pm Arrive Hiroshima Station
  • Drop off bags at Sheraton
  • Eat lunch at a station restaurant
  • Get on Tram to Hiroshima Park/Museum
  • Back to hotel around 7pm

Step 2: Eat the Famous Food

I love food. Living in Japan has inspired an appreciation for establishments and regions which are “famous for” this dish or that. So especially when I travel, I always research what the area is known for food-wise. In Hiroshima, they like their OKONOMIYAKI:

Here’s something no mother should ever witness:

2 GIANT bottles of mayo on each table

Alas, when in Rome…

I swear I never saw the 5th ingredient listed when I first looked at this diagram! Oh well. Vacation rules, right?

Step 3: Sightseeing

Note: In Japan, many of the hotels won’t let you check into your room until after 3pm, but standard procedure is to arrive early and just leave your bags at the front desk. They’ll tag them and put them into your room once the room is ready.

Hiroshima station was very confusing to me. I’m one of those people who doesn’t like a lot of options. I’m better picking 1 out of 3. Chase also has a good case of “analysis paralysis”.  From Hiroshima Station, you can take the shinkansen, subway train, JR train, the local tram, bus and taxi anywhere. Taxis are easiest but the priciest. We opted for the Tram (150 yen/person) which is a local trolley-type transport through the city. From the hotel side, go into the station and head for the JR side. This requires going underground and through a tunnel. Look for signs saying Mazda Stadium. Keep your eyes open for directions to the JR train area. Look anywhere you see escalators. Once you are in that area, go outside of the station and you should see a bunch of tracks built into the street for the trams. Make sure you get onto the right one. We boarded and discovered we were on the wrong one. The Japanese are very helpful so don’t hesitate to ask directions. Hiroshima is a small city, so everything is pretty close. We were able to explore Hiroshima museum and visit several memorials before we headed back.

Remnants from victims

I would highly recommend renting the audio guides. Walking through the museum and listening to all the history and testimonials was incredibly emotional and thought-provoking. I found myself holding back tears many times. There were so many bits and pieces left behind. There just aren’t enough words.

Wax recreation

This scene depicting moments after the bomb was especially gruesome. It’s so surreal seeing what it might have been like.

Centograph for Victims & Eternal Flame

By the time we were finished at the museum, we were definitely ready for some park time. The park was a refreshing contrast to the depressing feelings inside the museum. Behind us is the eternal flame of Hiroshima which will not be extinguished until all nuclear weapons are destroyed. Hope they have a lot of gas reserved.

Memorial for Korean Victims

Almost 30% of the deaths in Hiroshima from the bomb were Korean “Forced Laborers”. This memorial is established for those Koreans who also suffered and died. I’m so glad we were able to come see it and pay our respects.

Chidlren’s Peace Monument

This memorial was inspired by a young girl named Sadako Sasaki who died a terrible death from leukemia as a result of radiation exposure. People line up to ring the bell inside and say a short prayer. Chase was excited to do this because he had studied Sadako’s story last year at school.

Atomic Bomb Dome

The Genbaku Dome (A Bomb Dome) is probably one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks of Hiroshima. It is truly a symbol of all the destruction brought about by the dropping of the bomb. About a week before we came to Hiroshima, I watched a 3 hour documentary with Chase and Cliff. It was so emotional and really added to our awareness before we were able to go and visit the site and see actual materials from the devastation. It’s not my place to say whether or not it was the right thing to do. All I know, is war is horrible and should be avoided at all costs. As we walked through the town of Hiroshima, I kept flashing back to scenes and testimonials from the documentary and the museum and it was all so meaningful. It’s truly incredible how this city managed to come back after being completely destroyed not that long ago. I’m so happy I went.

Until next time…

Running Errands

September 9, 2012 By in bicycle, Daily Living, Girlfriends, Living in Tokyo, Transportation Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Today was what I would consider a typically untypical day.

This morning I started with a little sweat up in our apartment gym. I don’t turn on the air so it gets hot enough that I barely have to move on the machine before I have a full body sweat going on and my mind feels like I am actually working out. Then I biked to TAC (Tokyo American Club) to take my Pilates class. I had agreed to meet Nghi for lunch and a shopping trip to Ogawamachi after class. She is finally joining a tennis group and needs to get her racquet and tennis stuff. Ogawamachi is known as the sporting goods district in Tokyo and I was curious to go. Our rendezvous is in front of Hugo Boss in Roppongi Hills and after a few back and forth texts, we also decided to bike it there. I felt like Nghi kept trying to give me ”an out” by suggesting the subway, but the more I had to insist I could bike it, the more I got the feeling Nghi thought I was an old lady. Anyhow, I wasn’t about to let some 29-year-old put me in the old people seats on the train just yet. I just put my big girl panties on and made up my mind to do it. Don’t get me wrong, when I Google Mapped the journey, I did have second and third thoughts, but hell, you only live once.

Victoria Store

I am so glad I decided to check out Tokyo’s Sports town. It is really just sport store after sport store and the prices are way better than what you would find in other places. Just as a FYI, for all of Chase’s baseball gear, we ended up going to Iidabashi to a store called Baseman. I did notice there was a Mizuno store just a few doors down in Ogawamachi. As we walked around we also noticed a bunch of book stores. It seemed kind of strange to see the sporty stores next to a bunch of hip book shops, but it made for a fun walkabout for Nghi and myself.

Need a raquet?

Up & Down Sports Stores

After Nghi and I finished our shopping, I asked her if she would be interested in hitting the Food Show in Shibuya. I had promised Cliff and Chase if I had the time, I would get some shrimp tempura to go with the soba I was making for dinner tonight. As always, Nghi was game so we hopped on our bikes and headed that way. Nghi did suggest instead of biking the entire way, stopping at Roppongi Hills Crossing and jumping on a bus. I said let’s wing it.

So we are en route to the Shibuya Station Food Show and somewhere along Roppongi Dori (a very long, busy, hilly street) I lost Nghi. I was the one following her and at the beginning of yet another uphill turn I saw her jump off her bike and start walking it. I was sweating and feeling victorious as I passed her tired ass up that street still sitting on my old lady ass.

We finally got to the bus stop, and being the kind and thoughtful friend I am I suggested we take the bus for the rest of the way.

No Sweat!

Let me dissect this picture for you. Obviously Nghi is from SouthEast Asia because she doesn’t seem to care about covering her skin. I on the other hand have “turned Japanese” and am sporting the basics of all female bikers:

  • Cap/Hat/Sometimes LARGE visor
  • UV gloves for hands
  • UV sleeves for arms
  • Signature handkerchief
  • Backpack
  • Water Bottle
  • Evian face spray
  • Sunbrella
  • Fan

I guess when you don’t have a roof over your head or a backseat to carry stuff you become your own pack mule. It’s so interesting how a whole day can pass just getting a racquet and 6 pieces of shrimp, but that’s living in Tokyo. Just another day in the life.

Until next time…

Dashi?

August 27, 2012 By in Korea, Transportation, Uncategorized, useful Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments

In Korean, dashi  means again. After mom died, I promised myself that I would return to Korea at least one more time with Chase. We would go as tourists and enjoy the country and learn as opposed to being obligated to spend all our time with relatives. I’m so excited for Chase (who thinks Tokyo is AWESOME) to visit Korea and understand he has much to be proud of when he says, “I’m Korean too.”

GETTING THERE

Normally, airfare from Japan to Korea shouldn’t be so expensive. I consider getting airplane tickets “man-job” because Cliff is such a seasoned traveler and he has certain types of jets he likes and he knows how to use points, etc. Cliff started looking at airfares and found out that it is some kind of holiday and the tickets were costing over $1000 per person! So in desperation, he asked me to look into it. Luckily, I have a Kayak app on my phone and I started doing some searching. Lo and Behold! $412 a ticket! So I start trying to purchase tickets, but the site directed me to Korean Air website and when I tried to find the tickets, it didn’t recognize! I started feeling desperate because it also told me there were only 6 seats left and I still had an hour before my spin class was over (yes, I was doing this before my spin class). So I gave up and decided as soon as class was over, I would go to the office center at the club and jump on a desktop computer. SAME THING! I had a feeling something was up. At this point I am sweating from stress. My last resort was contacting my “phone a friend” aka my sister in DC. She’s also known as the family travel agent. Luckily, she picked up and when I asked her to help me out, she gladly obliged. When she looked up the flight I was interested in, she had no problem finding it. I have tried making travel plans before, so it did not surprise me when I realized “deals” were being offered in some regions that were not available in others. My credit cards are still based out of America and the prices I was given were always in yen not dollars. The other good thing is often Asian airlines will offer discounted fares for children. If you experience high ticket prices from within Japan, try having a friend from outside book travel. You can take advantage of the currency rate as well as getting better fares.

Dates for Korea: October 24th-28th

HOTEL

Cliff was able to book rooms at the Intercontinental Grand Seoul. I actually contacted a travel agent I found through WordPress. I let her know we were planning to go to Seoul and needed airfare, hotel and English-speaking tour guide for 2 days. She recommended the Park Hyatt at a certain rate but Cliff’s company was able to get us a room at the Intercontinental for $100 less. So I explained to her we would only need airfare and a guide. Her next reply was explaining that she puts in a lot of time and energy putting these packages together and if I wanted her to help me any further I would have to put up $250 deposit that would go towards the package purchased. We parted ways. I tried.

TOUR GUIDE

My first choice would be using a guide someone I know has recently used. Like how we found Lilly in Beijing. I am still working on this. One of my yoga instructors recently went to Korea and used a tour guide so I am waiting to see her again and ask her about it. I contacted the concierge at the Intercontinental and they quoted me  Vehicle : 220,000 won & English Speaking Guide : 200,000 won per 8 hours a day which totals 420,000 won per day (about $370.00). This is my benchmark. I have talked with a few other Koreans here and they are all promising me lists of restaurants and sites that cannot be missed, so I should be ok as for as things to do.

Won: Korean Currency (in case you were wondering)

I’m so excited this is coming together and we aren’t getting financially raped. Speaking of rape, I was recently listening to some US news reports about Todd Akin’s remark about “legitimate rape.” During the report, they played this song-spoof about the whole term. I laughed so hard I thought I would pee in my pants.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg_4O6XmKAQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Until next time…

Camp Kieve 2012

June 27, 2012 By in Chase, Summer in the US, Transportation, useful Tags: , , 2 Comments

 Yesterday I sent my only son on his first solo domestic flight. If you have never had this experience before, allow me to share so you will be prepared. We had to book Chase’s flight through United. We are normally Delta people, but Dulles to Portland, Maine, this was pretty much it. It costs an additional $99 ONE-WAY to have an escort for your child. The day before camp opening, Camp Kieve emailed me and provided the name, address, cell phone for the pick-up person in Portland, Maine. I then contacted United to provide them with the information. The airlines need to have pick-up person’s driver’s license information exactly as it is written or else they will not hand off your child.  I was instructed to be at the ticket counter by 11:15am and the escort would be waiting for us. I was feeling very melancholy that morning and decided to skip my morning workout to spend as much time with Chase as possible, plus I promised myself I wouldn’t use my “angry voice” all morning so we could all leave on a happy note. We also took a lot of pictures so we could see if chase grows any while he is away.

Chase, Mary, Charlotte, Jessica

Mary lives very close to the airport, and we wanted to get there a little early. A selfish (and probably overly confident) side of me is thinking, “Drop off at 11:15am, I can make boxing at 12:00.” So I dress to go exercise after the drop off, which means, spandex and my boobs hanging out. My dad waits in the car by the curb. I get to the “unaccompanied minors” line and although there is only 1 person in front of us, I swear it took them 40 minutes to get their shit straight. I ended up getting frustrated and short with the counter woman. I said, “You need to tell people to show up 2 hours in advance if things are going to be this inefficient.” Then she had the audacity to say back to me, “Mam, you cannot just leave your child at the airport.” At this point I was now frustrated & offended at her implication and I said back to her, “I don’t care how other people raise their children. That was not ever my intention!” They had also somehow mixed up the contact person with the drop off person so we had to straighten that out. After Chase was finally issued a ticket and paper bracelet (identifying him as unaccompanied minor), she handed me a ticket. “What’s this?” To which she replies, “You need to take your son to the gate.” WTF? I asked her, “So let me get this straight. I paid for an escort for my son, but that person is only taking him from the gate to his seat and from the seat to the gate?” “Yes.” FYI people. You are welcome.

Now I am thinking about my poor dad who has been doing laps around the airport for almost an hour and will be doing more laps before I can get back to him. My noon workout is not going to happen anymore and I am now going with the flow. Chase and I make it to the gate 10 minutes before departure at 12:15pm. Most of the passengers are on the plane so I have a chance to say good-bye. I give him my strongest hug at the counter and evidently it was lasting too long for him because he kept trying to squirm away from me. Don’t worry mom-readers. I held on tight, to the point where we actually looked like we were having a wrestling match. I’m glad I identified myself as his mom first, because I probably would have been arrested for attempted kidnapping. Chase of course was mortified that people were watching, but not smart enough to realize if he would just quit fighting me, we would look a lot more normal. At one point, I actually said, “Chase! Please honey, let me go!!!” while he was struggling. I admit, I was surprised at my own strength, because Chase now outweighs me and is almost my same height and I managed to hang on to him using 1 arm. Just goes to show, a mother’s power is crazy strong when she wants something badly enough.

By the time I was able to reunite with my father, it was almost exactly 2 hours later! When we got home, we had a little lunch and dad went to play 9 holes and I felt the depression hit me. I went upstairs to take a nap. I know going to this camp is going to be so great for Chase in so many ways, but so many things have happened in the last year that have made me realize how sensitive and fragile my little man truly is. I woke up a couple hours later and ended up making the 5:15 boxing class. Just needed to hit something.

Before the Air-Rage hit me

Chase’s Bus Arrives at Campsite

Until next time…

School Daze & Trying to Get to China

April 8, 2012 By in Chase, China, Cliff, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Japan, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, School, Tokyo, Transportation, useful, Weather Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

SCHOOL CLOSING

In the States, I have experienced or known of unexpected school cancellations due to snow, ice, hurricane, and violence. Last week, I experienced my first school closing due to High Winds. Because so many students in Japan commute by trains, if the winds are too intense, much like a ski lift, the trains have to stop running. It does seem ironic that Tokyo can survive earthquakes, but if the winds get too high they worry about trains flying off their tracks. Truth be told, I have never experienced winds as crazy fierce as those in a Tokyo typhoon.  Oh well, Chase got an unexpected half-day and because my cooking lesson wasn’t canceled, he ended up meeting Cliff for lunch and spending the rest of the afternoon being “home-schooled”.

HITTING THE WALL: CHINESE VISA

My second attempt for a visa was again unsuccessful. My first attempt happened to coincide with the Chinese holiday Qingming Day, or Tomb Sweeping day. It’s hard to believe anyone can make a living with all the holidays. Remember, call first before you go anywhere.

On my second try, I thought I would take pictures depicting the waiting line as it grew. We live very close to the Embassy so I get to see it regularly. I never expected to actually be a part of it. I decided to get in line at 8:15am even though it opens at 9:00am:

8:15 am

My spot is marked by the pink backpack. There was actually a family of 4 in front of me when I assumed my position.

8:35am looked like this:

8:35am

When I went across the street to take this picture, the police officer chastised me for jay-walking. I had to walk to the crossways every time.

As 9:00am arrived, some Chinese embassy officials popped out of the building and set up a table ala airport security-style with baskets for “metal objects”.

8:55am

It was so funny watching people get dropped off in front of the Embassy and watching the realization on their faces that they had to walk another block to get in line. Once the doors opened, we rushed in and you have to go to the 3rd floor and go from window to window. They checked my papers. I didn’t have a photocopy of my (and Chase’s) passport and alien card so I had to get in line for the photocopy machine (luckily I was early so I didn’t have to wait for that) but then I had to get back in line at window 1. You basically go to Window 1 for a ticket to get to Window 2. When my turn came up, I went to Window 2, and she said I needed my hotel reservation and plane tickets. With that, she quickly  handed me a copy of the application procedures along with all my papers and shut the window. It was all very Wizard of Oz, Dorothy-San style. As soon as I left, I of course called Cliff to thank him for wasting 2 hours of my life. Will let you know how much further I get on the “yellow-brick road”.

THE GRADUATE… years later

Last night, we finally rendezvoused with Andrew. He’s so cute and very “fresh” (vampire term). Cliff met him at the station, and Chase and I met them at our favorite soba restaurant in Azabu Juban. I don’t know if it’s a sign of maturity or maternity, but as Chase and Andrew sat next to each other, I couldn’t help wondering what Chase would end up being like when he goes to college. How would he act if he was traveling overseas on his own? Andrew got on Chase’s good list as soon as he realized they could talk about video games and DragonBall. Andrew got on my good list as he talked about his interest in Japan and his desire to explore the city. He’s our first visitor and it is so nice to see the city through “new eyes” as only a visitor can bring.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

So the countdown is on. Friday the 13th is opening night. I’m not going to say it’s Glee, but it’s definitely a show. I do have my favorite numbers and my favorite cast members. It’s been an interesting experience and I have enjoyed working with some of the kids. I have also made some interesting observations about people who choose to work in high school settings. Not being faculty and being more of an outsider, it has been a revelation on many levels to work with the kids and adults. If it sounds like I keep talking around something, it’s probably because I wish I could say more, but I have to  wait until we’re out of the country to spill my guts.

Until next time…

 

 

The Graduate & China Part 1

April 4, 2012 By in China, Cliff, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Getting there, Tokyo, Transportation, useful Tags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments

This morning, Cliff told me Andrew finally arrived in Tokyo. Andrew is one of Cliff’s best friend’s grandson who is going to attend Japanese University. I met Andrew a very long time ago when Cliff and I were just dating at said friend’s party, and at the time, he was just a little boy. Anyhow, I am very excited to see Andrew again after all these years. Worst case, he’s some shy, pimply faced kid with glasses. Better case, well, anything outside of that. Since he has just arrived, I know he hasn’t started classes and he’s probably looking for places to explore. This morning Cliff and I had this conversation:

  • Cliff: Andrew just arrived in Japan
  • Me: Who?
  • Cliff: Remember Andrew?!? I told you he’s coming for school?
  • Me: Oh yeah… excitedly So when are we getting together? Will he come for the weekend?
  • Cliff: I don’t know. Probably not.
  • Me: Well, let’s get together for dinner Friday (darn! I have rehearsals) maybe Sunday brunch?
  • Cliff: Okay. We can talk about it later.
  • Me: Why don’t you give me his email and I’ll contact him directly.
  • Cliff: Mmm, no. I’ll take care of it.
  • Me: Don’t you have more important things to do?
  • Cliff: silence

Mrs. Robinson. Paving the Way for Cougars

I know what is happening here. I felt like maybe I should have reminded Cliff my last name is Wright not Robinson. Am I a bit Pavlovian at the sound of lawnmowers on a summer day? Maybe. Do I like to surround myself with attractive people. Guilty. Am I living vicariously by reading the Twilight series? Yesssss. But do all these things warrant his reluctance to letting me get my hands on this young man? I should hope not. I don’t think of myself as a cougar anyway. Puma, maybe, but cougar, no. Will let you know when and how the reunion goes.

I finally broke down and started reading the Twilight series. I’m hooked. As I get older, I find myself relating to vampires more and more. Who knows? maybe one of these days I’ll start dressing in torn up black clothing and paint my face white like they do on Harajuku Street:

Girls from Harajuku

GOING TO CHINA

On a completely different topic, Cliff and I have decided to go to China with Chase. So this will be the first in my “China” series.

I hate filling out applications so you can imagine my dread when Cliff brought home 12 pages (6 for Chase and 6 for me) of Visa application forms. Then, I had to get color passport pictures for Chase and myself but these are not hard to get because there are photo booths everywhere in Tokyo. Most thoughtful husbands delegate this application process to their eager-to-please assistants at the office, but in Cliff’s world, everyone’s an assistant.

Visa Application

I checked the website for the Chinese Embassy (which happens to be a couple blocks down from our apartment) and in addition to the application you need:

  • Passport with enough pages
  • Alien registration card
  • Photocopy of Passport & Alien Card
  • Photocopy of Hotel Reservation Certificate
  • Photocopy of 2-Way Ticket
  • Visa Fee (for American citizens it is 15,000 Yen or $181.29)

I don’t have a Hotel reservation certificate or 2-way ticket, but whatever. When in Japan, one quickly learns you never have the right or enough documentation and you will often be coming back at a later date. I did notice that the Visa fee for Japanese citizens is 3000 yen and for any other citizen it is 4000 yen. WTH? Just another example of how the Chinese are fleecing Americans. Maybe I’m being too quick to judge. Maybe our visas get us on the fast boat to China.

[insert Chinese gong sound here]

Until next time…

What’s the Catch?

March 4, 2012 By in Chase, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Transportation, useful Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Imagine being offered an all-expense paid trip to Tsumagoi Ski Resort for 4 days and 3 nights with a personal chef, staying in this beautiful facility:

Would you take it?

What if they said, “Oh, by the way, there will be 3 adults (including yourself) and 17 Fourth Grade Boys on the trip”?

Well, I said, “Sign me up!”

No, I wasn’t smoking crack that day. No, I hadn’t just kicked my crack-smoking habit. The simple truth is Chase asked if I would go, and because I am one of the self-hating, living-the-good-life-Republicans in the world, I felt the need for some self-induced suffering so I volunteered to chaperone. I keep wondering why some network hasn’t turned this concept into a reality show because it sure does feel like one.

We leave Tuesday, March 6th and return Friday March 9th.

Lodge Floor Plan

Is it just me, or are there 40 beds on that 2nd floor and 3 toilets? Stay tuned.

Until next time…

Skiing in Hakuba, Nagano

February 29, 2012 By in Chase, Daily Living, Family, Getting there, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Tokyo, Transportation, useful, Weather Tags: , , , , , 4 Comments

Nagano Mountainside

Moving to Japan, I don’t know why, but I really thought our ski days were over. We packed our gear anyway because I was terrified we would go skiing in Europe or America and have to buy everything all over again. FYI, skiing is one of the most expensive sports to participate in. In my first winter here, I have been to Niseko (Christmas time), just returned from Hakuba, Nagano (Winter breakette= 2 days off), and next week I am looking at spending time in Tsumagoi with Chase’s class for their ski trip.

Our first day of skiing in Niseko was a bit nightmarish for Chase because he is really a beginner and at one point, Cliff asked me if we needed to call ski patrol to get Chase down the mountain. You put an overgrown 10-year old on a pair of skis in deep powder, you need to prepare for a lot of waiting around and tears. Despite all the drama, it amazes me that Chase still claimed to enjoy skiing. Alexandra’s boys were on Spring Break from the British School for a week, Cliff was going to the U.S. for business and Chase had Thursday / Friday off that week, so I thought it would be a good time for Chase and I to do our “Mom & Me” trip to Nagano.

On our way to the train station, Chase was wearing his ski jacket and as he turned to say something he must have gotten a whiff of something special because he says, “Ewww! this jacket smells like tears and boogers!” I didn’t bother asking him to check that out. We caught the Shikansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo Station. Better to go through the Yaesu entrances. The last time we took the Shinkansen it was going to Kyoto. It was much easier navigating this trip. The trip from Tokyo to Nagano was just under 2 hours. Then we had to get on a bus that took us to Hakuba and that took a little over an hour. At the Hakuba Information center, we contacted Hakuba Tokyu Hotel and requested a lift to the hotel. They picked us up within 5 minutes.

Boys Before Dinner

Our first night, we had terrific casual dinner with Alexandra, Andrew, Ollie and Max. The food was terrific, the sake was cold and we were excited to ski the next day.

FYI: A lot of resort/vacation packages will have ENGLISH and Japanese language options. I accidentally happened to navigate through both and I know enough Japanese to realize they weren’t exactly the same. I was able to get a Japanese person through Tokyo American Club to help me book through the Japanese language site because for the same price I was able to get lift tickets for each day we were staying as opposed to just room and breakfast. Even though Hakuba Tokyu is not ski-in/ski-out, the rental is in-house and the shuttles are available. There is also a basic onsen available.

Hakuba Ski Runs

The Wealthiest Looking Man on the Mountain

We joked a lot about Andrew the Sultan with his 2 wives and 3 boys.

Our first day of skiing was rainy and cold. It was probably our best day of skiing in the season. Even though everyone else seemed to be heading back to the hotels, Chase and I were just getting started and he had a lesson with an instructor booked. I skied with the 2 of them until I realized Chase was being whiny just for me so I peeled off to ski on my own. A lot of people like to ski in groups but personally, I enjoy the independence of exploring on my own. Sometimes I tag-along behind another interesting group or chat it up with other interesting folk and it just makes my day feel so spontaneous. The only downside skiing alone and not knowing a mountain  is the chance of getting lost or getting stuck in a precarious area alone.

After leaving Chase, I headed over to Kokusai and took 2 lifts (Kokusai 1 and Kokusai 3) up the mountian. These map pictures were taken at the top of these lifts. Coming off area 2-2 I turned left thinking this looked like an interesting red run. BTW, Japanese Red Run = American Blue Run. Also, signage in Japan is terrible. So I’m skiing along, doing great, thinking highly of my own ski skills. Thoughts like: Aren’t I terrific? Boy, the Japanese must be very low threshold skiers, etc…. Then, I stopped to rest at an area that looked like a cliff. As I looked over, I saw what seemed like miles of moguls appeared before me and a VERY steep grade. Of course, I am hit with the revelation that I haven’t really seen too many people up to this point (but I assumed it was the rain) and the only other person I see is this bouncing orange jacket all the way at the bottom. Way out of earshot.

I used to think the only reason to ski was for the vistas. Now I see skiing teaches you how to get through bad decisions. I ain’t gonna lie. I was very scared. I took it one bump at a time and I traversed the hell out of that run. By the time I was finished, my thighs were trembling (not in a good way) but I had an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I didn’t even realize it was the  Men’s Olympic Mogul run until I got inside the Kokusai information building to complain about the lack of proper signs.

Men's Olympic Mogul Run

Is it just me, or does that Olympic Course I line change colors mid-stream?!? Who does that?!?

By the time I met up with Chase, we were soaked through. I could wring out our gloves and water was running out. But he felt great about his improving skills and I felt great about being alive. My spinning coach recently told me, “It’s not the years in your life but the life in your years that matters.” I think I’ll borrow that one.

On Top of the World

Back

February 18, 2012 By in Cliff, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Japan, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Transportation, useful Tags: , , Leave a comment

20120218-160503.jpg

Finally back from India. We finished a 9+ hr flight in coach and Cliff has decided to spoil me with a train ride to Tokyo (there is sarcasm in between these words). He wants to try the Narita Express. Tickets are ¥2940/person.

While Cliff figures out how to buy tickets, gives me a chance to check in and be “connected”. He hates when I try to help because I think he finds it emasculating, so I’m on luggage guard duty until he hits “the wall” and waves me over so I can start my apologies for my “difficult round-eye husband”.

Anyhow, so many photos and lessons and quotes to share. Will try to get organized ASAP in between loads of laundry and packing for Nagano (Wednesday!).

About Last Night

February 12, 2012 By in Chase, Cliff, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Dining out, Girlfriends, Japan, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Tokyo, Transportation, useful Tags: , , , , , , , 4 Comments

 

Cosmopolitan from Union Square Restaurant

Before the details get fuzzy, I must record the happenings of last night. I thought I could hang with Alexandra and Andrew (Alex & Andy) but I think I was kidding myself. Ever since our last trip together, I have promised myself I would gradually increase my alcohol tolerance, and adhere to my strict bedtime of 8:00pm. Saturday, Alexandra at least seemed to be considerate of my 10 hour sleep minimum. She asked me if she should make the reservation for 7 or 7:30pm so of course I said 7. We met them and another couple at Union Square restaurant in Tokyo Midtown for dinner. That Cosmopolitan picture was the drink I ordered. My eyes nearly fell out of my head because it was so big! I took a picture of it next to a 50 yen piece (about the same size as a nickel) because I just couldn’t believe it. I finally found something in Japan that wasn’t smaller here than in the US. After fantastic food, wines and service, Alexandra received a call from a friend who was at another bar close by with more people and oh by the way, do we all want to meet up? At this point, I’m feeling pretty saucy and having trouble in my Ferragamo wedges, but Alexandra is pulling me by the arm and threatening never to talk to me again if I don’t go for just one drink. She has promised Lien and me that we will be rewarded with furs if we go, what the hell?!? How can you not love Alex? Anyhow, for someone who can’t weigh more than 100 pounds soaking wet, she is a very strong woman. I attribute this to her Korean background.

Next stop, R2. We find the group. Everyone is very nice and they have somehow managed to score the front table so now we moved from a party of 6 to 12. Everyone was jovial and drinking more wine. Being surrounded by the 20-30-whatever set, it suddenly dawned on me that as you get older it isn’t about who you’re going to meet when you go out anymore. It’s who you can escape from. I don’t know when, but by I think 11pm? I can’t remember, people were dispersing, there was talk of babysitters needing to be relieved, I was seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, but I was mistaken, because it turned out to be the glinting light from Alexandra’s diamond ring as she was pulling my wrist AGAIN and talking of karaoke! WTH? I can barely walk. Now she says I have to go for “just 1 song, baby. Shut up and get in the cab.” I’m disoriented. I’m tired. I’m going.

Smash Hits is where we pull up. The original and final 6 of us (Alex, Andy, Lien, Paddy, Cliff and yours truly). At first, I had no intention of getting on stage or  singing, but damn them if they didn’t make it seem so fun! The place had a HUGE inventory of songs to choose from and you could get on stage and jump in whenever you felt it. They even had props like wigs or a guitar. The place was pleasantly full, not crazy packed and we could spread out and it made it comfortable for even Cliff to get up and sing a tune:

Cliff and Alexandra singing backup for Andrew

ONE song turned into shutting down the place at 2:30am. Cliff and I somehow managed to stumbled home reeking of cigarettes and sneaking into the apartment trying not to wake the 10-year-old boy.

At this very moment Cliff and I are packing for our trip to India. Everything seems to be in order, but I always feel like I am forgetting something especially when we leave Chase behind. I want to blog while I am away but I am not sure if I’ll be able to, so just hang in there until I get back. Our flight returns to Tokyo next Saturday the 18th late in the afternoon. Cliff turns right around on Tuesday the 21st to do business in the US and I leave with Chase, Wednesday on the 22nd to meet Alexandra, Andrew and their boys up in Nagano for a few days of skiing. We will return Saturday the 25th. Cliff returns to Japan March 2nd. Whew!

Until next time…

 

 

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 62 other followers

%d bloggers like this: