Schrager's Visit Okinawa

Well we must have been "pictured out" after Tokyo. By the time Jeff and Carol got here, we took very few pictures and didn't take ONE picture of the four of us. But, we enjoyed their stay all the same. Unfortunately I didn't keep up with the Japanese holidays and offered to take them to an antique store north on the island, but the traffic was horrible because it was the start of the 3 day Obon celebration. Due to an unexpected call from my boss in regards to a random drug test- we cut the day short and never made it to do antique shopping. Just as well-- since I learned Sacchi's was closed for Obon anyway.

Our first stop on Saturday was the Japanese Underground Naval headquarters. It's where the Japanese hid and coordinated their attacks before the battle of Okinawa. It was pretty impressive to see the tunnels that were dug- but unbelievable so many people were living down there. Later, we spent a HOT afternoon at the Peace Prayer Park, dedicated to all those who died in WWII Battle of Okinawa. Next- the Ryuku Glass factory/shop and I finally invested in some nice glass pieces (thanks Jeff). Finally we had a late lunch at an "off the beaten path" restaurant nicknamed by us American's as "Thai in the Sky".

We got to share all our favorite restaraunts and a nice little coffee place, the Hearth Cafe that serves great coffee, salads, and deserts. I'll have to order the "Double Cream Hearth Toast" the next time I'm there after I took a taste of Carols and it was so good!

Jason is in Tokyo now. He's with a tour group to climb Mt Fuji, but they have a few days in Tokyo first. He had one of the doctors he works with (who is Japanese) buy tickets to a minor league baseball game, but after a couple of innings the game was rained out. He's climbing Mt Fuji on Sunday. He has the camera, so I'll be sure to post some pictures from the top once he gets back. The pictures posted below are the view from Thai in the Sky, the Japanese Naval Underground headquarters and the memorial wall at the Peace Prayer park and Jason and I in front of one of the monuments.

Weekend in Tokyo

We had a great weekend with Jeff and Carol in Tokyo. A weekend just wasn't enough and I hope to get a chance to go back and see more. Our first evening there, we settled into our hotel and found a little Kirin beer pub to have a late dinner.

The next morning we were up bright and early for our half day city tour. The first stop was Meiji shrine. Next, we stopped at the Imperial Palace. Unlike the White House in DC, the Imperial Palace can't be toured or even seen by the public. We were able to tour the palace's east garden. After the palace visit, we went to the oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo. They had street vendors set up selling everything from food to souvenirs. As you can tell from the pictures, the shops were packed. I bought a hand-made sucker which was a strawberry on a stick wrapped in syrup and then cooled on ice. It was a bit of a mess to eat, but yummy!

After a quick nap we were off to Casita restaurant in the "fashion district" of Tokyo. Jason found the place in a book and boy was it upscale and trendy! It just so happened, that one of Jason's Japanese interns, Hiro was staying in Tokyo this weekend interviewing for a position in a practice. Hiro was able to help us out by not only finding the restaurant but also communicating with the servers. Appetizers, dinner and finishing with dessert on the terrace.... it was perfect!! (Nice work baby!)

Our final day, Sunday, we enjoyed views of the city from Tokyo tower. Standing taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Tokyo tower is 333 meters tall. (Not as tall as the Empire State Building in NYC, though). Even though the day was a bit overcast, the views were spectacular!

Jason leaves to climb Mt Fuji in 2 weeks, but first we get to entertain Jason's dad and his wife here in Okinawa for a few days before their Japan trip comes to a close. I'm excited to share with them everything we love about this island.

My First Watercolor Painting!

After my first lesson from Mr Yoshi today, I produced my first work of art!! Sure, it looks like a painting you might see in a Best Western in Panama City Beach, but I'm proud of it!!