Whew!

Hi All! I made it to Tokyo University where I finally have a steady and reliable internet connection although I am having problems with this website for some reason. I'll do my best. The plane on the way took an extra stop in Anchorage because we had some issues with the toilets but otherwise things were uneventful. Planes are not built for pregnant women and I imagine the flight back may be even more trying but less noticable since I will probably be just happy to be heading home by that time. Yesturday was a long one we got up and had a welcome meet and greet at Waseda University with the Japanese program director and representatives from the NSF. They told us that 165 of former students of their research programs have gone on to win the Nobel Prize. Wow! I will just be happy to make it through without emabarassing myself! (Don't hold your breath, Mom, that is one awards ceremony we won't be going to.)
In the afternoon we went siteseeing on a bus around Tokyo. The first stop was Tokyo tower which looks much like the Eiffel Tower but in red. That's the pic on the right. We went to the middle observation tower and the view was amazing. Tokyo is very hazy this time of year so we couldn't see Mt Fuji but it was still impressive. The city just goes on forever in every direction!! There isn't one city center but everywhere is. I haven't seen any super skyscrapers but everywhere the buildings are 30-60 stories high. I imagine this has much to do with the danger of Earthquakes. We also had a chance to see the outside of the Imperial Palace which was once the home of the shogun who owned Tokyo. There are two moats that surround the palace grounds The first encloses the Palace grounds but the area between the first and second is filled with Tokyo commerce so you are driving along a major street and boom you are crossing over a very! old moat with stone walls and bridges. The contrast is crazy. Next we went to a large Buddhist Temple whose name I can't recall. There is actually 2 temples and a Shinto shrine on the grounds. I got the peanut blessed here and received a good fortune for him. This is better than it sounds. It isn't like fortune cookies where all the fortunes are good - most are not favorable but his was!
After this and more I was exhausted! Today I am sitting at a desk at the University and I can see out my window a giant ferris wheel and roller coaster. I wonder what this is. It would be fun to go on a ferris wheel in Tokyo. I imagine the view of the city would be cool!
Enough for now because I too am procrastinating working. Lotsa love to all and I should be able to keep in better touch now! Sayonara, e-