Home Again

Hi everyone! I made it back in one piece and just in time to see Emily walk down the aisle. She looked incredible and had the sweetest backyard wedding. I balled when I saw her and then Tom broke down and soon the whole place was passing around the tissues. It was a great moment! I'm so proud of her and she looks so happy. I got to see a bunch of people I hadn't seen for awhile, it's too bad I was mostly incoherent and couldn't stay for very long. I managed to stay up until about 9pm and then crashed. I wish the sleep was a little longer lasting - I was awake again at 3am. So Ohayo-gosimase (good morning)! It is so nice to be home and with my family. Aaron and I chatted all the way from DTW to GR, I wanted to sleep but just couldn't stop talking to him it was so nice to see him again. Mom's been feeding me melon this morning which is just soooooo delicious. Did I mention that fresh fruit is an expensive commodity in Tokyo and that I haven't had any in 5 weeks. It's lovely stuff and I am so grateful to live in Michigan. For someone who hated growing up in boring ol' Michigan, I sure do love it now. I'll post a pic of the wedding when I get home to Ann Arbor and can download photos and all that stuff. Glad to be back and will continue to keep everyone posted.

Success!

Hello! I have sucessfully completely the presentation and I am told it went well. Tonite I go out with the Japanese students in my lab and tomorrow I fly! Tonite I am also trying to figure out how to fit all my stuff back into the bags. Hmmm.... ok well I just wanted to let y'all know the presentation went well. I'll see you tomorrow.
love, e-

Last Day

It's my last full day in Japan. Tomorrow I wake up and try to fit all my stuff back into the (what seems like now) small bags I brought and fight my way to the airport. Yesturday our lab group played baseball against the lab group on the 9th floor. We lost. It was the peanut's first baseball game. Ahhh... The funniest thing was that at the end of the game the two teams lined up facing each other and bowed. Very Japanese. The woman in the picture is named Kaori. Don't try to pronounce this you could hurt yourself. She's been a peach and has helped me out a great deal in the lab. She speaks pretty good English so it's been a good thing. She's tryed to teach me Japanese but I think after awhile gave me up as a hopeless case. The other photo is my desk - nice view, huh? It's made daydreaming really easy.
Well I got the presentation done and I present at noon so if any of y'all are up at 11pm still - please send happy thoughts. Most of you probably won't even be reading this until I am on the plane and headed back to the US. I'll be happy to see the blue skys of Michigan and to fly over the Great Lakes and know that I am almost there. Thanks for all of your support, I have been checking the comments you've made obsessively and really appreciate all the help. Please keep checking in as I will probably just convert this to the "OH MY GOD WE ARE HAVING A BABY!" blog. Then you too can watch the cavorting of little baby Stek and the panicing of his parents. Lots of fun to come! Love you all. elizabeth - checking out from Japan.

3 More Days

Hello! I am taking a little break from Power Point madness. Ok, maybe I'm being a little melodramatic but that's just my way. Things are starting to come together. I have figured out an answer to my New Zealand dilema, which is really just too tedious to explain but it essentially kept me from determining a transverse reinforcement area for the joint. This actually makes sense to a couple people that might be reading this blog. If your not one of them, don't worry, it really isn't one of the great mysteries in life and you aren't missing out on anything exciting. I will be skipping out on the baseball challenge tomorrow where our lab group will be playing two games against another lab group. I think they're on to something here. What do you say - structures vs materials?? It's interesting because the lab groups here have activities throughout the year, sorta a forced break from studies to relax and have fun. Once a year they actually go away for a weekend retreat together. I think they should do this for us at UM? I suggested the baseball tournament to Professor Parra and he told me I was welcome to organize it. ARGH!! I wasn't looking for more work. :)

I am glad to hear that upon my return all of my familial peeps would be gathering at the Windsor clan home for a pica-nic boo boo, even the in law familials. All those familial units not in Florida that is. Josh is even bringing a new girl friend. WOW! Is he brave or what! Mom, if corn and peaches are is season, can you make a run to Versluis on Satuday? So they're nice and fresh...it's for the peanut... The poor guy is being subjected to an aweful diet this week. I have been busy and grabbing Bento Boxes and Micky Dee's for food, if you call it that. At the beginning of this pregnancy, Aaron and I had grand ideas that I was only going to eat organic and fresh homemade type foods. That this baby was not going to be filled with perservatives and whatever else they put in food these days. Well lets say I haven't exactly been able to hold up to those fine ideals under the pressure of Tokyo. I'm lucky if I know what I'm eating, none the less whether there are nitrates or perservatives in it!! Some of this concerns me but I guess I can only do my best. Which may not include McDonalds but it may not be the worst I have eaten. Well gotsa go back to work. See y'all soon!!

ARGH!!!

This is me venting because I have having problems with my project and I'm behind and English Standard Units are just stupid! Why is the US so stubborn that we have to do everything different from everyone else in the world. Anyway there is what feels like remarkably little time before this journey has ended. I have today and tomorrow to get it all done, a site survey on Wednesday and if it ever stops raining, on Thursday we are all supposed to be playing baseball, Friday is the symposium and farewell party, then Saturday I fly. No worries, me and the pea aren't playing baseball, we'll be the cheering section. He's not old enough for baseball yet.

So since I won't get my welcome home dinner at my home... I am officially volunteering Aaron to cook dinner on Sunday at Ma and Pa Windsor's. We are going there directly from the airport on Saturday so that I can go to Emily's wedding (freakin' yet, girl?). Then we will be staying for the weekend to visit with everyone and relax. I had informed Aaron that I wanted one of his fruit cobblers, some fried chix or other very American food, vanilla ice cream and a cold root beer upon my arrival home. :) It's so hard to have cravings in a foreign country... So I'm thinking maybe he can just cook for me and any other GR peeps that are in the neighborhood at the Windsor clan home. Just putting it out there... yummmmmmmmm... I miss my husband's cooking the most. Ok maybe his company too, but you understand, the peanut is hungry!! Aaron, feel free to comment and tell me to be reasonable. I'm just getting excited about being back stateside and somehow I want everything I love immediately upon my return. I want it all and I want it now!! Hee Hee.

Just a side note. It is so humid out that the mirror in the toilet at school is fogged up. I don't think I've ever seen that before. Mom, you should see my curls - it's a bit ridiculous. Ok, back to work, it's just that my brain was turning to mush and I needed to work on something else for a minute to clear the detrius.

Japanese Gardens

These Japanese sure do know how to create gardens. This is one that is in my neighborhood, easily walking distance. Many of the Japanese gardens are original to the periods of the Shoguns. They are beautifully kept and manicured. I walked around for a couple of hours and don't think I traveled every path. I certainly see the draw because I needed down time away from all the people and I found some peace here. It made for a nice break. I am hanging out on the balcony so it's not raining :) The rest of the troupe climbed Mt Fuji last night so they could be at the top to see the sun rise. This means that my roomie got back around 4 or 5 and prompty went to sleep. This meant I couldn't really hang out in the room. So I was off to do laundry and try to find this Napoli restaurant I had found a couple of weeks ago. After much searching - streets are usually named nor do buildings have addresses - I found it. Somehow there is a Japanese man who learned how to make awesome Italian food in the style of Napoli. I had a pasta putinesca (sorry Aaron, I spelled that wrong) while my laundry spun. I made an attempt to go see a Kabuki theater piece today with no success. After getting there a half hour early I waited in line to have the show sell out about 15 people before me. The first 3 floors of the theater are reserved seats but the cheep seats were all gone. The 4th floor they set aside as general seating and for people who just want to see one act as Kabuki is a bit like Opera in it's length and lack of interest to the average joe. I will make an attempt tomorrow as I actually like Opera and would like to see both acts of a Kabuki performance but I found out that I should be there about 3 to stand in line for a seat. Well worth it as far as I am concerned!! I'll report in and let you know how it goes. I can't take photos during the performance for obvious reasons but maybe I can get a commemorative program or something. Tourist on the loose! I can't wait to get home and see you all. Japan is grand but it ain't home. One more week.

Raining Again

I think this is why they call it the monsoon season... I went on a site survey of a building that is being retrofited with base isolators and carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is used on the floor to make it a part of the lateral load system and then anchored to the masonry walls with carbon fiber anchors. It was very interesting as I had not heard of this being done before and it seems to be very logical. The building is old, historic and very beautiful so traditional lateral braces couldn't be used. The walls were brick and so very weak in an earthquake. Carbon fibers in a diagonal grid were spread on the floor with resin and then 40cm fibers were placed with resin in 20 cm holes drilled in the structural walls around the perimeter, the other 20 cm of fiber was fanned out on the floor and resined down. Very interesting. I have so much work and so little time left. We have another site survey on Wed, Thurs the lab group has a baseball tournament and Friday is the symposium. Ahhh... they'll be no siteseeing this weekend! I will take time out to go to Kabuki theater on Sat. That should be awesome.

Rain

I forgot to mention that it finally stopped raining!! Which means that tomorrow it will probably be back to temps in the high 80's and humidity in the same range. Bitch Bitch. Although by the sound of things I should be grateful for the weather I have. Michigan is rather toasty. Thank goodness the new apartment has central air and a swimming pool. See the pregnant lady float!! These are gummy legos - very cool. I bought some and very quickly ate them. Sorry boys! I could buy some more but I don't think they would make the trip back. Yum Yum n' so Fun. I wonder if the Pigeon actually lives in every country or city on this planet? Although in Tokyo they are out numbered by the Ravens. The Japanese can't possibly think that the Raven is the harbringer of death as we do since they are way too many, everywhere. Hmmm... just ramblin' and procrastinatin'

More Tokyo Madness

This is Ueno Station. One of the bigger stations in Toyko but not the biggest, that would be Tokyo Station. This is also by Ueno Park where there are a bunch of museums, shrines, a zoo, food stalls, and homeless people. I spend a lot of time in subway stations looking lost and having people run into me when I stop in my tracks to try to read the signs. Thankfully in Tokyo the subway signs are usually in English as well as Japanese. I have a lot of work to do before the end of my time here in Tokyo so this will be a short one. I am also going with the lab group to a site survey tomorrow and next Wednesday. A company has asked our Professor to take a look at a retrofit and at a new construction so I will be tagging along as usually. Trying to understand it all. Living it and loving it! Ciao!

Peanut at 6 Months

This is the peanut at six months or is that minus three months! He is definitely growing and providing Mom with some growing pains. Not much to report life goes on much the same. It rains, I go to work and try to finish all I have to do before the symposium. Although I spend a good deal of time in the morning talking to Aaron and Alan and updating the blog. I really making an effort to minimize the amount of time I am playing in the morning. It's just that I miss everyone. I've begun the count down till I return. I'm having a great time but by now I really miss my bed and cats, oh and my husband too. Ten more days! I have most of the shopping and siteseeing done that I wanted to do which is good because I may be working next weekend. I met with Professor Shiohara and he told me what he would like to see me get done before I leave. Yikes! I was a little overwhelmed yesturday. Lots to do!! I wonder now how I will get everything home that I have bought. I was thinking I would send a package but now I think it may fit. Hmmm...

It's Raining Again

So I know that I promised to keep up on the blog this weeked but after several unbearably hot days it has now been raining steady for three days or more. There was a tropical storm that flooded China and has been hitting us with a constant drizzle. The plus side of this is that it has cooled everything off. I really don't mind the rain because when it is not raining it is too hot to breath. Although I hear that the US has been hit by this heat now too. So this weekend was pretty low key... I did a lot of shopping as I already told you, went out for lots of good meals, visited the National Museum and took it easy. The top pic is of a really beautiful hand painted screen at the National Museum and the bottom photo is of Azuki Bean ice cream at the Baskin Robbins. I passed on the bean ice cream and had a berry cheesecake so I can't report on what it tasted like but it was funny so I took a pic and I think the lady working there didn't understand why I was taking a picture of ice cream. I have only 11 days left in Japan so I have lots of work to do and the siteseeing will probably slow down now. Any requests for purchases should be put in now but I think you will all be happy with what I have for you. Oh and by the way Jim - just a theoretical question you understand - do you guys already have a sake set?? You are the hardest to get something for as you have spent so much time in the east, so chopsticks would be a little redudant... anyway, peace to all and to all a good night.

Drummin'

Yesturday was insanely hot again and I went out shopping so along my walk I found the Japanese Drum Museum. It was air conditioned so I stopped in. It turned out to be very cool. You get to play the drums and my favorite is the one in the middle ground here, just below the big swirl. I know I promised to be more vigilant with the blog but it has been too stinky hot to hang out on the balcony. The peanut, computer and I were melting. The last two nights I have been hanging out with friends of Bill's. It's been fun and refreshing. I have to admit it's nice to have the kids out of town. I get to do what I want which is a little different than what the 20 year old peeps want. Today I spent some time at the National Museum which was pretty awesome but mostly my day has involved sleeping in, a late breakfast, some laundry and minimal siteseeing. Just chillin' My bones are starting to ache a little and walking around just isn't an activity I can do a lot of or at least not for extended periods of time. As of today I have two more weeks here and then it is home sweet home. I have already informed Aaron what I want for dinner when I get back. Some BBQ or fried chix, cole slaw, root beer, and most important a fruit cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Oh and peanut wants a big glass of milk. Dairy is not a big part of the Japanese diet so it's a struggle to get even one serving a day. I found this little traditional Japanese outfit for young boys yesturday and I couldn't resist. Peanut keeps making me buy him souvenirs, after all he is just as much on this journey as I am. I think I may have to send a package home via mail as my purchases may not fit in my luggage on the way back. oops!! Aaron has informed me I really need to stop spending money so he can pay the bills. He's so unreasonable!! :) Anyway I think I have taken care of everyone on the list - no I'm not telling, you'll just have to wait. I miss you all and want to know why you've stopped the commentary. Is it because it's the weekend so you aren't procrastinating at work?? Or does the blame fall on me for not posting everyday. I'm in search of fireworks tonite there is supposed to be a big show in Yokohama but it depends which web site you look at as to whether it is this Sun or next. I think tonight since tomorrow is the holiday but who knows, that's a little too much logic for Tokyo. See all of ya soon, e-

Fish Onna Stick

Yes that was a fish onna stick in the last post as is the one in the upper pic. The curved fish was only for decorative purposes and was on the back side of this amazing looking platter of sushimi that we were served (see bottom photo). The fish shown here was something you were expected to just pick up and eat yum yum. I show you this photo because you can see that there is in fact a bite taken out of the belly. I ate my fish onna stick and it was tasty. We had another one the next day. Ahhh... Japan. I really enjoyed the two dinners I was taken to during JCI. We had a private room and although the table was low there was a cut out for your legs underneath. We probably stayed for 3-4 hours and ate amazing food as well as much beer and saki (not me, I had OJ and tea). The company was good and the food was amazing! So I know I had said I wasn't thrilled with Japanese food but I just hadn't had good food. Today is incredibly hot - 36degrees celcius. You'll have to do a little math here but I would say that was in the upper 90's on the Farenheit scale. And for the first time since I have been here the skys are clear and the sun is beating down. Which doesn't make it any less humid. It is so hot and humid it is hard to breath down in the subway tunnels. Fans in Japan aren't for decoration. Both men and women carry them and use them frequently as well as the hankerchief which is never used on the schnoze but is used to mop off the sweat and to dry your hands in the bathroom (no paper towel is provided). So I think I mentioned I am forgoeing the trip to Kyoto. I have heard the city is beautiful and I am sure it would be a worthwhile trip but there is a big festival going on and no cheap hotels are available. With the cost of the bullet train and hotel the trip would cost something like $480 before food and souvenirs. I think I would rather spend that on a pearl :) Anyway there is a fireworks show this weekend in Tokyo that is supposed to last 70 minutes!! Monday is a national holiday (Marine's Day) and so I have a long weekend (yes Jim) and can get in lots of shopping (one of Tokyo's favorite pastimes and I am here to learn the culture after all...) There is still plenty I haven't seen in Tokyo such as the National Museum, I don't think I'll be bored. And really the students are all so young that we don't really have the same interests. I am kinda looking forward to a weekend of doing whatever I want and not having to bow to group concencious. I feel better this morning after a good night's sleep - as I always do. The peanut is 27 weeks old today and wiggling away in my belly. Sometimes I think when I talk to him he starts squirming around in response. I think now the belly is bigger than the Buddha's. I'll send you a photo some time this weekend and let you all decide. Peace. e-

JCI

Hi y'all. I'm feeling a little homesick tonight as I just returned from three days at the JCI convention (Japanese Concrete Institute for those not in the know). It was great fun and the lab group went out for two very awesome dinners, but it was a long trip back and when I am tired I seem to be the most vunerable to homesickness. The rest of the group is taking a trip to Kyoto this weekend but I am passing as it is one of the biggest festivals in Kyoto this weekend and only very expensive hotels are available. I would rather spend my $$ on a couple of awesome souvenirs. Instead I will go to a 70 minute fireworks show in Tokyo and do some shopping. Also take some time to relax. Monday is a holiday here so we have a long weekend. So you should expect me to keep up with this blog in the next days. I know I have been slacking!! It's late, I'm tired and it is hotter than hades on this balcony tonight. So chow for now and I'll talk to y'all soon.

Wallpaper Anyone?

Providing you with wallpaper opportunities from Japan! For those who haven't figured it out yet if you double click on the image you will get the full screen then you can save to wallpaper. These are two of my favorite images from this weekend. The top one is my pick for wallpaper this week. The mist was really there - no photoshop tricks. It was rainy all day and a little on the cool side up in the mountains. Kinda refreshing after Tokyo. It was nice to get out of town and see a different side of life in Japan. We saw real farmers and rice paddies (a lot of them) on the way to Nikko. Procrastinating - back to work everyone.

Weekend Fun

Hi, Sorry it has been awhile since I have posted anything. We've had a busy weekend. The peanut and I did some shopping on Saturday during the day with the other girls. He made me go to this giant toy store and buy him things. I don't know how he has such power over me. For the girls out there, we also went to the Mikimoto pearl store. I was seriously tempted by a necklace - the one I liked only cost about $625. Really it was one of the less expensive items. I tried really hard to justify this purchase but I just couldn't do it. Peanut says I should be spending any extra money we have on him for the next 25 years. The other option was a single pearl in a tear drop setting, this was also a necklace and only cost a meer $140. When Aaron reads this it will be the first time he has heard that I almost spent a large sum of money that we don't really have. I did it though! I made it out of the store alive and without buying anything. But Dad if you really want to impress Mom for Christmas give me a call I could shop for someone else :)
Ok, so maybe the pictures need some explaining. Saturday night we went to Odaiba which is an island of reclaimed land off of Tokyo. We rode on the largest ferris wheel in the world which had an awesome view of the city at night. I took some pics of this but as we were behind scratched plexiglass the photos really don't do the view justice. Sunday me and Lauren took a day trip to Nikko. This is about two hours north of Tokyo by train. This time we really got out of the city and saw farmland and mountains. I don't know what it is about the Buddhists that make them think that elightenment can be achieved by walking up stairs but that seems to be the idea. The stairs on the left are one of three long flights of stairs to the Kitane temple. I was panting for several minutes at the top of each flight. The peanut and I are going to be in good physical condition for this whole birth thing!! There haven't been any athletes in my family but with his background we may find we have a track and field guy(or mountain climber) on our hands. Today I am back to work but I have plenty of photos to keep you interested for the rest of the week and I leave for the Japanese Concrete Institute yearly convention tomorrow which promises to be fun and exciting. For me at least!! See y'all later.

French Fry Relapse

Ok! I admit it! I don't know how you found out but it's true - I went to McDonald's for dinner tonight. I just couldn't face the food gamble alone again. The troupers all went out for a night on the town which happens a lot. No big deal, I can fend for myself but tonite, well I just wanted french fries. I'd like to blame this on the peanut but it was me... I needed an American grease fix. I feel a lot better now that that is off my chest. Thanks for listening - I hope you're all not too disappointed in me.

Geek Squad

On the fourth of July we took a tour of a construction site. The building is being constructed with a hybrid system of web dampers and oil dampers. I asked if they got special dispensation with the city in terms of not having to adhere to the seismic code for the frame since they have the damper system. They said no that this is all over and above the standard seismic provisions for the moment resisting frame. That you probably wouldn't see in the US since we are all so about the bottom line. But I also think there is more of an interest here because Earthquakes are a very frequent experience. The additional expense in the construction is balance by the decrease later in the repair expenses. Well seeing as I have been at work for an hour and have only downloaded photos and IM'd with Aaron and Maria, I should probably work now. Compai!

Let's Do The Time Warp Again

Ok, so for those of you that seem to be continually time zone challanged you will note that on the side bar to the right I have added a clock that will let you know exactly the date and time that it is in Tokyo. Enjoy :)

Buddha Belly

This is me comparing my belly to the lucky Buddha's belly. I'm taking a pole - who's belly do you think is bigger?? These are more pics from my weekend trip to Kamakura. I don't do too much during the week. After work, the gamble that is finding dinner and email checking it is time for bed. I am back to sleeping 9.5-10 hours a night and waking up soooo hungry!! I think maybe the peanut is having another growth spurt or something. Ok I have to get to work, no more slacking!! Love to all.

Tokyo Wierdness

I just think some of the signs in Tokyo are hillarious, like this how to use the toilet. Sorry I don't have any new exciting touristy photos but it has been a relatively uneventful day. We went on a tour of a new building construction which was pretty cool but I won't bore those ungeeks out there. My fourth of July night involves hanging out on the balcony surfing the net. It is cool tonight which is a pleasant change, I am actually wearing a sweater. Low key but pleasant. I treated myself to a Haagen Dazs ice cream bar - that was my celebration. Good enough for me. It truely is the little things in life that please me most and ice cream always makes me happy. I got all hooked up on Skype so if anyone wants to do the internet phone call thing my name is elizabeth.windsor You would have to email me and we would need to arrange some time but that's doable. Alright I'm going to go try it out so take care all and have a good night/day.

Tokyo Madness

I figured you guys had seen a bunch of the peaceful, serene, temple and shrine side of Tokyo but I hadn't really shown you the complete contrast that is this city. This is the Shibuya area of Tokyo. A big shopping area and very popular as a hang out for the young and hip (or the old used to be hip gawkers like me). So if you look at the bottom picture note the sea of humanity at the intersection. When we got out of the subway we were totally overwhelmed and just had to walk with the flow of people because there was NO other choice!! It's just insane!! There are other areas of town like this too. You just can't imagine.
So tonight everyone else is out doing Karioke. I stayed back and did laundry and took care of the peanut. I'm sure they aren't missing my angelic voice. HaHa. Tomorrow is the fourth of July so please would someone light some explosives on my behalf. I hope you all have a good day and Aaron, I want my cobbler when I get back :)

Sore and Stiff

After walking all day yesturday, up and down many stairs, I woke up after a long night's sleep to being all creaky and a little sunburnt. What is it about Buddhism that requires the walking up a gazillion stone stairs to reach the temple? Is there no elightenment without pain? (I could probably answer this, no need to comment, Maria.) Anyway it is good for the peanut I'm sure. He's is over his jetlag and practicing his Judo in my belly. As I think I mentioned - on Friday the lab group here at Tokyo U threw me a welcome party. It was also a party for the man standing third in from the right. He has just received his PhD and got married on June 21 (good day!). The group is very international with representatives from Korea, Turkey, Vietnam, China, as well as Japan. Kinda like UM! Professor Shiohara is standing to the left of me in the blue shirt and khakis. All of them are very nice and have been very welcoming. Naori isn't in the pic because she is taking it, but she has gone out of her way to befriend me and has been very kind. I am grateful that I got in with a good group of students both from Japan and the ones I am traveling with from the US. It makes the time away from home easier.

Big Big Buddha

Today four of us walked all over Kamakura which is south of Tokyo about an hour by train, which means it is still kinda a suburb. (Tokyo goes on forever). There are a metric buttload of Buddhist Temples and some Shinto Shrines in the area. We visited about 5 during the day and they were all incredible. This is me and the giant Buddha chillin'. The statue is actually one of the first examples of base isolation in Japan as he had lost his head in multiple earthquakes. (That's commentary for the other structure geeks in my blogland) I've had a great weekend and I think I am truely over the jetlag and feeling good. Oh! We had the most excellent meal I have yet had in Japan today. For lunch we walked into a random restaurant and it was a Japanese omelet place. They give you a bowl of mixin's and you cook it as a group on a grill in the center of the table. This description does not do it justice at all. It's not really an omelet but that is the closest American food for comparison. The first one we had was my favorite - pork and kimchee. The others were seafood and then a cheese, corn and pork. YummY!! Aaron, I took pics for you. All right it is time for me to go to bed and time for y'all to resume your Sunday morning. I will sleep so well tonight!! Love, e-

Me n' The Peanut

This is me and the Peanut hanging at Ueno Park. It's amazing that you can be right in the middle of the city and there'll be this amazing old shrine. This was in a huge park that houses the Tokyo Zoo and many museums as well as a bunch of cool shrines. This is just the walkway to the shrine and the gate in the wall. Crazy. We couldn't take pictures inside but I was awed. I believe it was 600 years old. Later we went on a paddle boat ride on the pond inside this swan boat. That was a bunch of laughs. A good day over all. Rather low key and restful. Tomorrow we go to Kamakura, home of the great Buddha and a gazillion other old temples so you'll see gobs of these photos when I get back. The hydrangea's are in bloom all over the city and they apparently have a hydrangea garden in Kamakura that is something to see. More later. Good Morning and Good Night.