Domo arigato gozaimasu (thank you very much)!

One night Scott surprised me by getting home at 5PM instead of the usual 7 or after 7PM. We went to the Chinese restaurant KEI-KA_EN I ordered sweet and sour fish but steamed rice was extra so I didn't really enjoy what I ate. However I returned the next day for lunch because I was craving almond jelly with fruit. For lunch I ordered seafood wong-tong soup with siu-mai which was the best wong-tong soup I've ever had! I about died when they brought the bowl of wong-tong soup (aka won-ton) because it was huge and had 10 stuffed wong-tongs! I made myself eat is all and the heavenly clear broth! The siu-mai was a bit dry so they weren't priority. And Chinese tea for beverage. There was an elegant Japanese lady in a business suit who also sat alone. Part of me wanted to invite her to my table but the part of me who wanted to be alone and not be judged for photographing every single item I had before eathing won. Besides, I was curious to see how a lady like her behaves in a restaurant full of men in suits. As I was leaving she smiled at me and said, "Take care of yourself". :)

Thursday, April 1

Today I was feeling tired again so I room ordered seafood chop-suey. It was YUMMY!!! It had shrimp, squid that they beautifully sculptures to look like pine cones, pork and veggies. It was so YUMMMMMMY!!!! I started to feel better :)

Scott was running out of under garment so I hand washed some of his things. He gets all sweaty running to subways, up and down stairs daily that some days he showered immediately when he came home and got dressed again for dinner. I also sent 3 shirts and 3 pants for laundry service which was a whopping $53.00. So I was glad I went ahead and did a few hand wash or else it would have cost way more. I was also thankful for 2 shirts I bought him in California that were wrinkle free because I hand-washed those and they dried in the bathroom from the hanger in 2 hours woohoo!

Then I decided to venture outdoors. I wanted to see the fully blooming cherry blossoms. I met some kids, especially a curious little Japanese girl. I then went to the other side of hotel where I watched a dump truck driver patiently wiped his truck clean. This was unusual to see. I guess they don't have car wash places in Japan because people take so much pride in their vehicles they keep them clean all the time! .

Finally I went to the office center. I have befriended two people there Aya-san and Yu-san. They are very nice people and we've traded email addresses upon my departure. They had both studied in the US. Aya was in Ohio and Yu was in Main. Kanazawa-san was the one who checked us in originally. He used to live in Gardenia, California. It was really good to chat with them during my stay because I couldn't type on their keyboard too long, it was very frustrating to use with more options that I am used to on my American keyboard :)

That night Katz-san took us out on his rental car. We drove through Ginza, Roppongi, the Parliament, Imperial Palace, and the National Heritage Museum. We also drove through Shinbashi where there was a crowd of men in suits and some that are so drunk, they loitered the streets wandering aimlessly. In fact we almost ran over one of them and he stood there completely oblivious. The economy in Japan is not doing well and I've heard of some men who have lost their jobs but still put on their suits daily and pretend to go to work. I'm sure this is not exclusive to these unfortunate people.

I admired the Ginza and other main drag area because the attractive buildings had many big glass windows that I thought were effectively used the stylish people people who were going about their business in the stores or coffee shops, even salons, as part of the texture architectural designs. It was very glamorous to watch, never a dull moment.

Finally at the location of the National Heritage Museum, Katz-san parked by a nice Italian restaurant called Selan . It was surrounded by giant gingko trees which I never realized got so huge! It was a chilly night but we sat outside and the waiter offered us lap blankets and a heating lamp. I had lamb because the first couple items I wanted were out. However, the biggest hit was their pizza which Scott enjoyed.

Friday, April 2

I painted a little then I decided to go to basement 2 where the shops are to pick up the combination handkerchief and towel for Mom. I also saw a lot of pottery that I REALLY wanted but I knew our hotel bill was going crazy and besides, I'd hate for them to break en route. Anyway, I took photos for my souvenir.

Then I went up to basement 1 to explore another restaurant L'Adventure . It was supposed to be European. But what I am realizing is that the cuisines in Japan, no matter what culture it is supposed to be, had Japanese influence hehehe. Americans are guilty of same ;)

I had yet another "lady's portion" which turned out to be 2 bowls of pasta, soup, bread and dessert. I selected pumpkin soup (which was to die for!!!), and crab pasta and a sardine pasta for my main dish(es). For dessert I had tiramisu. I was very overwhelmed by the two bowls of pasta so I simply chose the one with better sauce which was the crab pasta, then I picked all the sardines off the other one and mixed it with the other =D. I asked if I could take my left over dinner rolls with me and they didn't know what to think of it. I guess nobody takes left over with them. They had to go to the pastry shop to get a bag lol!

For our farewell dinner, Shinggo-san, one of Katz-san's talented engineers, picked us up in a cab for a dinner at Roppongi Hills. It was a French restaurant Japanese style :) Our wonderful host likes "course dinners". As usual, I was full on the fourth course with 2 more to go, I think. It was always a challenge to order for Scott who didn't want fish or chicken, just beef. Katz-san took us back to the hotel in another cab.

Saturday, April 3

We were greeted in the lobby by Katz-san and his lovely bride-to-be, Etsuko-san. My first impression is she was elegantly casual in her tailored linen jacket with standing collar and denim pants. Katz-san rented a car so he can show us Mt. Fuji. It usually takes 1 3/4 hours to get there but with the particularly beautiful weather and an spring break season it took us much longer in traffic.

Etsuko-san gave me a gift in the car. It's a table runner woven in kimono materials from her home town Fukuaka. Luckily, I had a beautifully wrapped cloisonne bookmark that i bought from the gift shop for her. We were both thrilled :)

In between some buildings were parts of the Imperial Palace that made me ooooh and ahhhh over such well designed landscapes. Cherry blossoms lining the green moat while people rode little boats. Pink lanterns among the blossoms while people of all ages took leisurely strolls under them.

The beautiful Hakone hills have distinct forms to them, they are covered with cherry trees that hadn't began to bloom yet. Driving through the narrow roads, I was entertained by the textures of their local plants, the contrasts in shapes and colors. For instance, the lush short bamboos carpeting the base of the rigid cedar trees. The different Japanese maples are like draperies that delicate designs to the hills.

Finally we reached Owakudani to view Mt. Fuji. We saw a long line of people leading to some bubbling hot springs. I think they believe it to heal people. It was freezing up there! We certainly were not dressed for the change of weather. We turned around and saw the majestic Fuji-san! She was like a mirage among the fog. So perfect and almost symmetrically cone shaped. We were cold and hungry so we determined the clouds would burn off and in the meantime we could eat and pick up some omiyage (souvenirs) for the first time! Unfortunately, when we came back out, Fuji-san went and hid her shy self. And there wasn't going to be any more pictures for poor Erika :(

When we got back in the car, Katz-san and Etsuko-san had presents for us! Etsuko gave me a rubber stamp with my name written in Japanese characters hiragana - it's perfect! Katz-san bought 2 pairs of chopsticks made of local woods in Hakone. He said it was to celebrate our 4th year wedding anniversary, and their week-old engagement, and our great friendship. WOW how poignant was this moment? We were embarrassed not to have thought of same kindness. We were deeply touched. (note to self: car is popular gift-exchange place, be prepared. hahaha!)

Katz-san drove down not too far to another tourist spot at Ashinoko lake where they have the giant torii. The water is so choppy but there were lot of people fishing. Scott dipped his hand in the cold water.

We headed back Old Tokyo in Asakusa. There we strolled through Nakamise Street which is like an open mall that lead to Senso-ji temple. We had our picture taken by the pagoda but it was kind of dark. We blessed ourselves at the big incense burner to ward off evil. I also tried to get a photo of the famous Kaminari-mon gate but there was always someone walking in our way, besides, we were hungry. :) So we headed to a restaurant which was more out of the way. The restaurant had a hibachi at each table.They brought hot burning logs that worked like coals and burnt a lot time! But they served sushi first. Scott, the beef eater, was served raw beef that he wasn't supposed to cook. But he sprinkled seasons on it and grilled it lol. And it was a course meal, by the time we got to the freshly made udon I was full. We were laughing because Etsuko-san like Scott's recipe and asked him to cook some. Katz-san and I tend to like same things, while Scott and Etsuko-san like same (they had rice and tea). Everything was delicious!!! Katz-san has impeccable taste in restaurants.

When they dropped us off at the hotel I gave Etsuko-san a big hug which she reciprocated. She's so sweet! They are both sweet and a perfect match!

Sunday, April 4

I was feeling really exhausted from the week and especially the long the to see Fuji-san. I pretty much stayed in the room and ordered room service. I had udon with shrimp tempura and almond jelly with fruits for dessert. The bowl of hot udon and tempura that Katz-san ate in Owakudani Center looked so good I had been craving it since. Mine looked a little darker as the batter looked like it was fried in older oil...I doubt it.

I washed more items for Scott in case he needed to change before the flight. I packed a little bit. Then I got dressed and decided to go to the office center. I also wheeled outdoors a bit to take some last minute cherry blossom photos. The doorman saw me struggling so he wheeled me out and later he wheeled me in.

I went back up the room and organized things that needed to be packed. It was 8PM and I knew Scott must have been trying to do as much as he can for the Japanese clients. Our departure day is their most important meeting day so he has to ensure as much as he can that things would go well.

I ordered another udon with tempura prawns and almond jelly. It was the yummiest of the cheaper dishes. It's 3,100¥. I got a subtotal on the hotel bill and it was over 30,000¥ up to April 1st.

Scott arrived after I had taken my last bite. I ordered him a "hamburg sandwich". He didn't like it but he was hungry lol.

Monday, April 5

I woke up with a strong urge to vomit. I asked Scott to grab me a trash basket and I immediately used it. A million things plagued my mind about having to check out at noon and Scott not returning from meeting until three with barely enough time to catch our 7PM flight. Of course there still was packing and driving an hour to airport, sitting in airport for hours, starving and of course the 11.5 hours if they even allowed me on the plane. Like a trouper I got myself to shower, I can't imagine how. At this point I was actually sicker. I asked Scott to please pack for us and check all drawers. In the meantime his escort for the day, Roberto-san was in the lobby.

They talked to front desk to request an extension on the room so i can rest comfortably. It was granted until 2PM. DOMO ARIGATO!!!

I vomited everything I took. Pepcid, excedrin, water, coke, etc. It's usually only gatorade that helped me feel better but nobody knew gatorade there. While Scott was gone I called front desk and literally asked for "ancient Japanese remedy", the guy goes, "Huh?" He did come up to our room and brought me 6 tablets. He said, "Take 3 now to help stomach." I asked for something closest to gatorade. He went to our refrigerator and gave me a drink called "Power Sweat". Then he left. I vomited those out too. At 1:30 Scott called and said he and Katz-san are on their way. When I answered the phone i vomited all over myself. So I had to unpack clothes from suitcase even though all strength should have left me at this point. But for some reason this last instance seemed like the last revolution. I was feeling more human. I got cleaned up and dressed again.

As we were checking out Katz-san walked up he was hunting around for anti-motion pills. I decided I'd take them on the plane after I eat something. He and Scott grabbed lunch and I excused myself so I can bid goodbye to my friend Yu-san who was just coming in from her weekend off. We took photos. And by the time i got back to America, I had an email from her.

Katz-san drove ever so gingerly to the airport. It took an hour, normal amount of time. He stayed with us up to the point where they wouldn't let him go further. At the gate he waved and threw kisses and made crying gestures. He followed us from one glass wall to another, enthusiastically waving goodbye to us. What a guy! We have a positive impression of Japan and the culture mostly because of him.

We waited at the VIP lounge for our flight. We had self-served snacks. Then they ushered us to our flight a little over an hour later. The plane took off late (as usual). We were given our usual toiletries in a kit and sleepers. We had our dinner and I took my pill. We fell asleep. Next time we woke up was breakfast. We had flown for 10 hours already. I don't have ANY recollection of what I ate! I was just glad to be feeling better! We managed to arrive LAX on time. And the wheelchair accessible airport shuttle got there quickly. Mom was waiting at our house which was good because I couldn't find my house keys. Good ole' MOM! :)

By the way, in case you're wondering about the cardboard cowboy I've been showing in photos, he is called Flat Tanner. He is a version of Flat Stanley. The young boy from Idaho I was helping is Tanner. His grandma sent his Flat Tanner to a mutual friend in Germany but on it's way to to Australia, he got lost. So his grandma had a great idea to make up a "Flat Tanner" and instead of shipping him, she painting an image of Tanner, scanned it and emailed him to the people in different states helping Tanner. It's an excellent solution!

Here are Flat Tanner and I eating crab pasta and sardine pasta!

I want to thank my darling Scott for inviting me to go on this Japanese adventure! It's a new spice in my experience that has definitely enhanced my life! XOXOXOXOX

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