Tokyo!
To train Mom and Dad to travel in Japan alone, we took them to the big city. If you can survive Tokyo, you can survive anywhere! Tokyo was especially nice, as it was at least ten degrees warmer than Kanazawa!! We started the trip properly, with a shopping trip to Ginza!! We then went to Harajuku, where Japan's strangest was on display, before heading to Shibuya for dinner (stopping of course first in Shinjuku). The next day was a comedy of errors, as every place we went is closed on Mondays!! Even the buses and trains were full for our return to Kanazawa! Luckily there is so much to do in Tokyo so we went to visit the Palace (the gardens of which are, of course, closed on Mondays), but we did see the actualy Palace, even if only from a distance. Then Zach and I returned home, leaving Mom and Dad to fend for themselves!
Shirakawa-go
For our first trip out of Kanazawa with my parents we went to a tiny mountain village of 200 people called Ogimachi in the Shirakawa-go valley. It is barely over an hour out of the city, so imagine our shock at the several feet of snow!! The town is a UNESCO world heritage site, because of the thatch-roof houses that are there, many of which are still used as homes for the residents. It was a really cool place to see!! I especially liked the onsen at the end, with great views of the river from the outdoor bath!!
Bowling!!!
In preparation for our upcoming bowling tournament, we ventured out to Japanese bowling for the first time yesterday!! For our first real foray into 10-pin bowling, I think it could have gone worse. Well, maybe not for me, who scored less than 200 total in three games-- Zach and Chris scoring almost more than this in one game. But, I think we are ready now for the tournament!!
The best part of the game was, though, without a doubt, the bowling shoes!! (And the instant replay TVs of us bowling!)
Fiesta Mexicana
This Saturday we celebrated the start of spring here in Japan (Yes, it is finally starting to warm up!!!!), with a Mexican soiree. It was a really nice night, and it was fun to remember that soon we will be in a country even hotter than Mexico (yes, I am never happy, but I am very excited for the beach!!!).
