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Hi Tomiko and Toshi!
Glad you are using the new iPad, Tomiko! Keep it up!!! This is your first English translation assignment, Tomiko! Thanks again for all you wonderful hospitality. As well, thank you for all the wine and food info and the lovely gifts which arrived at the hotel today. You are both too generous and more than considerate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some of this you know already but have found this city an incredible experience. Almost as easy to get around as London, language barrier notwithstanding. (That in London, I mean!!!) Given population it is amazingly clean everywhere, litter and completely graffiti free, and wonderfully quiet off the main thoroughfares. Always feel comfortable, everywhere, no matter the time of day or night. Last full day here so went to the Imperial Palace, (again, within easy walking distance, no more than fifteen minutes on foot, if that), to drink Green Tea with the current Emperor. Quite lovely grounds with rather imposing, massive, massive fortification walls, moat, etc., to say the least. In the Edo period the successors to the first Tokugawa Shogun made the castle here into the largest/tallest in Japan, if not the world, at the time. Ironically, the castle burned down, never to rebuilt, nineteen years after it was completed, around 1657, I believe.
Near the entrance, (free), just before one reaches the inner castle grounds and various gardens, there is a small museum which displays a small number of art and craft works produced between 1877 and 1903, for and from the First National Industrial Exposition to the Fifth, all taken from the Imperial Collections. The works created during this brief 25 year span have become symbols of this era and are now called Meiji art. Seeing them it is not hard to understand the immense popularity of Japonisme.
After a most pleasant two hours or so, we headed back to Central Station where we kissed goodbye. Cora Lee was headed back to scope the stores in Ginza. We had walked around this high, high end fashion district last night, only fifteen minutes by foot from our hotel, and she wanted to drop me like a hot potatoe in Tokyo's version of Knightsbridge or Rodeo Drive. I told her, as we waved goodbye, that I would need the last of Yukiko's plum wine to drown my sorrows, to assuage the pain of being abandoned for designer wear and impending credit card financial catastrophe! I dream of Greece and its monetary woes in comparison!!!
For my part, flashing my JR pass, I took the Chuo Line, (track # 1&2), to Shinjuku Station to make for Tokyu Hands, a Japanese department store famous for its cornucopia of housewares and related wares. I was keen to try to find the bicycle locks we'd first noticed in Aizu and helpful woman at the Info Kiosk at Central Station suggested it might be the place. Few stops later I was striding into the store only to see the bicycle department right ahead of me. Found the locks in question but clerk suggested they probably would not work on our bikes as the fenders would probably interfere with the attachment mountings, etc. Decided to take two just in case they do work. I'm sure I can get Dusty, (Mr. Fixit), to use a coat hanger or two to make them work!
Back to Central, happy as a lark, and then to the hotel to pick up two cups of java to sip while I repacked the second of our large, (albatross), suitcases. Coriandre arrived about an hour later, overwhelmed by the sheer expensive of everything in Ginza. Nevertheless, all her fellow shoppers were loaded with shopping bags from all the high-end fashion and designer stores. Not Madame Butterfly, however, as she showed uncharacteristic restraint and returned none the poorer for her afternoon amid the rich and famous.
We plan on having an early dinner, (In fact had a wonderful meal at La Bellota, a Spanish place but a few blocks away. Delicious tapas and a bottle of exquisite Tempranillo, 2005, 14%.), so that we can hit the hay in time to have a reasonable sleep. Will have to be up around 4:30am tomorrow morning as the taxi has been ordered for 5:15am. After we had breakfast at a terrific sobe restaurant in "Kitchen Street" at Central, (I had an egg and roast beef on my noodles. Cora Lee had a bowl of rice and six tasty gyoza as she can't handle buckwheat.), we checked out the station exit where we intend to be dropped, once again, just to be sure we had it right. Turned out that the elevator there was out of order or at least was being worked on when we walked by! We were assured, however, that it would be functioning by tomorrow so hope that this is the case. Not looking forward to getting all four bags to the Narita Express platform by elevator, let alone having to deal with numerous steep flights of stairs! Three of the bags are "easy". "Easy", in this case, is relative as I have a knapsack and Cora Lee a wonky carry-on. Its wheels are too close together so it sways from side to side, like a drunken sailor after too, too much rum. At one point, she was literally dragging it along the pavement, unbalanced as it was and on one end, and the stitching started to wear away. Fortunately, the wonkoid can be put around the pull-up handle of Cora Lee's suitcase, on level ground, so we only have to pull two wheeled bags each.
One wheeled bag presents few difficulties, in most instances but having to load four into an elevator the size of a small closet, most of the time, or onto the train, (Mind the Gap!), can be a struggle, especially when train is crowded and doors are closing! The real problem is the El Cheapo, the one which sports a nifty duct tape and wire, makeshift handle that I pray holds together until I kiss the bag goodbye at the Cathay Pacific check-in counter. After that, let the baggage handlers worry, say I!
Cheers from Cora Lee, the woman who, single-handedly, can, and usually does, incur more debt than all the national governments of Europe combined and Patrizzio "¥ Doesn't Grow on Trees" San! Keep in touch. Much love to you both!
Hi Kjell!
Trust you are well! Really don't want to leave this wonderful country. Please sell all your season's soccer tickets and send proceeds!!!
Hi Bob!
Trust you are well! Really don't want to leave this wonderful country. Please sell all your latest art and send proceeds!!!
Hello Manitoba!
Trust everyone is well! Really don't want to leave this wonderful country. Please sell the farm/island on Red Lake and send proceeds!!!
Hello Lads!
Just wondering if anyone is willing and able to collect us from the airport:
Cathay Pacific, flight #838, from Hong Kong, (originating at Narita, Japan),
arriving 1:20pm, Thursday, May 31st.
We assume we would be through Customs, etc. by 2;30pm, if flight is on time,
and would simply wait outside International Arrivals, (with four large
bags!), if anyone can make it. If not, don't worry. Wouldn't ask BUT, this
from Chloe:
"I am not able to pick you up Thursday as I'm working and we have no big
car. I did ask Michele but their car was in an accident, ( a fire truck
clipped it), and they still have the rental and it's small as well. So
unless their car is fixed by then it's train and or taxi for you guys."
Again, don't worry if you are cycling or drinking lattes or gardening, we'll
just stay at the airport until al the Duty Free hootch runs out! Cheers,
Patrizzio!
If the sun goes down..
Patrick James Dunn Our first Swiss boarder, Lucas Amman, now a practicing architect in the city, was from Lucern.
Pat,
Will be there to pick you up as long as the plane is on time. Off to the
gym to strengthen up for baggage handling. Ray
P,
Sorry for the slow response. Did you find a limo service?
My little TDI may not be able to handle the load. I am trying to borrow
Charlie's van for tomorrow and will let you know when I hear back from him. G
P,
I have been granted the use of the van as limo -- if you still need me.
Please confirm.
If you do need my services I will await your phone call. Call me after you
get out of customs and I will head out. I am about 20 minutes to the airport
from here. W
Hi Paul!
Thanks for your up-date. We will be home tomorrow so I plan to come to Broadway Lodge as soon as we are back. I gather, from Chloe, that Mom is deteriorating rapidly, more so since her heart attack.We both appreciate all the care and support she is receiving. Thanks very much. Patrick.
Hi Champagne and O Susannah!
Trust you are both well and busily accumulating bridge prizes! Don't want to leave this wonderful country. Please send money!!!
Hi Sandra!
Doubly disappointed not to be attending Dram this year. Have a few snorts for us! Really don't want to leave this wonderful country. Please send money!!!
Hi Wendy and Wayne!
Trust you are both well! Really don't want to leave this wonderful country. Please send money!!!
Hi Michelle!
Both Corinne and I were saddened to hear of Basil's death. We hope that we are in Vancouver when the memorial service will be held.
You really must share these tales, Patrick - have you considered creating a travel blog? I am hugely enjoying your missives - it's like travelling by proxy. Though I do wonder about four bags and a backpack? What in heaven's name are you carrying?!! Here's my travel tip - wear only old clothes and wear them over and over again. When you've had enough of them, toss 'em and hit the local used clothing shop for fine selection! Or, kill two birds and let Corinne loose with a credit card. (I am not a shopper, sadly. And my tip does reveal why I'm not likely to win any best-dressed librarian award - snicker) Michelle
Greetings from Platform 3, Tokyo Central Station!
Hi Michelle!
Glad you enjoy our tales of woe and misadventure! They continue. Cab came a few minutes before 5:15am so that was fine as we were ready with our mountain of bags. Poor chap fussed a bit while he was strapping in what could be piled in trunk. We asked specifically for Marouchi North Exit as we knew that was most direct, elevator, non-escalator, non-stair obstacle course. Nevertheless, he took us to a different exit! Finally made him understand. Don't Think we was trying for extra charges as our preferred drop-off was literally but a few minutes away. Bloody traffic lights here are so long that we could have walked had we not been encumbered with enough luggage to give a 40 mule team a run for its money!
At any rate, we made it into the bowels of the station, B5, and even found seats to wait upon for the next thirty minutes. With respect to the number of bags, we did start out with one checked piece each, plus a carry-on. When we learned that we were entitled to two checked bags apiece, we decided to buy two extras in Sydney, to handle a case of wine, souvenirs and other sundry items accumulated over the course of three months. This of course, spiraled out of control and now the albatross has come home to roost!
Like you, I do travel with clothes I wish to leave once they are either dirty or so worn that La Fashionista refuses to walk beside me. In Cyprus, in 2007, she and Chloe literally tore a shirt from my back in our hotel hallway. I tried to stitch it together with dental floss but they would have none of it. And it was one of my favourite Hawaiians to boot!
First leg of Baggage Survivor is now over. We are girding our loins for the next trial and test of our collective mettle. We who are about to board the Limited Express, bound for Narita, Salute you! Cheers, Cora Lee and Patrizzio!
PS: Before checking out, we forgot to check our flight on-line in order to determine if it is leaving on time or at all. Fortunately we have enough cheese and rice crackers to last for a few days if we have to camp out at the airport. May even have to crack a bottle of wine or two. At least the bags will be lighter if this scenario unfolds!
Bike Limo service from YVR!
Hi Whirlygig et al!
Thanks for offer. We will take you up on a ride as Raymond has a time
constraint. Thanks for offer Ray but this way nobody has to worry about
whether flight is on time, etc. Will call as soon as we are out of Customs,
etc., and will wait outside, in the pouring rain and freezing cold until The
Jackalmobile arrives. Time to begin the Baggage Odyssey! Thanks again.
Cheers, Patrizzio!
OK, Pat, sounds good. Ray
Hi Ray!
Glad you received latest message. When Giorgio mentioned bringing bikes to airport, I suggested that he should bring a rickshaw as Madame Butterfly will expect to be pulled all the way home!
P,
Have a good flight, sir.
We are expecting heavy rain or even snow tomorrow. Actually, the forecast
is calling for cloud and sun with a high of 18c. Maybe I will bring the bike
with trailer. We can take turns walking and riding?
I will await your call-age. W
Hi Giggage!
Better bring a rickshaw as Madame Butterfly will expect to be pulled all the way home!
Put snow tires on rickshaw and install a kerosene heater. Have the latest Jo Nesbo on the seat. Will wire further instructions from Hong Kong!
Cheers, Patrizzio, Sherpa, Samurai and General Factotum to Madame Butterfly!
| Greetings from The Narita Express! |
Hi Sir James and Lady Patrizzia!
Hi Marilyn and Big Al!
Whirlygig is collecting us from YVR as Chloe is working.
Hi Glasgow!
Trust you and Catherine are well.
Hi Lurch and Grogg!
Trust you are both well.
Hi Tomiko and Toshi!
Happy Fortieth, Toshi! Trust you are both well.
Hi Goils!
Friend Whirlygig is picking us up at YVR. When Giorgio mentioned bringing bikes to airport, I suggested that he should bring a rickshaw as Madame Butterfly will expect to be pulled all the way home!
Our tales of woe and misadventure continue. Cab came a few minutes before 5:15am so that was fine as we were ready with our mountain of bags. Poor chap fussed a bit while he was strapping in what could be piled in trunk. We asked specifically for Marouchi North Exit as we knew that was most direct, elevator, non-escalator, non-stair obstacle course. Nevertheless, he took us to a different exit! Finally made him understand. Don't think he was trying for extra charges as our preferred drop-off was literally but a few minutes away. Bloody taffic lights here are so long that we could have walked had we not been encumbered with enough luggage to give a 40 mule team a run for its money!
At any rate, we made it into the bowels of the station, B5, three elevators later, and even found seats to wait upon for the next thirty minutes. With respect to the number of bags, we did start out with one checked piece each, plus a carry-on. When we learned that we were entitled to two checked bags apiece, we decided to buy two extras in Sydney, to handle a case of wine, souvenirs and other sundry items accumulated over the course of three months. This of course, spiraled out of control and now the albatross has come home to roost!
I do travel with clothes I wish to leave once they are either dirty or so worn that La Fashionista refuses to walk beside me. In Cyprus, in 2007, she and Chloe literally tore a shirt from my back in our hotel hallway. (Chloe can verify!) I tried to stitch it together with dental floss but they would have none of it. And it was one of my favourite Hawaiians to boot!
First leg of Baggage Survivor is now over. We are girding our loins for the next trial and test of our collective mettle. We who are about to board the Limited Express, bound for Narita, Salute you! Cheers, Cora Lee and Patrizzio!
PS: Before checking out, we forgot to check our flight on-line in order to determine if it is leaving on time or at all. Fortunately we have enough cheese and rice crackers to last for a few days if we have to camp out at the airport. May even have to crack a bottle of wine or two. At least the bags will be lighter if this scenario unfolds!
PPS: We are now hurtling towards Narita, no thanks to JR. For our peace of mind, two trains were put together at the platform. When first one arrived and didn't stop where we had assembled the baggage depot, CoraLee was all for chasing it down! I prescribed two Valium, whispering "Calme! Calme!" Next unit pulled up and I put all our bags between couplings. Now everything fits into Cora Lee's purse and we simply have to add malt, once home, and they will pop back to normal, overstuffed size!
While waiting, Coriandre's nervousness had her fussing about needing a toilette, (She is becoming more and more like Clara Mae every trip!), so as soon as we found our seats she was off scoping WC locations! For my part, I'm trying to use up my 1 Gig sim card. Might have to stay in Japan until it is exhausted.
PPPS: When you finish vacuuming, Chloe, please phone Whirlygig and ask him to put snow tires on rickshaw and install a kerosene heater. Have the latest Jo Nesbo on the seat. Will wire further instructions from Hong Kong!
Cheers, Patrizzio, Sherpa, Samurai and General Factotum to Madame Butterfly!
I think all of Japan will breathe a sigh of relief when the Canadian Invasion departs their fair island!
Greetings from Narita Airport!
Hi again, Goils!
Well, we made it to the Cathay Pacific Check-in without much difficulty. Once off the train we had the luxury, sheer luxury of using carts to wheel our bags. Had to re-pack as two of the bags were over 23 kilo limit. Madame Butterfly was not amused at having her undergarments on display for all to see! Once that was accomplished, we were "Free", as Cora Lee had done all the passport/paper work as I was stuffing things into the bags that were underweight.
Now have about two hours before boarding and will spend next little while browsing shops and reading before heading through Security. We have a couple of bottles of water to drink before so doing, as well as probably snacking on cheese and rice crackers. We were up at 4:00am so didn't have any breakfast other than of the aforementioned munchables we nibbled upon at Central Station, waiting for the Limited Express.
With respect to a collective sigh of relief from the Japanese, I beg to differ. Toshi and her Mom were deeply saddened by our departure and even sent gifts to our hotel yesterday. Since you are so nasty, Ayn, about thinking this country's citizens are glad to be rid of us, I guess I'll just give gift intended for you to Agneta!
Sayonara from Narita, Poppa "We don't need no stinking' collective sighs of relief" San!
If Agneta is to get my gift instead I can only hope it's a Japanese bottle of Coca Cola!!!
I will tell Toshi that you kept my gift for yourself!
Hi Tinsel Town!
Don't worry your pretty little head about Agneta receiving your Japanese Coke! Nana ripped all the gifts open as soon as she saw them, claiming she wouldn't be able to tell employee at Cathay Pacific that she had packed all the things in her suitcase herself. She already polished off the coke and is now working on the very expensive chocolates! Hee! Hee!
Tell Toshi that your Mother really isn't as nice as she pretends to be. At least with me you know where you stand! Love, Poppa-San!
Hi Brenda Louise!
How are you faring with your calf/ankle/foot ailment? I hope you were able to visit your son and grandchildren.
Trust Picasso and Wally are both well. Friend Whirlygig is collecting us from YVR as Chloe is working. When Giorgio mentioned bringing bikes to airport, I suggested that he should bring a rickshaw as Madame Butterfly will expect to be pulled all the way home!
Hi Nadienka!
Really enjoyed last two snaps you posted. How go your studies? Trust you and your homework are both well! Really don't want to leave this wonderful country. Please send money, Swiss cheese and Toblerone! Cheers, Patrizzio, Sherpa, Samurai and General Factotum to Madame Butterfly!
Hi Tomiko!
ENGLISH ONLY!!!!!
Cheers, Patrizzio!
This is not our parting. We shall surely meet again in japan. Till then please
Take good care of yourself.
Tomiko Takagaki
Please have pleasant flights!
Hi Birthday Girl and iPad Woman!
Greeting from Osaka to my dear host parents, Corinne and Patrick!
So, you are already in Narita, expecting an hour half to fly back to Vancouver!
We miss you soooooo much...
Reading your e-mail made me laugh all the time, imagining the scenes!!
I must look funny for suppressing a grin!
Like moooooo!!!! not closely strong as that, but still very funny!
Last night, my mom and I couldn't help laughing by reading your e-mail!
Good stories indeed.
We can easily imagine Corinne and you had fabulous time in Tokyo with
lots of excitement!
Thank you for sending my mom an e-mail to her i-pad!
She's very very very happy!
At the moment we received your message, we laughed so much because of
the length.
It's a big assignment for her!! But she tried to read it, well!
So, I talked her to send you messages in Japanese for you assignment, too!!
She wanted to send Corinne and you the first message from her i-pad.
I received the second one last night while I was with Mimi.
Amazingly, she did it without my help!!
I returned her a message, too.
When I got home, she was excited to tell me how great i-pad is!!
I couldn't say thank you enough for how happy you made her, not only the i-pad
but also you just by being there for us. Really made her strong!!!
Also, thank you for your birthday greeting!!
I turned 40 years old! And I feel great!!
Happy to be greeted by my dear host parents, as well as any friends
since the midnight!
Really really HAPPY indeed.
This morning, I walk up with husky voice.
Thought my new day turned my voice sexy! for an expecting good match!!
hahaha! (having a minor cold)
Oh, no problem about the presents we sent you.
It's not a big deal!! We wanted you to have them!!
Octopus ball "Takoyaki" sample is fun, isn't' it?
One time, my Swiss friends and I mixed it with a dozen of real
Takoyaki and gave them to my mom.
She thought all were real and try to eat the fake one!
Of course, we burst into laugh, but she couldn't understand why!
I wanted show you her face when she found her that we made her a trick!!
Oh, one last thing, I got funs for Any and Chloe.
Corinne told me that she might give Chloe the fun which was one of
Yukiko's presents for you.
She can have two!
I liked the funs got for Any and Chloe for the first sight at the store!!
Well, thank you again for visiting us in Japan.
We had such a wonderful time with you!
Please have pleasant flights to Hong Kong and to Vancouver!
Love, Tomiko and Toshiko
Thanks for lovely farewell wishes. I'm so glad my silly accounts of life inTokyo made you laugh. I promise to learn Japanese on the flight and will send my completed homework, for correction, from Hong Kong! Time to start boarding so will say goodbye for now. Again, hope your cold is not too serious and that you can celebrate in style! Fondestos to you both. Much love from your grateful Host Parents! Cheers and Happy Birthday!!!!!
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