For all Oli's grumbling about the cherry blossom, it was beautiful while it lasted. And he was romantic enough to take me in a little rowing boat in the moat of the Imperial Palace. So many trees, laiden with tiny flowers is a wonderful 'only in Japan' experience. Though the obsession with cherry blossom is extreme - websites where you can send in pictures of your cherry tree and find out when it will be in perfect bloom; loads of office conversations about what percentage the blossom is now, and where best to see it; and picnics/parties to celebrate!
From Nature to things man-made; we went to Disneyland!! Our friend Suzie came to visit, and her ethusiasm led us all to spend the day in a colourful bubble world. I've tested what it says in the guidebook, and it's true: you don't ask people IF they have been to Disney, you ask how many times! After 4pm, the park's visitors quadrupled with groups of excited school children. I was struck more than ever by the need to belong. Each group of 4-6 kids had matching Mickey/Minnie Mouse hats/ears/headbands AND ate/drank the same flavour drink/lollypop/snack - all wearing their school uniforms. We had a fantastic day, staying till the end to see the parade and making it round most of the rides.
Suzie's stay was lovely, not least because I was able to take some days off work. As well as Disney, we went to the Ghibli Museum, watched women's mixed martial arts, met new people and did lots of wandering through Tokyo. (Oh, and another cat cafe!!) We've been so lucky to have so many people visit - both to see us, and for other reasons.
Women's mixed martial arts is, I'm told, not a Tokyo phenomoman. You can watch people fighting in a cage in London too. Of particular note was that they have not replaced the bikini clad girls round the cage with buff young men, the best costumes did not equat to the best fighters, and music ranged from the obligatory rock to Latin beats and Simon and Garfunkel.
The Ghibli Museum is a must for anybody who comes to Tokyo. The experience is vastly improved by having watched a few films, especially My Neighbour Totero. You can see a real Cat Bus, see various animated models, and enjoy a whole crazy building set up for fun, imagination and discovery.
Oli and I both have bank accounts - I have a sparkly Disney bank card, and am waiting for my three-in-one credit card that will work like an oyster card on the tube. For me, it's taken 3 trips to the bank. The first time after 1 hour of form filling and decisions (such as what style card I wanted, and all sorts of explanations of the type of accounts), when on the final step, they told me we couldn't open the account without a hanku (stamp). Apparently signatures are easier to forge than a £2.50 stamp available from hundreds of stores. Welvome to hoop jumping heaven. I am very lucky to have people willing to help me re-fill out the endless forms!
It's beautiful and hot here now, and there's lots more to tell you about the last few months, but I should leave some things for Oli to write about.
New Kit Kat flavours since I last wrote: Cherry, Apple Vinegar and Sweet Bean Paste. | 