Tokyo, Japan April 2014

  Tears came to me as I sit in the park in Nara during Golden Festival Week

 in Japan.  I heard singing when I entered the Botanical garden, I followed the music. Next to my seat is a lady in full Kimono and an elderly gentleman is reciting poetry on the stage set over a pond in the Botanical garden.  It is a program of entertainment, singing, dancing, martial arts.  How lucky is my life! Now, the TAIKO DRUMS! Primal, muscles rippling, much ceremony, love it. 

- Drinks in cans available up and down all streets. Many different coffees in the street machines and in the ever popular 7-11. There is available hot or cold in the vending machines. Sadly, I did not see the used panty machine. Probably I. The little street we were told foreigners could not go.  Also, ramped up coffee ones, and, the energy drinks, many, are advertised in TV by very sensual women with a come on approach. 

    Women only metro cars during commute time as the men are too grabby. 

   Myanmar has more public information in English than here. Was explained that for the upcoming Olympics in 2020, this is being addressed. 

   It's cold and wet out, thought I would go back to little tatami mat/futon room, however, was sent to the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, by helpful lady at the information center,  as they are open late this day. A lady at the entrance gave me a ticket. Another lucky day. Very good show on Japanese painting. Many decades and genres. There is a sitting room that looks out over the palace grounds and free tea.

   I spent  the morning trying to find friend Mari's hotel and then had lunch with her before she flew back to Shanghai. And she bought me delicious local meal called: Okonomiyaki. 

    And, wonders, my metro line is just outside. 

     No trash cans.

     No trash. 

     Flower pots in street corner and in front of shops. 

    Clean, clean, clean. 

     NO graffiti. 

     Taxi drivers wear black suit with hat, white gloves, seats are lace covered. 

     Train conductor bowed as he exited the carriage. So nice to be acknowledged. 

   Using Google Maps gave me many long walks around Tokyo trying to locate my destination. And, I got to manage my bags up and down many flights of stairs. 

   On to the next destination.