Japanese Engrish

October - Halloween!

Even mother nature helped decorate this month! Where ever I walked outside, there were spider webs like the one below.

A creative neighborhood display!

Halloween is a funny time in Japan. Everywhere you go, the Japanese have put up decorations and they go all out! But... that's all they do. No costumes, no trick-or-treating, parties, etc.

But on base, things were quite festive. Most Americans invite their Japanese students to trick-or-treat and it was busy! We had a steady stream of costumed kids for 3 hours straight. At one point, we had a line going down the walk! We set up shop with the neighbors and enjoyed margaritas while passing out candy (at least 25 - 30 bags worth!)

My adorable neighbor, Madison, and me!

Moooooo!

October - Out & About in Tokyo

I went out with a couple of girlfriends in Tokyo last weekend. I began the day with a haircut at a Japanese salon - it was a fabulous experience! My stylist consulted with me throughout the entire appointment to make sure I was pleased with what he was doing. The attention to detail was amazing: They place a warm blanket over you when you get shampooed to keep you from getting cold and you actually have a footrest and a head rest so you aren't straining your neck while laying backwards over the sink. My hair was shampooed not once, but twice and I was treated to a heavenly head, neck and shoulder massage. I highly recommend getting your haircut out in town!

As we walked, I spied an angel trumpet vine growing like the one that Maxwell and I had rescued while living in San Diego. Our vine now lives with Robin of Various and Sunday (my former neighbor). Thanks for taking care of our "love fern"!

I love Japanese signs - they have a wonderful way of conveying the message through pictures!

You can leave your cat, but not your dog.

Usually you can figure out the signs by the pictures. This one still has me wondering.

Next we ventured over to Tokyo Tower. It is the world's tallest self supporting steel tower, 12 m. higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Our view wasn't the best since it was cloudy. I'll have to return on a clear day!

Jill, me, and Kristin

Looking down - yikes!

October - Shopping in Yokohama

A party for me?!!

Meow!

September - Kamakura Part 1

I took a day trip to Kamakura while Maxwell was deployed. Kamakura is a town where you will see something new each time you return with many shrines and monasteries as well as cute shops and restaurants. I went on a hike through the Kamakura Alps that took me to three different temples resulting in so many photos!

Kencho-ji Temple

Crow warriors on guard.

Crow warrior up close

I loved this statue.

Prayers in many languages

September - Kamakura Part 2

The second part of my hike to a temple in Zuisen-ji where I saw beautiful gardens with many artists at work.

September - Kamakura Part 3

More pictures of Zuisen-ji.

A Japanese cemetary - very tranquil.

September - Kamakura Part 4

At this point, my hike ended at the base of the Kamakura Alps at another temple in Kamakura-gu.

One of many shrines I saw that day.

Prayers written on the figurines.

September - Homecoming

For most of the summer, Atsugi had been deserted. The Airwing was deployed and most families traveled for vacation or to see family back in the USA. For the dets on the USS George Washington, this has been a very long year of time away from families. Their initial deployment was extended and then extended some more. Finally, they were to return home but only for 5 days. It wasn't really coming home - more of a port call, but one that families were grateful to have. Walking around the neighborhood, you couldn't help but feel the excitement and patriotism!

Melissa's window (my next door neighbor)

I love the scribbles (made with love) on this sign!