It's all I can give you...

Taken in Space Mountain, Tokyo, while waiting in line with my daughter and niece.  This blue gets me every time, and I liked the mystery it created for my +Alien Abduction Friday friends in Google Plus.

Kitchen laughter and shyness

Kitchen laughter and shyness
Shinjuku izakaya
November 8, 2012

Last night I spent a few hours with a girlfriend in an 'izakaya' enjoying beer and sushi.  When we walked in around 7 PM the place was completely filled with men geared up in their work suits.  We were the only 2 women besides one other, and slowly through the night the male crowd thinned out and more women arrived.  We sat at a counter facing the kitchen, and here the workers don't know exactly to do with themselves with me looking in with my camera.  They laughed, and it was a good chuckle for all of us.

By the way, this was my first outing on my own since being in Japan.  Loved it!  Now I want more time to go out on adventures.  Next week's departure is too soon!

Last night I spent a few hours with a girlfriend in an 'izakaya' enjoying beer and sushi.  When we walked in around 7 PM the place was completely filled with men geared up in their work suits.  We were the only 2 women besides one other, and slowly through the night the male crowd thinned out and more women arrived.  We sat at a counter facing the kitchen, and here the workers don't know exactly to do with themselves with me looking in with my camera.  They laughed, and it was a good chuckle for all of us.

By the way, this was my first outing on my own since being in Japan.  Loved it!  Now I want more time to go out on adventures.  Next week's departure is too soon!

And these are a few of my favorite things

I am soaking up the big crosswalks, bicycles, and speed while I can.  Only one week left before my return to the the States.  Maybe it's time I look into moving into a city.  Love.

Into the rain

 

11.19.12:

Physically, I've been back in the States since what I think was late Wednesday, Louisiana time.  Emotionally, my mind and heart are in Japan with my family, friends and the many special experiences and places shared.  What a gifted blur, and I just may not rush getting back into some semblance of a groove.  :)
 

11.07.12:
I so love that even in inclement weather in Japan we just go about and do our daily things without much troubles.  Just pop up our umbrellas and we're on the go by foot or by train.  I'm in awe of the parents trekking by bike with their kids on board in the midst of it all, and find inspiration in the approach.  Once I get home maybe I'll be less likely to complain when a downpour floods our driveway and car.

Find yourself in the temple

My husband helped organize a bus tour of Tokyo with good friends from his high school days, and one of our stops was to the Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo.  It is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo, and is visited by millions of people every year.  While we were there walking through the gates with thousands of others, I felt like I could either get swept away by the crowds or totally immerse myself and enjoy.  The second happened as a matter of fact once I got caught up in photographing and appreciating the people and place.  I actually wished to be left there for day or so because it felt so good in the moment.

Hozomon Gate Lantern
Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo
November 4, 2012

Millions pass under this lantern every year to visit and pray at Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo.  I was one of the many on Sunday, and really appreciated the immersion into the endless stream of people.  There's an exciting and moving energy shared when in such a space.

http://www.senso-ji.jp/

 In prayer and wonder

Main Hall
Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo
November 4, 2012

After moving with thousands of people through two large gates and past an osenka (incense) burner for healing, I climbed the steps of the Main Hall.  My girls had been with other family members, so it was a nice surprise to find my youngest daughter looking up at the woman in prayer.

http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html

Contact

 “You're an interesting species. An interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other.”
― Carl Sagan, Contact

I had stopped in the flow of the crowd right past the huge lantern at the entrance gate.  I wasn't just ready to jump into the sea of bodies moving towards the temple site.  The feel of the movement and the hundreds of faces around me captivated me and got my adrenaline going.  My husband had gone ahead with his friends and our daughters, and I had 30 minutes to soak it all in and immerse myself.  From where I stood, on the edge of a small elevated step, I could see over everyone's heads, well nearly, on my tippy toes.  I knew that I wanted to show the depth of the crowd in my shots, so I stretched high with my camera and looked in.  Honestly, I can't recall if I consciously saw this man looking straight ahead in my direction, but how peculiar and cool that he stands out amongst the others.  I think that he's striking, and at that moment takes on a significance.

He really makes me wonder about all of our encounters with the countless people that we pass during our daily travels.  Do we see them?  Do they see us?  Do we even make a conscious effort to see and engage, or are we each in our own zone?  Are there others trying to reach out to us somehow?   How awesome that in a split moment of time we are capable of stepping out of ourselves to make contact and connect, then move on our way.  I find a reassurance in that, and it feeds my spirit in just the right way.