And since I'm very simplified and zen-ed recently, I will do it the easiest way, in chronological sequence.
1. Applying for a visa to Japan has been quite an experience for me due to special circumstances. Because I work in Singapore and reside in Johor Bahru, mine took 7 days instead of 3. Therefore, my extra precious leave days are wasted, bumming around at home.
2. Everything seem to have a tight dateline. And everything connected to the everything had a dateline too. Failing to complete something will lead to failing something else. That kind of shit. I was very edgy and stressed up. Everthing was NOW NOW NOW.
3. On days I hope the husband will stick around, I became a golf widow. No, he wasn't hit by bullet golf balls on the head, although that might be better because then people would bring me casseroles, give me pitying looks and eventually set me up on dates with hot younger men. (Thank you Karen Leland for this humor bit)
4. I slipped and fell at home. And hit my head hard. Nothing major, just a painful baluku. For the first time in my life, I prayed "Please keep me alive". Don't pull a Natasya Richardson stunt please.
5. Three days after the fall, we're on the plane to Tokyo. I kept praying.
THINGS ABOUT JAPAN:
1. Mount Mitake is breathtaking. We walked among very tall old trees, enjoyed the crisp fresh COOL air and the tranquility.
Mountain mini train. No idea how high we went. The train moves at 5km/hr something like that as I reckon a lot of old people come here for a walk or to hang out.
Another short distance ride up.
I am impress for their English of language here.
Trees are considered sacred here. They are probably older than P.Ramlee's two grandmother's age combined. Some trees are legendary and special.
Like this couple here. I think they're called the Couple Tree. And since we came all the way here, we did what all couples at Mount Mitake did. We crossed over between them, hand-in-hand, never once letting go. That's the rule. So now it means we're stuck with each other for life. MUA HAHAHAH.
And this tree too. I've never seen a trunk structured like this before. It says here, it resembles the female anatomy (pepet) and the little protruding bump on the right resembles the testicles (chun toi).
Of course, how could I leave out the food we ate. We had the whole eatery to ourselves.
And sakura. EVERYWHERE. It's such a nice change from seeing as much litter and stray cats back home.
This house has an amazing rooftop. It is covered with hay, moss and some green grass patches. So eco.
A typical Japanese entrance to a guesthouse.
And here we are. A must-visit. Cited as one of the most popular shrine in Japan.
This is was where my 450D stopped working. Turned out my lens decided to take a holiday too. Anyway this is better picture of the Musashi Mitake Shrine.
That's not all. MORE STAIRS!! We really took our hats off our little boy. He has endured walking, stairs-climbing, hours of train rides, more walking and walking even in the light rain, and not to mention 15 hours in total of flight time! WITH NO MAJOR WHINING! At one point, the husband said to me "I respect this boy man." I think he enjoys travelling!
After the many stairs, we reached this holy ground which was so peaceful and quiet. This is where the original God of all Japanese Gods is.
On our way out. If not for our fabulous aunt and uncle here, we wouldn't have discovered such a breathtaking place.
After we got down, we hung out at this beautiful river, throwing pebbles. This is truly unspoiled nature! EVERYTHING is so clean and untouched from the pebbles, rock and crystal clear water.
2. From nature to man-made city madness. This is the famous Shibuya intersection crossing. When the light turns green, an amazingly massive crowd crosses the junction in ALL direction! This is the highest point I could stand to snap a photo.
A popular waiting and meeting place where the Hachiko statue sits .According to a famous story, this dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station, and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away. It's so touching!
Harajuku. Center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles.
Land of lolitas. Teenagers who dress up like dolls or maids, in fancy shmancy lacy frocks and curly blonde hair, with make-up that could scare your grandma. Because times were bad and it was a weekday, we only saw two. And I didn't take a picture. They really look like these, I swear. Daniel was ecstatic. Jie jie mei everywhere!
He saw a lolita jie jie mei. That chi ko pek look is priceless.
He got my camera and this is all he could take. Students in mini skirts.
One of the many fancy unique boutiques at Harajuku. I just love their creativity and effort.
The husband's playground.
Japanese ADORE their pets. Complete with hairdo and kimono for their beloved pet dogs!
Japanese souvenir shop, one of the aplenty ones at Asakusa. I think 80% made in China now.
Asakusa shrine.
3. Japan is very kid-friendly. Every shopping mall has an infant stroller or a toy car trolley where the kid can sit in it, and mom can do her shopping too. And almost every restaurants will have kid's meal set where it comes with a selection of toys.
Oh, this kid can slurp like a true Japanese. SLURP SLURP SLURP SLURP.
4. Typical standard home have this high tech toilet. In public toilets, some have music or a trickling sound to play. It's for ladies who malu, tak mau orang lain dengar dia pang jio or pang sai.. *roll eyes*
5. My most enjoyable shopping moment was for fabric and craft supplies.
6. I absolutely love MUJI and Daiso.
7. Japanese customer service is superbly top of the world. They go all length to help you out, even when you don't buy it in the end, and they thank you. We have so much to learn from them.
8. 99% of the men wear dark suits to work. During peak hours, you see dark suits everywhere, like Batman. Dark suits flock in a corner to smoke, dark suits flock together when waiting for trains, dark suits IN the train, dark suits walking here, there and everywhere.
9. Train rides are expensive. It ain't $1, $2, they're $15, $30 per way!
10. Cakes are a big thing. They look good and taste even better. Everything is fresh. We wanted to buy a strawberry tart, but the last one was a bit cracked and the cashier refused to let us buy it! Quality control is a HUGE issue.
11. Vending machines are everywhere. You won't go thirsty on the streets.
After 4 days of non-stop walking, I have Gisele Bundchen's legs. And after all those stairs at the mountain, Gisele's pantat.
Woo hoo!
Since the little head injury incident,and after we came back, I have been very malas. I've been moving at a glacial pace. Even my thoughts are in slow mo. I don't have a care for the world. It's such a wonderful temporary feeling. I could focus better. I no longer try to multitask and be fretted. I don't care if I'm not on time. I feel like I have a simple heart and mind like an old lady of the 70's. It's fantastic.
I wish this will last...
