Sayoonara

Well, I am mostly packed. My suitcase is full and all that is left to do is pack my laptop, cameras, a book, iPod, and assorted items that I am carrying onto the plane with me. It has been an amazing vacation and I cannot thank my boss enough for not laughing at me months ago when I first asked for so much time away from work. I did so many things, learned so much, and met so many people on this trip that Tokyo has become like a second home to me.

So this isn't "Goodbye" Tokyo (and Japan) this is "So long and I'll see you again" because I fully intend to return to my new home some day. But before I go I would like to give a little advice:

1) Things that do not belong on pizza are mayonaise, fried eggs, boiled eggs, sarad (or salad), tuna, and corn.

2) A large drink usually means something bigger than a dixie cup.

3) The person on the other end of the phone cannot see you bow.

Sakura and Sunshine

Thursday was a beautiful and sunny day so I headed back to Shinjuku Gyoen to take more pictures of the sakura. First I went to Tokyo station for one last lunch of curry pork udon.

Lunch




Shinjuku Gyoen
















Many artists were out drawing and painting the scenery.












I took a short video as well.

Sakura

The sky was completely cloudy today and it looked like it might start raining but I headed to Shinjuku Gyoen anyways to make sure that I would leave Japan with pictures of sakura (cherry blossoms). Shinjuku Gyoen was absolutely beautiful, even on a cloudy day, and I wasn't the only one out enjoying the park. Many families and couples were taking the afternoon to sit beneath the trees and enjoy the sakura as well. The pictures turned out fairly well, but I would really like some taken in the sunshine. So if the weather is better on Thursday or Friday I will definitely head back to the park.

Meiji Shrine and fresh air

I was feeling much better today. I had spent the last two days pretty much just sleeping while trying to get rid of this cold. I decided I would go out for a walk in the sunshine and fresh air so I headed over to Meiji Shrine near Harajuku station. It was very peaceful and beautiful with some of the plants and trees finally showing the life of Spring. The area Meiji Shrine (and the attached Yoyogi Park) covers is quite large so I had a good long walk to stretch my legs. Tomorrow, if the weather is good, I will head to Shinjuku Gyoen to get some pictures of sakura (cherry blossoms).










The fish in the pond were huge.