Dark Horse - Blast Off!

Fifty years ago we watched the Apollo 11 launch and we saw a man walk on the moon as it was happening on live television. Fifty years ago, something else happened. I dropped in to say hello. Now there were many obvious reasons  as to why I should not take a trip to Tokyo. It's too far. Laurels too young. I don't speak Japanese. It's too expensive, etcetera, etcetera. Though I did have
these concerns, I made a promise, I had a plan and I turn 50. I knew I would regret not doing something big this year.



   I know I talk all the time about the extensive planning involved in my travels but this trip is set apart and at a whole different level. Los Angeles was a breeze but I knew I had a project ahead of me once I left it's comforts. For months I spent hours researching geography, lifestyle and culture, navigation, time zones and conversions, train maps and routes, weather patterns, virtual tours, currency conversion, and where to find conveyor belt sushi. I even watched a YouTube video of a guy getting of at the Otori Station (the station near our hotel in Ota City) so that I could verify the landmarks according to Google maps.

   My stomach would be in knots each day as the big day grew close. So here it goes. Here is the low down of how all my planning helped me to prepare and a few other things I learned along the way.

 Geography

Out of the twelve days I was gone (besides the bag fees mentioned earlier), there were really only two major fails  this trip on my part.

   Sometimes when I plan, I can be a little impulsive with regards to clicking buttons. I think it's all part of being a beginner at this and having some growing pains. With this being the case, I am learning that one simple loss of attention to detail can throw off your travel plans significantly.

   So here we were. We were booked, arrived to LAX and finally found our check-in point for our luggage. Once you are in place and on time, it's like a huge burden is lifted. I was in my jammies and finally feeling confident about everything.

   We did not have a direct flight into Tokyo. We actually flew 14 hours into Hong Kong Monday morning and four more hours to Tokyo from there. That along with everything that needed to be done at the airport with immigration and customs made for a very long arrival process. When I initially booked the package, I had planned to be sure that our hotel was close to the airport so that we would have a short ride after this long arrival flight and to be sure we would have that same short train ride on our departure day.

   It was at that moment before check-in that I had learned something. There are TWO airports for Tokyo travelers. Haneda International, the one I assumed we would fly into, and Narita is the other one that is located North East of Tokyo, an hour and a half away from our hotel. One could imagine, my reaction when the check-in attendant informed me that we would be flying into Narita. I had no idea what she was even talking about.

   I now had to scramble in a short amount of time to create a plan B where we were about to board and I would have no internet access. It wasn't really that detrimental as we would not have to worry about that much during our stay. It only meant that the already very long arrival day would be even  longer as well as the departure day. It was an oversight where I definitely learned a lesson about attention to detail when booking.


Time Zones

I was not exactly sure how two time zone changes along the way would affect us. We were in Los Angeles for three days where we were three hours behind Atlanta. After three days, we adjusted pretty well to this it's just that we were ready for bedtime earlier in the day.

   When you cross over the Mid-Pacific Ocean you pass over the International Date line which is where the present day runs into the next. Along with a very long arrival and not certain how the time change would affect us, I thought it would be a good idea to have a built in recovery day once we arrived to Tokyo which is sixteen hours ahead of Los Angeles. With that being the case and our flight leaving LAX at 1:30 AM Sunday morning with a short sleep on the plane, Sunday pretty much for the most part did not exist for us.

   Now here's what I did not consider but certainly makes sense. We left that following Sunday afternoon a week later, spent most of the day getting back to Narita and took a direct flight back to Los Angeles which left at 6:40 PM. We flew ten hours straight once again through the night and arrived the next morning at 11:00 AM. It had been Sunday the day before and here we are and Sunday is just now getting started. That is a grand total of TWO back to back Sundays with one of them as a freebie!
 
  Jet lag, however did not really affect us at any point. We slept well that first night and enjoyed our hang out day that first day at our hotel. We strangely fell in to a daily groove where we awoke at 5:00 AM each morning and went to bed around 8:00 PM which is completely off from my usual Summer night owl and sleep in the next morning routine.

Tokyo


There is really a lot to be touched upon here but there were some very significant cultural ways of life in Japan that gripped my attention.

 
No Eating While Walking

The first thing that I noticed about the streets of Tokyo is that there is no trash. Anywhere! In fact it is difficult to even find a trash receptacle on the streets.The reason for this is because the Japanese people believe that it is polite to not eat while walking on the streets or on the train and that food should be enjoyed with chopsticks while seated at a table. That impressed me.



No Shoes Inside Homes or Hotels

While I work with Vietnamese children in their homes, this was a no brainer. In Japan, as well as all of Asia, it is expected that you remove your shoes before you enter. When we arrived at our hotel, the host was kind enough to provide us each with a charming pair of white slippers.
 
 
Don't Walk Means: Don't Walk

I thought it was interesting that everyone rode bikes or walked everywhere in the community we were in. However in Tokyo, don't walk signs do not mean walk anyway even if the next car is at a distance like we do here in the US.


They Speak, Well, Japanese

With the exception of the host at our hotel and one of the staff members at the Shinagawa train station, there is very little spoken English in Tokyo. I was confident when the host sent me a welcome email after booking the hotel room and was very impressed with his English skills. This led me to believe that the English language is spoken and understood here. The only time the English language is used was typically on signage only throughout the city or in the train announcements in between stops. If you can get a good internet connection, it is best to have a translation app open to communicate important information. This was helpful one morning when I woke up with a headache and went to Seven - Eleven for help. The attendant did not understand that I only needed IBU profen but instead some how thought I needed the hospital at first.


Japan Does Not Like Germs

Many citizens of Japan where protective masks around the city. Typically in the US, someone who is very ill with a compromised immune system may wear one of these. However, if a Japanese individual has merely a common cold, they want to be considerate of others while out in public. It is for this reason that they don't often shake hands. I learned my lesson after I attempted to shake someones hand at a church service! You politely bow instead.


This was all just the beginning of an incredible journey. We are here! We are here to walk around, look at things and take pictures, eat sushi, ride lots of trains, go shopping and celebrate 50 years. There were a lot of unknowns just as there were for the Apollo astronauts. I might get scared at times but I will never let my daughter see me cry and I have no choice but to succeed!


Fun Fact

The second of my two major fails on this trip was when we arrived to Los Angeles the first time. We had bought matching luggage with a blue-green floral pattern. This was so that our luggage would be easily identifiable at baggage claim. We had the two suit cases and a brown overnight bag that was checked in on that flight. The brown bag contained all my hair and make up supplies, vitamins, a cork screw and a little bit of Vodka. Sure enough our two suitcases were quickly and easily spotted. Then we picked up our two bags and, well, just walked away.....while the poor brown bag just kept going around.... and around..... and around...

 

This is My Father's House - The Basilica of St Lawrence

While still in the afterglow of having visited both Los Angeles and Tokyo last month, I still cannot seem to get Asheville, North Carolina off my mind. I don't think I ever will completely.

    I love traveling with my kids but when I travel without them, I seem to accomplish more as I have more freedom to do things that may not be so kid-friendly.

    Recently, I have been compelled to visit cathedrals when I travel to a different city. Whenever I arrive to my destination and see one of these iconic storehouses as I pass through town, it is as though it is a pilgrimage and the visit has to happen sometime before I leave. I already feel as though I have missed out having not done this already at cities I have visited in the past.

   As if there isn't enough to see already in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, a monarch of all structures within the city stands just on the edge of downtown since 1909.

   For 110 years, inscence has permeated the air, hymns have resounded and babies have cried while being baptized while loved ones surrounded them. I now will bask in the wonder of this place.


   Not all who wander are lost. Though we may admire the beauty of these places, if we are people of faith, they are very much places where we feel we are at home. In most cases, the doors of the Catholic church are always open for anyone who needs a time of solitude for meditation and for those who seek the comfort of being in God's presence. I have only been to one cathedral overseas and I'm not even sure I have ever been to a basilica. However based on photos I have seen and research I have done, the artistry and fine detail inside the Basilica of St. Lawrence appeared to resemble those which are in Europe. There are many reminders in these cathedrals that are tied to the foundations of our faith. Here I have found a few favorites.

  

   The nice thing about a cathedral is that it is difficult to take a bad picture as long as the camera is in focus. Everything is so colorful with great detail and diversity all that have their own stories.

  The adoration chapel was the first place I felt compelled towards. For Catholics, adoration is a time to be in the presence of God the father in a consecrated host which is visible in a Monstrance. Though there are conflicting views across many religions regarding this, the presence of God here is very powerful. Candles are lit without ever being distinguished.

  

I continued to admire more of the beauty behind this magnificent place. On the opposite end of the sanctuary, was the Chapel of Our Lady. The marble statue of Mary was  molded after a Baroque painting by  Bartolme Murillo titled "Our Lady of the Assumption." The base of the alter honors eight well known women of history who were canonized as saints.

I was greatly inspired when I discovered that there actually were many elements here that reflected works of European art. Beneath the adorned domed ceiling, there was a painting in the Chapel of Our Lady by a Baroque Italian artist named Massimo Stanzione titled "The Visitation." It's image presents Mary who is visibly with-child and in the company of her guest.

          
                                         "The Visitation" 
                                       Massimo Stanzione
  


Rafael Guastavino

   The achitect of the St Lawrence Basillica is from Spain! I may not be in a European cathedral but in a sense, I kind of am. Rafael Guastavino settled in Black Mountain, North Carolina in 1890 after he was commissioned to work for George W. Vanderbilt. Rafael's architecture is unique and very effective as it of tile and morder structure. The layout of the structure is of horizontal fashion making it highly durable and fireproof and contains no wood of any kind. Before his death in 1905, his work will have included tiles for the Grand Central Station Terminal and Carnegie Hall in New York City as well as the Boston Public Library and the Supreme Court building in Washington DC.

The tile placement in the workmanship of Rafael Guastavino is evident in the dome structure of the Basilica. The free standing elliptical dome measures at 82' X 58' making it the largest in North America.

Dark Horse - LA Picks

From an aerial view of about 30,000 feet over the western half of the US, miles and endless miles of wasteland is visible through the airplane window. As you grow closer towards the San Andreas fault, this barren dessert soon instantly becomes a home to a sea of civilization known as Los Angeles California.

   I had not been to California since I was about 7 years old. We were living in El Paso, Texas at the time and we took the family truckster for the 800 mile distance to the city of Ventura, CA. While we were there, we would visit family, go to the beach, and go to Disneyland and Universal Studios. I remember the crabs and the many shapes and sizes of starfish from the sunny beach of the west coast, the Matterhorn was my first roller coaster and I remember just how fake Jaws looked up close and in person.

   Over 40 years later, I now have had the opportunity to return. It was for somewhat of a limited stay but the beloved family that was hosting us made sure that we saw as much as possible in that short amount of time. We saw many places and shot photos of numerous things such as Capital Records, the well known Hollywood sign which overlooks the city, and saw a lovely sunset at the Santa Monica Pier. There were however, a few experiences that really stood out for me as favorites. Some of which may possibly be overlooked by tourists.



Westfield

Visiting a shopping mall isn't necessarily on my
priority list when I travel from out of town.

However, when I was planning my trip to London in 2017, I did want to see what this experience would be like in another country. I had researched that there was a lovely resemblance of the American shopping experience at a place called Westfield. Unfortunately, the location closest to our area in Kensington was not accessible due to the Grenfell Tower disaster which happened that summer during our visit.

    I was happy to learn that Westfield locations are also in Los Angeles and even better, within walking distance from the home of my beloved family!

   It had been a day of sightseeing and adventure and we were cooling our heels for a while back home. Laurel was working on her Anime drawings and it was very quiet at home. After a while, I began to feel a little restless as there was more of  LA to see right outside my window.

   I put a little groove in my step as I made my way through the swanky area of Century City. I was proud just to take in the moment to celebrate the fact that I had intentionally made the choice to be free from all worries and on go on a vacation. Regardless of the sacrifice, it felt amazing!

Now if you don't mind, I'm going to be a little hokie (as if I haven't been in this paragraph already) and make a reference to one of my favorite songs by Pharell Williams:"Happy."  In the chorus, he refers to being happy as
 though you are in a "room without a roof." It is really no different than the malls we have here at home with that exception... Well, in actuality that is the concept of this particular location. Since there is very little rain in Los Angeles, it is possible to have a roofless shopping mall. In doing so, it is also possible to chill on hammocks located around the premises and walk your dog. It was also where I was able to have a taste the local culture of the city. Luckily, my timing was good in this capacity. It just so happened that there was a promotional event for Hendrick Scottish Gin. The floral themed promotion was for a new variety called Midsummer Solstice infused with floral essence (read this of the bottle.) Here I was met with a beautiful marketing display, fresh flowers to take home and was followed by a walking human garden.








Westwood Village


It would be our big day before our plane for Tokyo would go airborne for a sleepy time flight at 1:00am the next morning. Before the chaos of this evening to follow, we were in the need for a visit to a special place with some tranquillity. It was very sunny and quiet in the heart of the city. My beloved family took us to a very well kept secret in the midst of this bustling metropolis. I was in awe and speechless as we were surrounded by beauty and pleasant memories.

(Next that same day after lunch, we visited Venice Beach. There will be a slide show for that one!)

Rodeo Drive

Now I just wanted a pair of socks. That's all. Or something of that nature.  Even if I had to shell out $20.....but only Rodeo Drive. No where else. So in case anyone asks, I can simply say: "I got it on Rodeo Drive!"

   When we left Tokyo, we were fortunate to not have to say goodbye to vacation right away. Our beloved family once again welcomed us as we passed through one more time and this is where we spent our afternoon. It was just as swanky in real life as it was for Julia Roberts and I couldn't get the Pretty Woman theme song out of my head!
  







When we we first approached Tiffany & Co. we thought "Are we actually allowed to go inside this place?" The store employees knew we likely would not be buying anything today but with tourist around often, I'm sure they already knew that. 

This was the only item with a price tag.

   Before the Little Blue Box, Tiffany & Co. had a rich history starting out with general merchandise in Brooklyn, Connecticut. As the company evolved over time and changed hands in management, this mecca of luxury now has locations all over the world (including Westfield in London!)

   It was really more like a museum. Each piece we saw was beautifully crafted and uniquely designed like a work of art. Some of the collections at this store are designed by a woman named Paloma Picasso. Anyone with the name "Picasso" is worthy of a considerable price tag.

We walked through the area and saw names like Versace, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and other smaller retailers where you could find a pair of shoes for about $1000. However, ice cream is available and affordable from the ice cream man and can be purchased between Gucci and Prada!

   I came away with a little more pizazz than a pair socks and on Rodeo Drive that I could afford!

                                                                     Only $25.00!



Paloma Picasso is a direct descendant of world-famous artist, Pablo Picasso.

Fun Fact: 

In 2008, my identity was compromised and my so called "avatar" had loads of fun at not only Tiffany's but also American Girl and Old Navy until I pulled the plug after receiving a call from my bank. The charges were disputed and reversed thankfully but I still however receive the Tiffany & Co. Blue Book in the mail since this pilferer likely used my billing address for the purchases. My credit has been frozen ever since.

Laurels favorite part from Los Angeles:

In the midst of the craziness of the Hollywood streets, many posers of superheros in cheap costumes attempt to try to manipulate the tourists into having photos made with them and "collecting" afterwards. That's not even the funny part. The really funny part was the reaction of the Superman wannabe to the smarter tourists who knew to flee.