Shibuya

I spent nearly the whole of my first day in Tokyo in Shibuya - - a mecca for teen & young adult shopping and one of the coolest neighborhoods in what is a gigantic city.



This is the Tokyo often seen in movies, where people crowd intersections, and lights are abundant and flashing from towering video screens. On each floor of Shibuya 109 - - THE place to shop - - sound comes at you from all angles; expect to hear at least three different albums competing for attention. MIA and Justin Timberlake are turned up to 11 in what can only be described as some sort of teenage cacophony of sound, fashion, and bored shouts of "Irashaimase!"




Despite great clothes (think T-shirts with nonsensical combinations of English words printed on them - I bought one that reads "Watch Out! Lucky Bug Fighter!") don't expect to find anything in your size unless your size is xxs (I never said I'd actually be able to wear said bug shirt).

After checking out each floor stop at the eighth for some fantastic sushi - you can even order tuna from the tank. (English menu available).





Be sure to visit the statue of Hachikō near the train station entrance - a cultural landmark dedicated to the memory of a loyal dog.

On Our Way

After hugging our neighbors goodbye, we began our journey Monday morning, August 11th. It started with Ryan calling 764-HERO (which I'm thoroughly convinced is a brilliant placebo to curb incidents of road rage) to report a driver illegally using the carpool lane. But he made the call without using his hands free device, therefore making the telephone call itself, illegal. "No matter," says Hubby, "It has to be done. I'm a vigilante." I've since been calling him, The Road Warrior.



Eight hot hours from Seattle to Ashland, where upon our arrival we gratefully curled up in our air-conditioned room at the historic Ashland Springs Hotel. After showering, we decided that since the temperature had cooled, and it was a lovely evening, that we should dine outdoors at the hotel's restaurant, Larks.



While we were dining, 5 or 6 deer appeared and simply walked across Main Street at sunset (in the crosswalk no less). They were adults, adolescents, and toddlers - -completely unafraid, and as deer always are, totally majestic.

When we returned to our room, sweet Giles immediately cuddled up and sacked out.





The next day we arrived in Marin, where Giles will be staying with my Dad, his wife, Susan, and their dogs, Chloe and Agatha.




While in Marin, we had dinner at Sushiholic in Novato with our friends, Mariah & Jeff, who had spent a couple of months in Japan. Not only did they provide great conversation and company, but some wonderful ideas of things to see and do in Tokyo and Kyoto.




The night before we left, we had sushi again - - this time with Dad & Suze by the pool.



We drank Kissui Vodka - - a Japanese Vodka made with rice and Wokka Saki-- a combination of vodka and sake labeled "A fusion of two noble cultures." It's apparently favored by the Snow Monsters of Mt. Zao.