Cherry Blossom Time
Yesterday, I forced the kids at knifepoint to go see early cherry blossoms at Miurakaigan. There was moaning and groaning and gnashing of teeth, but I decided we were going. My parents, God love them, used to drag us places that weren't exactly on our "wish list" and dang, except for EROS Data Center, I'm really glad that we went to those places!
Even though I didn't want to go to EROS, see how I still remember it so fondly Dad? Ha!
Had a bit of a snafu with the train, but otherwise arrived safely, along with 1.6 billion other Japanese people wanting to enjoy the sakura. Sigh. Hans and I don't enjoy crowds. Maybe that's putting it mildly. Hans and I hate crowds...crowded places bring out the worst in us. Let's just say that I would say that random crowds have witnessed many of the more beautiful, touching moments of my marriage.
No big surprise because we are homebodies and get anxious in crowds and social settings...now Josiah is telling us that crowds upset him. So we've got a super-special triangle of firstborn social anxiety going on when we are anywhere crowded. What, Japan? Crowded? Yes and YES.
We no more than got off the train and were borne by a wave of shuffling Japanese people admiring the sakura along a long, narrow sidewalk. TWO way traffic on a narrow sidewalk with the road running .5" from the edge of said sidewalk. I was constantly unnerved that we would get expelled into traffic should some tiny Japanese woman sneeze or something.
It was hard to get pictures because we couldn't stop. If we stopped, it meant certain death. Everyone says that Japanese people are kind and thoughtful...except during sakura time...the delicate scent of the cherry blossom causes them to trample whatever is between them and the sakura.
We did manage to find a bit of land to stop and have ice cream on afterwards...
Happy cherry blossom time...this was an early varietal, so expect more cherry blossoms as March progresses!
Even though I didn't want to go to EROS, see how I still remember it so fondly Dad? Ha!
Had a bit of a snafu with the train, but otherwise arrived safely, along with 1.6 billion other Japanese people wanting to enjoy the sakura. Sigh. Hans and I don't enjoy crowds. Maybe that's putting it mildly. Hans and I hate crowds...crowded places bring out the worst in us. Let's just say that I would say that random crowds have witnessed many of the more beautiful, touching moments of my marriage.
No big surprise because we are homebodies and get anxious in crowds and social settings...now Josiah is telling us that crowds upset him. So we've got a super-special triangle of firstborn social anxiety going on when we are anywhere crowded. What, Japan? Crowded? Yes and YES.
We no more than got off the train and were borne by a wave of shuffling Japanese people admiring the sakura along a long, narrow sidewalk. TWO way traffic on a narrow sidewalk with the road running .5" from the edge of said sidewalk. I was constantly unnerved that we would get expelled into traffic should some tiny Japanese woman sneeze or something.
It was hard to get pictures because we couldn't stop. If we stopped, it meant certain death. Everyone says that Japanese people are kind and thoughtful...except during sakura time...the delicate scent of the cherry blossom causes them to trample whatever is between them and the sakura.
We did manage to find a bit of land to stop and have ice cream on afterwards...
Remember--Forced Outing
OK, that's better!
Squid
OK, there was a 3 second timespan when we weren't being crushed in the pack...I MAY have exaggerated a little. Try to conceal your shock.
Cabbage
We were on the other (blessedly quiet) side of the street...see that solid wall of humanity?
For some reason, I really like this shot.
Happy cherry blossom time...this was an early varietal, so expect more cherry blossoms as March progresses!
Comments
You gave me an interest in exploring the world around me Dad. Even if it nearly kills us to get out and see something, I make the effort to do it. I love the feel of the open road and I love to travel. For that, I thank you...