Mom's Pictures of Japan June 2010

And now another perspective of Japan. Mom flew into Tokyo with the Arnold clan and stayed one night then came North. These are views from her hotel room.

Above: Waiting for the Shikansen. (bullet train)

Above: Andi took great delight in being able to have her grandma come to the bus stop.
And what joy, another grandma was there as well.

This is just the group of elementary kids waiting for the bus. The "big kids" have the same stop, but choose to wait a little further down the road. Can't say as how I blame them.
Below: The bus that Andi rides. Mom pointed out that I have never put a picture of the school bus on the blog.

On the 9th, 19th, and 29th of every month is the "9 market". Oddly, it starts at 9 in the morning. It's a great little farmers market that I enjoy going to, lots of fresh fruits and veggies. I still don't know what to do with the seafood...

Me above and Andi below.

A foggy day for the beach (this is the day that the wave about washed mom's belongings away) is still a great day for Andi. She'll take the beach in all kinds of weather.

Above: Shane riding off to work. He usually carries his pack with him with either a change of clothes, or his computer and school books to catch up on his studies. On average his pack weighs in at about 30-40 pounds.

Below: At the cafeteria at the Air and Space Museum, Mom found the balcony and managed to get a surprise shot.

The passenger van that I rented to hall of us around. It looks short here, but it felt a mile long on the inside. Parking was always a treat, invoking peals of laughter from the passengers. I'll just make them all walk next time.....Sad though, it had a better turning radius than the SUV I drive. Of course it is also much newer than the car I drive.

Dinner at a traditional restaurant. Well sort of traditional. Seating is on the floor, but there is a "pit" under the table, so it's just like sitting.

The Arnold's at Oirase Gorge.

Bill threatening to throw Andi into Lake Towada.

Part of the Arnold clan getting ready to catch the train back to Tokyo.

Below: Mom's view of the feeding fish frenzy.

Above: At Shipwreck Beach.

Below: A map that shows the general area of the beach. It's that red horizontal bar towards the center of the bottom of the map. Later we'll take a journey to where the picture of the horse is on the upper right.

Above: The crepe selection at Baskin Robins Ice Cream in Hachinohe.

Below: One MUST protect thyself from the droppings of the seagull.

This food stand is at the bottom of the steps leading up to the seagull shrine. I'm not real sure about getting my ice cream, or any other snack at this location...

Above: Andi went to a birthday party with the theme of "How to Train Your Dragon". The kids did an obstacle course to become "true vikings". In the end, Andi wore her helmet for about 2 days strait. Plus I think it helps to have a "viking attitude" in order to tackle sewing.

Below: Part of a monument at a Buddhist cemetery.

Now, this is one dirt road that I DO know where it ends up!

Andi and Mykah at a playground.

I think I'd like this mirror in my house! It is so complimentary!

Below: A bell tower at one of the rest stops. Don't know if bell is supposed to be rung, but no one else was about, so "for whom does the bell toll?"

Before entering the formal temples, one must remove shoes.

Below: Andi taking a break on our walk on the grounds of the Showa Daibtsu (Showa Great Buddha)

Katie hoping not to get stepped on by the Great Buddha.

Below: On the way to see the wild horses.

"You WERE here (Misawa).....but now we are up by the horse" (upper right of the map)

Yup, Mom had the same foggy view the rest of us did.

Well, that's the end of SOME of Mom's pictures. I don't have any of Tova's....but you get a pretty good idea of what they saw. There are always new adventures to go on...so no worries, there'll be more!