At Home Far From Home

It wasn't hell.

Both Sumie and I had been looking forward to our trip to Japan, but dreading the ten hour flight.  Mimi, as readers of this blog might remember, is not the best flyer and we were concerned that ten hours in a metal with hundreds of complete strangers would send our normally cute little girl into tantrums of airline rage...for ten straight hours.

What a trooper Mimi was, despite our (low) expectations.  Part of it had to do with our seats.  We lucked out with the first row of economy (no business class for us), which had extra space between the seats and the wall that separates the lower classes from the rich, powerful, and high mileaged (this last one is my former self).  Mimi decided that rather than sit with us, she'd camp out on the floor with her toys.  She only slept an hour the entire flight (we snowed her with Benadryl), but she played quietly and endeared herself to all the flight attendants.  She was even giggling when we landed.

Upon landing we boarded the Narita Express, bound for Shinagawa.  This was Mimi's first real train journey.  She loved it!

We turned in early that first night: 8pm.  This was abnormal for me and Sumie, who, in the past, would split up upon arriving in Tokyo and go out to party, separately, with our friends.  We'd both arrive home sometime around midnight.  Let's just say that kids change things.  And, I'm happy to say, usually for the better.

Without having stayed up with friends the night before, we were able to wake up in time for NHK calisthenics.  This is an early-morning exercise program (Rajio Taiso) on NHK (Japan's PBS or, more closely, BBC) and it is watched by mainly by the older generation.  This may explain why of the three women setting the pace on screen, the one who takes center stage is in a chair.  Mimi didn't mind, though.  She wanted to take part.

She was even able to get her Mama in the groove.

After her workout, it was time for some refreshments.  Now that we're in Japan, Mimi insists upon Lemon Water.  It's her drink of choice.  Somehow I doubt we'll be getting an endorsement anytime soon.

While in Tokyo we're staying at Sumie's family's home.  It's empty right now, but as the home where she grew up along with her brothers and sister, it holds a lot of memories and still feels wonderful.  It also has some great views.  It's not everyday you get to see a bullet train coming by.  Unless you live in Tokyo!

It's been wonderful being back in Tokyo.  3 years have passed since Sumie and I last explored this city together, but it still feels like a home away from home.  I'm not sure why that its - having grown up in Paradise, California it sure as hell shouldn't - but Tokyo, much like NYC, just feels right.  There's always a small sense of "Ah, it's nice to be back" whenever we return.  For me, it's like a second hometown.

We've been in Japan three nights now and we've already had so many adventures that I've fallen behind.  Can't wait to share them all with you!