Japan 2006

Hey folks! We got back home shortly after New Year's and I have been meaning to update our blog and upload photos from our trip which I have finally done (See flikr for the NUMEROUS photos of Japan that are now available for your viewing pleasure!). William and I are back at work. William was back sooner than I and battling a serious case of jetlag. I was at orientation and placement this past week and start teaching this Tuesday. The pictures from our trip say a lot more than I can fit into this blog posting, but it is sufficient to say that William and I had a great trip. Tokyo was wild-there was never a lack of lights, people, or activity. We had a wonderful time in Osaka at Masako's home. She and Yoshi were very gracious and generous hosts. Masako took very, very good care of us. She is great guide and cook! We were not for want of food or sights to see. I can honestly say Japanese hospitality is unparalleled (Hear that TESOLers?...Masako is waiting for you all next!). Some highlights include a relaxing day at an Osen (hotsprings/spa-no, there aren't pictures of that. :P ) and when we went exploring a castle with Masako and her mom. We also had a lovely dinner with both her parents-Masako's dad grows great vegetables and loves baseball! And, apparently, walking along the lakefront which he did when visiting his daughter here. We moved on to Kyoto for the last part of our trip, but Masako and Yoshi joined us for a few days. Kyoto is beautiful and more laidback than Tokyo and definitely the place for temple sight seeing. We spent New Year's Eve which was an unforgettable experience. The pictures don't do that evening justice...and William, photographer extraordinaire, suffered to take photos in the cold and then the battery died in the camera! He was left to simply enjoy the gardens, the view, and some hot sake sans camera. We wish we could go back...