Things I have been up to

I haven't spent all my time in classes and giving English lessons; I've been going to a lot of festivals and parks with friends.  It's been lovely. 

This park is in the middle of Tokyo, next to the bay.  It's near the huge fish market (the largest in the world) where I didn't really go; we did eat lunch there though. 

The contrast of city and park is very typically Tokyo; there are several parks in the middle of the city where the dichotomy is really strong.  These pictures were from a few weeks ago when the sakura (cherry blossoms) were still in bloom. 


Yasukuni Shrine (靖国神社) is a really political place; it's a shrine dedicated to Japan's war dead,  and was established in the Meiji era (beginning 1868).  In the 70s or so several class A war criminals from WWII were enshrined, and there were huge protests and outcries; recently, prime ministers have made official visits to the shrine, which many claim blurs the church / state boundaries.  It's a very interesting place, and includes a museum documenting Japan's military (which many believe is very slanted).  Obviously I had to go; I went over the week-long break we had a week or so ago (I was sick for most of it, and so couldn't travel).  This is the meeting hall; I don't have a good picture of the actual shrine or gates. 

Yesterday, I went to a major Shinto festival called the Sanji Festival (三寺祭り), which is an abbreviation of 'three shrines'.  As one might guess, it is put together by three shrines, and is a Big Deal.  Alters are carried about through the street; some weigh several tons.  A major goal of mine was to eat lots of festival food, which I am happy to say I accomplished.  Here are some of the festival participants:

It was a beautiful day and the festival was crowded.  The train was rather full leaving, as well:

Tyis is me photo-shy friend from Edenborough, Claire; we got seats near the end of the trip, but since we were riding the line from one end to the other (in pursuit of another festival), this isn't saying much. 

This is the dog at one of our favorite bars.  The owner is the only person who works there, and he brings Pheobe with him.  The bar is really small and fun; there are masks from all over the world on the walls so well call it 'Tribal Bar' (which is not it's name).  

I've been giving him English lessons; we meet at the bar, and last week Phoebe spent the whole hour snoring in my lap.   Ko always plays excellent music in the evening, which is a great change from the American and Japanese R&B and pop that most places play.