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Chanko nabe
Chanko nabe is what makes sumo wrestlers fat. Last night, too tired to cook at home, we had dinner at Kushikyu, a chain of restaurants that focuses on food to eat while swilling beer and whiskey. (I think of Kushikyu as the Denny’s of the drinking set) They were having a special on chanko nabe,…
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4:00 am, Tokyo
At 4:00 am, Tokyo is very quiet. The hum of my computers drowns out the distant sounds of sparse traffic. Birds are asleep; school children are asleep. The construction sites all around me are still. The sun is waiting in the wings for his cue to come onstage. The sky is inky; streetlights dot the…
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Ah, home
Ah, home. The familiar sounds and smells of Tokyo welcomed me back home this evening. The musical train announcements, the sound of bicycles swerving to avoid pedestrians, the scents of oden and ramen wafting over the smell of car exhaust. It’s good to be home.
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Travel weary
How can I be here in Italy and have nothing to say? I’m not sure, but I think jetlag has finally hit me. I could curl up under the table and sleep now (it’s 11 am here). My powers of observation are limited to Internet points and caffe bars. Please, more caffeine and a ‘Net…
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Anniversary
Today is a full moon, Friday the 13th, and our 11th wedding anniversary. Normally on our anniversary, we visit the place where we were married–Pittsburgh’s South Side–to stroll the streets, windowshop the antique stores and dine at Dairy Queen, just as we did on the day we eloped. This year, we strolled over the Ponte…
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Layers of Rome
Rome is amazing. Layer upon layer of history. We came across an aquaduct last night whose ancient water line was at street level. It’s supporting arches were excavated to a depth of about 10 meters below the street. Everywhere we turn there are more old things to see. Churches, temples, scavenged columns, Bernini churches and…
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I miss rice
I miss rice. I can understand why Japanese people seek out Japanese restaurants when they travel abroad. I am so sick of American food. Please, some miso soup and tsukemono! Alas, it is not to be. I leave America tomorrow for Italy. In fact, for the next week postings will be erratic. I’ll be in…
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Phone call
Sometimes a phone call is the most wonderful thing. During this short jaunt to the US, I’m keeping busy helping with wedding preparations–always a lot of last minute details–so I don’t have a chance to catch up with friends. But I called one today and chatted for a few minutes. Hearing a voice I love…
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Shoppping in America
Shoppping in America is really fun. We’ve travelled back to the States for a family wedding and I spent my afternoon in a mall. Ostensibily, we were buying things for the bride but I had a bit of a spree, too. I couldn’t help it. Everything fits and it’s all so inexpensive. I bought shoes…
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Bank tranfer
On the Narita Express, 60 seconds from the airport station, Tod’s cell phone rings. It’s Susan Tani calling to give us the billing information for Sunday’s move. “Can you pay promptly?” she asks. We want to pay, but we’re on our way out of Japan for two weeks. What can we do? On the way…
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