I am back, friends It was a good training. Some pictures to tide you over as I sleep and catch up.
(Tempura Dinner)
(View from our room)
(Unagi [Eel])
(Oizagongen Shrine - Tokyo)
(Tokyo at night)
(Embu, Kobudo Kyokai Taikai)
(Embu, Kobudo Kyokai Taikai)
(Shugenji Temple - Kamakura)
(Hasedera Temple - Kamakura)
(Kamakura Bay)
(Tsurugaoka Shrine - Kamakura)
(Engakuji Trmple)
(Meiji Temple - Tokyo)
Welcome home. From the sample photos, it looks like we will have some interesting blog posts to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI never would have guessed that the second food photo is eel. Not a common offering to be sure. All I know of eel is that they ate it in ancient England, but they were small river eels. I'm guessing you enjoyed an ocean eel. It does look good.
Thank you Leigh! Yes, hopefully some good posts - there was a lot of training, but a lot of other things as well, the sorts of things that one gets as not quite the experience of a tourist just passing through major attractions.
DeleteUnagi (as sold in Japan) is freshwater eel (apparently the Japanese freshwater eel) that is grilled. The sauce is what really makes it.
Welcome back sir, rest up now. And....where are the earth shattering roars?! No skyscrapers being torn and battered? No mobs fleeing huge reptilian feet? No Gojira? So disapoint........:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Nylon12! I slept 10-12 hours last night, which is remarkable for me.
DeleteSadly, no Kaiju sightings this trip.
W. in CA
ReplyDeletePretty incredible experience, I'm sure. Are you happy to be back? Or would you rather live there? I read how clean and crime free Japan is. They are also very polite and respectful, maybe even kind?
W - I am happy to be back. Over time and trips, I have found that two weeks is about my maximum that I can stand to be on the road. It is nice to sleep in one's own bed, and A the Cat and J the Rabbit were very happy to see us.
DeleteThat said, there are a lot of things about "here" that I did not miss at all. Turns out that one can get along quite nicely without the "current thing here" that seems to permeate so much of our current milieu here in the United States.
It is never a completely honest thing to completely base one's views on a trip abroad - although to be fair to myself, this is not the first time I have been in Japan nor do I have the typical "tourist" experience while I am there. Certainly at a surface level, Japan has a lot to offer in terms of the things you suggest - general cleanliness, lack of crime (some kinds of crime, anyway), overall respect for others. Like anywhere else of course, that can be a little superficial as it does not see the other aspects of Japanese society that are below the surface of the visitor.
But it is certainly a tempting thought to consider.
Being a big fan of unagi, I would have loved to have that bowl to tuck into! I agree with your comment to Leigh though, it is the sauce that really makes that dish! Welcome back. Our country is about the same as when you left, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteEd, it was very good. And the portions were very generous (not including the other side dishes that came along with it.
DeleteHaving spent almost two weeks out of the news cycle in the Far Abroad, I do not think I have the heart to notify a great many people that have current event angst how little it matters in other places.