Japan 2016 Spring

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Flower by the park.

Noriko is about to take Emily to the kindergarten bus stop by bicycle for the first time (instead of by car). Emily's a little excited.

Off to school!

I took a walk to one of the local malls while the kids were in school. I know a couple ways to get there, but decided to use Google Maps to see what way it would take me. I ended up finding a rare moment of solitude--an unused path in the middle of the city.

There was a random shrine along the path, as one often finds in Japan.

The kids usually play together quite well.

We bought bunk beds for the kids. Emily "helped" with the assembly.

One of my favorite things about being in a place other than where i grew up are the little random surprises. Friend of the family gave us these and i had to ask whether they were something to plant in the garden or something to eat, because i literally did not know. They are bamboo shoots, and are meant to be eaten.

This is Yuri's backpack. All elementary school kids get a similar backpack. They are expensive ($500 or $600 is normal), but *very* well made and designed to keep their contents dry even during monsoon season.

We took the kids to the zoo. The extra one lives next door.

Language note: i find it interesting how some words are put together. Lemur is「キツネザル」、which quite literally means "fox monkey". If you look at a lemur's face, that seems a rather descriptive thing to call it.

Here's another one: リスザル is pronounced "risuzaru" but literally means "squirrel monkey". The animal was named the same thing in Japanese and in English!

Fukuyama Zoo has some record-winning animals. Such as this 51 year-old monkey (which, as the sign says, is about 100 in human years).

There's a playground next to the zoo.

My last full day in Japan. We took the kids to a park.

First flight of the trip back. I like the mountains peaking through the clouds.

Why yes, i *would* like to sit for free in this private lounge that comes with a comfy chair and electric outlets to charge my phone, thank you. This was in Narita. Why don't more airports have these?

さようなら、にっぽん。　(╥_╥) From bottom to top: Pacific Ocean, Japan, sunset, Boeing 787 port wing, cloudy sky.

Flower by the park.	Noriko is about to take Emily to the kindergarten bus stop by bicycle for the first time (instead of by car). Emily's a little excited.	Off to school!
I took a walk to one of the local malls while the kids were in school. I know a couple ways to get there, but decided to use Google Maps to see what way it would take me. I ended up finding a rare moment of solitude--an unused path in the middle of the city.	There was a random shrine along the path, as one often finds in Japan.	The kids usually play together quite well.
We bought bunk beds for the kids. Emily "helped" with the assembly.	One of my favorite things about being in a place other than where i grew up are the little random surprises. Friend of the family gave us these and i had to ask whether they were something to plant in the garden or something to eat, because i literally did not know. They are bamboo shoots, and are meant to be eaten.	This is Yuri's backpack. All elementary school kids get a similar backpack. They are expensive ($500 or $600 is normal), but very well made and designed to keep their contents dry even during monsoon season.
We took the kids to the zoo. The extra one lives next door.		Language note: i find it interesting how some words are put together. Lemur is「キツネザル」、which quite literally means "fox monkey". If you look at a lemur's face, that seems a rather descriptive thing to call it.
Here's another one: リスザル is pronounced "risuzaru" but literally means "squirrel monkey". The animal was named the same thing in Japanese and in English!	Fukuyama Zoo has some record-winning animals. Such as this 51 year-old monkey (which, as the sign says, is about 100 in human years).	There's a playground next to the zoo.
	My last full day in Japan. We took the kids to a park.	First flight of the trip back. I like the mountains peaking through the clouds.
Why yes, i would like to sit for free in this private lounge that comes with a comfy chair and electric outlets to charge my phone, thank you. This was in Narita. Why don't more airports have these?	さようなら、にっぽん。　(╥_╥) From bottom to top: Pacific Ocean, Japan, sunset, Boeing 787 port wing, cloudy sky.