A postscript to our Tokyo trip:

We had great timing by leaving Tokyo on Sunday. Although we swore we felt some small tremors while in Tokyo recently (they have them ALL the time there & we usually do feel at least one), there was a big one out in the ocean near Tokyo on Monday -- the day AFTER we left. It was a 7.0, & did some damage & the tsunami warnings went up. Of course, Japan has the best tsunami warning system in the world, but none materialized -- just bigger tides.

In addition, the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Sayako was married in Tokyo on Tuesday, and there was a lot going on there that day. She tried to keep it small scale, however, since she married a commoner – a Tokyo city employee – and by doing so, must by law, give up the royal life. It was reported that she wants to learn how to clean, cook, and do her own laundry – things she’s probably never had to do. She’s taking driving lessons & has been practicing shopping in grocery stores. The newlyweds plan to live on his salary, although the former princess was given a sizeable parting gift to help her get by. Japanese royalty are very similar to the British royalty – separate from politics but of course, they are very respected.

FETC Trip

We took a trip to Tokyo Sun 11/6 through – Sat 11/12. Stan & Lorri (ETs at the MCAS Iwakuni schools) attended the annual Far East Technology Conference (FETC). John and I went along for the ride. This was my third or forth trip to stay at the New Sanno, which is a US-owned hotel in the Hiroo section of downtown Tokyo. There is so much to see there, that one never tires of going! We saw some of the same things we’ve seen before & some new places.

Lorri, John & Margie on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo. This was John�s first Shin ride. At one point, the lighted sign showed that we were going 300 kmph (187 mph). 

Computer nerds enjoying the train ride. 

Ready to eat in the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. 

Yum! 

Ginger salad & appetizers. 

Interesting dinner companions. I am talking to the man with the moustach. He is also a teacher. He said the main levels in life and the after-life are Priests, Teachers, and then others which are not significant. I agreed. 

Our chef. He did not throw the food around or flip spatulas and juggle knives. That is an American thing. I tried to get him to toss an egg up to his hat. He finally understood what I wanted him to do. He must have thought I was atamagahen, because security appeared and watched me eat. 

Ginza (shopping) at night. 

Ginza at night. 

This was in a store front window. As the music played, the characters moved and performed. It reminded us of Loveman's at Christmas time. 

More lights. 

Scale model of Yamato, promoting a new Tom Cruise movie. 

Stan, John & Lorri at the Ginza. 

Shadow of huge spider sculpture at Rappongi. It was too dark for the whole spider to show up. 

Egg sack from underneath spider sculpture. 

Stan and Margie at Rappongi with Tokyo Tower behind them. 

John and Lorri at Rappongi with Tokyo Tower behind them. 

Fountain in front of New Sanno Hotel. 

Stan enters the doorway of Japanese restaurant that Diane Dill took us to. 

The kitchen. 

Inside the restaurant. 

View from upstairs. 

Leaving through the garden in front of restaurant. 

Stan & Lorri presenting at the ET conference. Well, we had to put this one in. After all, the conference was the purpose of the trip. 

This Rodeo Drive is in the Hiroo district of Tokyo.