Sunday, April 6, 2008

Shinjuku




The park was a melting pot for all kinds of performers. We enjoyed many of the small bands that played anything from reggae, jazz, Japanese Pop, to 50's swing!
Gracie and Madeline pose for the camera.

See what we mean by "wicked style?"


This guy really enjoyed the hugs!

Elvis rockers? We're not sure, but they use A LOT of hair spray!

Sometimes we just have to take pictures of the signs. Lost in translation...

Can you spot the Americans?





Way up high!




Gwen Stefani really meant what she said when she sang about the Harajuku Girls on her last album. They do have some "wicked style" to say the least. We went to the Shinjuku Shopping District today and walked the famous Harajuku street. We visited Yoyogi Park much like New York City's Central Park. Needless to say...it was quite an experience as the pictures will show. Tokyo is a densely populated city. At times, I shuffled my feet an inch at a time because that was all the room I had to move in the sea of people. The park was an awesome blend of cultures, smells, sights, and sounds. We went into one of the buildings, Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, and from the 45th floor we had a view of the city and park from above. What an awesome sight. Madeline was a little put off by the height. You just can't believe how many buildings, streets, and houses there are. The park is like an oasis of green against all the steel and concrete. We found many photo opportunities! What an experience.

Cherry Blossom Festival












One of the most beautiful sites on Zama are the hundreds of cherry trees that blossom pink and white clouds of spring every April. It is absolutely breathtaking. On one of the hills there are at least fifty trees. When the wind blows, it appears to be snowing, as little white petals sprinkle down from the trees and fall in drifts on the grass. The festival brought Americans and Japanese out on a windy but sunny day. We enjoyed listening to the drummers in the outdoor auditorium. We munched on naan (Indian bread) and curry, yakisoba (Japanese fried noodles) and some kind of curry potato vegetable pocket! Yum! It was a great day!