What you see before you will be my life distilled into simple words and
pictures ... well probably more pictures than words. So sue me, I'm a visual
person. Why have I put
so much effort into this webpage? It's a reflection of me, so I have to
give it my all, no? More than anything else, the page gives me a place to
present my photos, air my thoughts, and, for all general purposes, vent.
I hope you enjoy what you read and/or see ...
Lately, my web presence has been dwindling down to nonexistent. The problem is
that after work, I never feel like plopping down in front of a computer to do
anything that required thought. This is where the Web 2.0 has kicked in...
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Tokyo is huge. The subway map by itself is mindblogging, let alone the
busy intersections, bustling side alleys and hectic mad rush of its
inhabitants. What awestruck me most, however, was the seemingly random
intermingling of old world shrines with modern day skyscrapers. Behind each
corner, a meandering row of torii gates or a pocket shrine. |
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If you had to limit yourself to one destination in Japan, it should be Kyoto
(as based on my very limited tour of the nation obviously).
Picturesque temples, shrines,
cherry blossoms, sand gardens, enormous markets, etc. What more could you
want? This is why I travel after all...well, that and food. |
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I will say one thing about the Mitchpayos: they love their festivals. The
one planned for this weekend was the Inuyama Festival of the Haritsuna Shrine,
characterized by three-tiered floats that serve as mobile puppet stages.
The best part for me, of course, were the tacoyaki balls. I mean yum. The
gorgeous floats and costumes came a close second. |
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Emperor Meiji effectively modernized feudal Japan
during his reign in a period termed the Meiji Restoration. As a byproduct
of this trasition was the blending of traditional Japanese and contemporary
architecture. The outdoor park Meiji Mura displays this architectural fusion
at its best...plus it allows me to play with my camera in one of my favorite
topics. =) |
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Reasons why Nagoya rocks: 1. The Robot Museum, 2. Fry-it-your-own-damn-self
restaurants, 3. Beer and sake vending machines, and 4. a baseball team with
bright blue and pink dragons as mascots. Okay, it may not be the most
culturally representative city in Japan, but it did give me a good
perspective of everyday Japan life...it's expensive. |
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Can you believe that last time I vacationed out of country was in 2000 (Ankur's
wedding)? Well, I have finally made it abroad in a Cherry Blossoms-inspired
trip to Japan to see the Mitchpayos in their new crib. Color me impressed.
It didn't hurt that all the food was great, and that Mya/Kai were in totally
playful moods. |
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