Photos
>> December 19, 2009
A few photos from Japan....
You can see the rest of our travel photos by visiting our Photo Travel Site (password is "travel").
Showing posts with label japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label japan. Show all posts
Tokyo is building 'Super' Levees
When Katrina sent a 35 foot (11 meter) wall of water over Waveland on the Mississippi Gulf Coast levees surrounding New Orleans were overtopped and collapsed.
Tokyo, where we are now visiting, has its history of floods. Mumbai, [where we will visit Hume Churches and Maharashti Missions in March 2010, (missions begun by my great great grandfather)], also has had many floods. Tokyo, Mumbai, and New Orleans are all cities built on alluvial plains created by river deltas. Many coastal port cities have historically been developed at or below sea level across the globe. What was it then, after the flooding caused by hurricane Katrina that caused so many in the US to suggest that New Orleans should not be rebuilt because of its propensity for flooding? What do you think?
Sacramento, California, Lower Manhattan, the National Mall in Washington DC are but a few examples of cities in the US on the edge of enormous flooding disasters. But as we begin to contemplate the rise of seas globally, what will happen to port cities? How do we prepare?
Unlike New Orleans, Tokyo had begun to rethink its development in terms of flooding and put in place long term comprehensive flood plans before catastrophic flood disasters occurred in the modern climate change era. Tokyo is building 'Super Levees.' "Japanese cities are quite susceptible to floods. Most populations and property, and therefore most damage, concentrate on alluvial plains." Japan is the disaster capital of the world. Flooding, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Typhoon, Volcanoes, and Terrorism are all part of the disaster mitigation planning going on here. In Tokyo, neighborhood maps include safety zones where people are protected from most forms of disaster (human is the most unpredictable). What is it in Japan that makes good city planning so doable? While the disasters are surely motivation enough, what we keep discovering is that the answers run deeper to the fundamental organizational qualities of the Japanese.
The other morning we had an earthquake here in Tokyo. No body was too shook up about it. Then today at Imperial Palace, some of the most delicate displays had wire strings holding them in place. For what? Earthquakes no doubt. In Japan, even the Emperor is planning for disaster.
Want to learn more about how effective levee protections are planned and built?
>> December 18, 2009
Blogging while traveling is rather difficult.
There is so much to write about, so little down time, and the motivation for sitting in front of a computer is fully trumped by our desire to explore and experience and engage.
so....here are some brief snapshots:
It is nearly 5am right now in Tokyo. I am still curled up in a fantastic sleeping bag that my mother got for us (two matching ones zip together for super cozy nights), atop a futon in a traditional Japanese room. The floor is covered with bamboo matting and sliding paper screens cover the windows. We have been fortunate to stay with a Miss Porter's alumni that lives in Tokyo; she graduated two years before I did. She has spent the last several years creating a successful model for shared housing in Tokyo: Come on Up. Yasuko was generous enough to offer us a room in a recently opened "Come on Up" house, right off of the Sumiyoshi subway line.
Nathan is still sleeping; he is determined to stay "asleep" until at least 6am. Though we were both hyper-anxious about the time change and jet lag, the process has been incredibly smooth. We slept very little on the 17 hour flight to Tokyo (N didn't sleep at all), and I demanded that N's watch be set to Tokyo time as soon as we boarded the plane. The first night in Japan we slept almost through the night, then pushed hard the whole next day, remaining outside and walking and walking and walking. I am awake at this early hour simply because after a delicious miso soup dinner on a cold night, I curled up in my sleeping bag to read my book....you know how the story ends. You blog when you can.
Yesterday morning was spent at the Chinese embassy submitting our visa applications. Although our original plan was to secure our visas while in Washington DC last week, we realized that nearly all embassies are based on districts, and as residents of the Gulf South, we were required to go to Houston for our visas. Wham, Bam, no thank you Ma'am. We opted to try out the embassy in Japan instead. Although very chaotic, we achieved success and go to pick up our visas on Monday.
A great deal of our time in Tokyo has been spent wandering: studying the map and the compass (yes, I bought a compass for this trip) and meandering through the densely compact city. We also have been using the very convenient subway system, and are enjoying the cultural and sociological insights we gain through observation of public transportation. We are amazed by the kindness, honesty, and helpfulness of the Japanese culture. Each time we find ourselves stumbling, a kind stranger magically materializes and extends a helping hand.
I have some awesome photos to share, but can't seem to find the camera cord, even with the help of my trusty headlamp. They will be added later.
xooxoxo
b
Read more...
There is so much to write about, so little down time, and the motivation for sitting in front of a computer is fully trumped by our desire to explore and experience and engage.
so....here are some brief snapshots:
It is nearly 5am right now in Tokyo. I am still curled up in a fantastic sleeping bag that my mother got for us (two matching ones zip together for super cozy nights), atop a futon in a traditional Japanese room. The floor is covered with bamboo matting and sliding paper screens cover the windows. We have been fortunate to stay with a Miss Porter's alumni that lives in Tokyo; she graduated two years before I did. She has spent the last several years creating a successful model for shared housing in Tokyo: Come on Up. Yasuko was generous enough to offer us a room in a recently opened "Come on Up" house, right off of the Sumiyoshi subway line.
Nathan is still sleeping; he is determined to stay "asleep" until at least 6am. Though we were both hyper-anxious about the time change and jet lag, the process has been incredibly smooth. We slept very little on the 17 hour flight to Tokyo (N didn't sleep at all), and I demanded that N's watch be set to Tokyo time as soon as we boarded the plane. The first night in Japan we slept almost through the night, then pushed hard the whole next day, remaining outside and walking and walking and walking. I am awake at this early hour simply because after a delicious miso soup dinner on a cold night, I curled up in my sleeping bag to read my book....you know how the story ends. You blog when you can.
Yesterday morning was spent at the Chinese embassy submitting our visa applications. Although our original plan was to secure our visas while in Washington DC last week, we realized that nearly all embassies are based on districts, and as residents of the Gulf South, we were required to go to Houston for our visas. Wham, Bam, no thank you Ma'am. We opted to try out the embassy in Japan instead. Although very chaotic, we achieved success and go to pick up our visas on Monday.
A great deal of our time in Tokyo has been spent wandering: studying the map and the compass (yes, I bought a compass for this trip) and meandering through the densely compact city. We also have been using the very convenient subway system, and are enjoying the cultural and sociological insights we gain through observation of public transportation. We are amazed by the kindness, honesty, and helpfulness of the Japanese culture. Each time we find ourselves stumbling, a kind stranger magically materializes and extends a helping hand.
I have some awesome photos to share, but can't seem to find the camera cord, even with the help of my trusty headlamp. They will be added later.
xooxoxo
b
Konichiwa y’all!
>> December 16, 2009
Oh. My. WE ARE HERE! We have landed and the international part of our journey has begun!! Yesterday afternoon (2am EST) we landed in Tokyo, Japan at Narita Airport.
Oh, and by the way, I HEART JAL. Our seventeen hour flight was honestly the most relaxing day that I have had in months. I was warm under a downy blanket, my seat turned into a bed, I had a personal 14: television screen on which I could watch movies, play games, learn languages (keko is “cat” in Japanese), and listen to music. I drank gallons of water (while Nathan indulged in good scotch and sake), and we both really enjoyed the fantastic western/Japanese food menu from which we could (and did) order at any time. Let me note that although we purchased standard economy class tickets, we finagled an upgrade to business class with smiles and charm and telling them that we were on our honeymoon (also, they ran out of economy seats while we were at the ticket counter). The price of this one fantastic, business-class JAL flight was nearly comparable to our entire round-the-world ticket.
Both leading up to, and during the flight, N and I strategized about our jet-lag plan. I followed the lead of the airline: after take off, they served a big meal, then closed all of the windows, passed out ear plugs and eye masks, and everyone passed out….including me. I woke up 2 hours later, groggy and discombobulated, and proceeded to watch three movies consecutively (we both loved Julie & Julia). N stayed up THE WHOLE TIME. We were going for the time change….cold turkey.
After the simple customs process at the airport, we were swept into the Japanese public transportation system. Of course, there were one or two hiccups and few heated moments, but what can you expect after a 17 hour flight, a time change of 14 hours, and arrival to a country where we don't know the language? Amazingly enough, it only took us about 1.5 hours (the airport is about 30 miles outside of Tokyo) to reach our hotel: the fabulous Hotel ParkLane, in the Nishikasai neighborhood. We dumped our bags, had a quick glass of sake, and went exploring.
We wandered for over an hour, ogling the variety of drinks, vices, and objects that are sold from street vending machines, noting the popular karoke bars that we plan to return to, watching the bustle and flow of the neighborhood, and admiring the compact spacial living here in Tokyo. About the time that the ground started feeling bouncy and I was convincing myself that I was fluent in Japanese, we accepted our exhaustion and went back to the hotel for a hot shower, ambien, and blissfully cozy sleep.
Our hotel room is intensely compact; we are quickly assimilating to lavish livin’ in 150 square feet. I am already obsessed with the planning and design of these small and completely functional living spaces. So many take-aways for our compact hotel in Taganga, and for future projects!
The task list for today includes starting the China visa process, contacting a MPS alum in Tokyo, exploring, eating, and finding internet to upload this blog. Oh, and wishing my darling sister Piper a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
oxox
brittany
Read more...
Oh, and by the way, I HEART JAL. Our seventeen hour flight was honestly the most relaxing day that I have had in months. I was warm under a downy blanket, my seat turned into a bed, I had a personal 14: television screen on which I could watch movies, play games, learn languages (keko is “cat” in Japanese), and listen to music. I drank gallons of water (while Nathan indulged in good scotch and sake), and we both really enjoyed the fantastic western/Japanese food menu from which we could (and did) order at any time. Let me note that although we purchased standard economy class tickets, we finagled an upgrade to business class with smiles and charm and telling them that we were on our honeymoon (also, they ran out of economy seats while we were at the ticket counter). The price of this one fantastic, business-class JAL flight was nearly comparable to our entire round-the-world ticket.
Both leading up to, and during the flight, N and I strategized about our jet-lag plan. I followed the lead of the airline: after take off, they served a big meal, then closed all of the windows, passed out ear plugs and eye masks, and everyone passed out….including me. I woke up 2 hours later, groggy and discombobulated, and proceeded to watch three movies consecutively (we both loved Julie & Julia). N stayed up THE WHOLE TIME. We were going for the time change….cold turkey.
After the simple customs process at the airport, we were swept into the Japanese public transportation system. Of course, there were one or two hiccups and few heated moments, but what can you expect after a 17 hour flight, a time change of 14 hours, and arrival to a country where we don't know the language? Amazingly enough, it only took us about 1.5 hours (the airport is about 30 miles outside of Tokyo) to reach our hotel: the fabulous Hotel ParkLane, in the Nishikasai neighborhood. We dumped our bags, had a quick glass of sake, and went exploring.We wandered for over an hour, ogling the variety of drinks, vices, and objects that are sold from street vending machines, noting the popular karoke bars that we plan to return to, watching the bustle and flow of the neighborhood, and admiring the compact spacial living here in Tokyo. About the time that the ground started feeling bouncy and I was convincing myself that I was fluent in Japanese, we accepted our exhaustion and went back to the hotel for a hot shower, ambien, and blissfully cozy sleep.
Our hotel room is intensely compact; we are quickly assimilating to lavish livin’ in 150 square feet. I am already obsessed with the planning and design of these small and completely functional living spaces. So many take-aways for our compact hotel in Taganga, and for future projects!
The task list for today includes starting the China visa process, contacting a MPS alum in Tokyo, exploring, eating, and finding internet to upload this blog. Oh, and wishing my darling sister Piper a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
oxox
brittany
In just over a month....
>> November 12, 2009
Sitting here in the verdant yard in New Orleans, it seems hard to believe that our Honey Service Year will begin in just over a month! It's amazing that with every item we cross off of our punch list, 3 more are simultaneously added.
Now that the itinerary is finalized, we can start to truly plan our activities, accommodations, and events! As a lover of all things holiday (minus the commercialism), I am certainly looking forward to international holidays and events. Growing up, my family took several trips (almost always to tropical destinations) for Christmas: the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Puerto Rico. Don't judge...my grandfather was a sailor and loved getting the family together. We were always happy to oblige in his whims....
Last year, our christmas was spent with great friends at the Hotel Oso Perezoso, in Taganga. Perhaps it would be the perfect location for YOU and YOUR family this year?! Nathan's sister and her family are currently managing the hotel and would be happy to set you up with a private room and bath, with a ocean view for a mere $12 a night, breakfast included. Do I need to twist your arm further?! :) Oso (bear) + Perezoso (lazy) + Hotel (with hammocks and parrots and cold beers) = your perfect vacation!
Ok, back to focusing on OUR plans for a less-than-tropical Christmas.
After a week in Tokyo, we will fly to Shanghai and then make our way overland to Hong Kong. Christmas in Shanghai!! Although the chilly december weather will undoubtedly throw us for a loop, the "water villages" around Shanghai are especially intriguing...and to folks from New Orleans, will probably feel vaguely familiar! I am really looking forward to a day trip to Tongli or Zhujiajiao, which sounds vastly more appealing than the (perhaps more elegant and restored) Zhouzhuang. 
Plus, Tongli just happens to also boast a Sex Culture Museum. Facinating.
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