Backpacker Fashion

Let's face it, a backpacker lifestyle isn't exactly a fashionable one.

Two pair of pants, some long underwear (thanks mom..I wear them daily!!), two long-sleeve shirts, two t-shirts, two lightweight dresses, one pair of sneakers, flip flops, two cotton skirts, one pair of "fancy" flats, one hoodie sweatshirt, a pashmina scarf, and a long overcoat. Add this paltry wardrobe to 42 degree windy weather and and day after day of walking long miles through an enormous city, and you find yourself a less-than-fashionable backpacker.

For those of you who know me, you are aware that although far from a fashion queen, I like clothes. I like dresses and lofty heels and flouncy skirts and big jewelry. I like dressing up and wearing impractical things.

But I also love backpacking through far-flung lands.

And it's good for me. And it would be good for YOU! Think that you can't live without your multitude of different colored shirts? Or the skirt that has to be ironed before wearing? Or those flashy stilettos that you can't wear on grass or dirt? Or even without wearing a different outfit each day? Hit the road and carry it all on your back. Suddenly you realize that your camera, toothbrush, fast-dry undies, imodium, sunglasses, and paperback books trump the things that make you look good.

Don't get me wrong....a little part of me turns lime-green with envy when I see the tokyo divas in their patterned tights and fur stoles and gorgeous boots. And N was amazingly tolerant last night when I just couldn't resist a quick ogle at the window displays in Shibuya last night.

But I'm a backpacker and I'm on a journey to see the world. Not exactly a bum deal, is it?

Wear something a little sassy today...just for me.

xoxo

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Photos

A few photos from Japan....


You can see the rest of our travel photos by visiting our Photo Travel Site (password is "travel").

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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?

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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

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Konichiwa y’all!

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

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Full Steam Ahead!!!

like old ships a-port having their guts cleaned, all the busy work of being on dry dock, we scurried like wharf rats, seahags, quaker captains, and families who have been long away from one another - as we put our house in order - but today we are off!! Tokyo in 12 days, Shanghai for Christmas!!

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Tokyo anyone??

The only hitch so far is that to start our trip we will no longer begin four blocks from the White House circulating among histories, anthropologies, embassies, and artistries from around the planet but huddles in a diferent kind of american mecca - Gaylord National Resort and Spa on the National Harbor in Maryland across from Alexandria by ferry... weird. sounds like fun?? maybe. It is basically a hug atrium MALL in a master planned, new construction condo community connected to NOTHIING!! So, we huddle and wait. It is the opposite of what I will be teaching so should make for an interesting model "Community Engagement: Increasing your Community Voice, Power, and Knowledge of Decision-Making." This place is a residence which nobody chose, is not organic, has no 'base' other than what an owner/developer, planner/architect, and government thought up!

But, as a mecca for conventioneering and new development it should be an interesting jumping off point for finding my own family history and beginning the journey as a new family with my very understanding and accommodating wife (who I had promised the Mayflower Hotel of Farragut Sq~!).

My U.S. ancestors who came over from Europe - well some began in New Sweden, while others began in Maryland. My grandmother's family who were Baptists, came from Maryland - and my mother and her siblings still manage 'ground rents' in many older parts of town that have been leased to 'owner tenants' for 100 years. Nice long income stream of nineteenth century rents... I learned more about this years back when I was at another NeighborWorks conferences with people from Baltimore who were more familiar with the history of these 'rents' than anyone in our family ever was...

While we are in the DC area our undefeated New Orleans Saints are playing the Redskins, (plenty of Irony in that one that could be blogged about forever). I sent the shout outs for wintry bleacher tickets; but, as yet, our 'miracle' tickets have not come through....

After Mary-Land, we will do a two day family tour of New Sweden and her capital Philadelphia. The clans Freeman/Ogilby/Shroyer/Clothier/Barnwell will all have drinks and supper at Uncle David and Aunt Ellen Freeman's home in New Town Square, PA. This will be a delight my aunt is not only a very accomplished chef, (her husband David the ultimate host!), but they have lived in the mainline area all of my life and travel internationally extensively - so we will plumb them for family history, travel tidbits, and delicious local flavor.

Brittany's Uncle David and Aunt Katrina Ogilby will be joining us Saturday evening for cocktails. It will be a real pleasure to introduce and meet so many members of each others' family in one fell swoop. We are hoping many cousins on both sides will join us. When they do we will update our blog with their news and ideas!!

Tokyo anyone??? From Philly we go to NYC, then Tokyo. When I was younger I visited Tok, Alaska where they had been fighting million acre fires. When the army got there they felt they were getting close... It could not feel very much further away as we prepare to leave NOLA. Luckily, we keep serendipitously running into people with knowledge, ideas, contacts, and memories to share. Just yesterday, I heard from an old friend Kevin Jones who gave me the best 30-second to-do list for Tokyo I could have imagined...

Anywhere on our journey, we would love to meet you, meet your friends, your family, or encounter past histories and adventures. We will be there 8 short days before we fly to Shanghai for XMAS and begin a journey through China. Hoping to hear/see you soon!

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Calling all family members!!! - (Hume Family) ***Mumbai 2011 - 2013

Mumbai 2011 - 2013 is depending on how you look at it, coming to a 200th birthday of the Hume Missions in Mumbai (lots of locals and others still know it as Bombay). We will be 'in service' in Mumbai planning for more family and friends to help the Hume Missions reconnect, reinvigorate, and build another two centuries and more of helpful, meaningful, inclusive and equitable justices and collaboration between all peoples. I was priveledged immensely to vist these diverse missions in 2007 and was swept up in the vivacity, complexity, and humanity that is Bombay! We want to use our blog, our service, and our connecting of cultures to encourage you to follow us virtually and to join us for a return in 2013 to support this big anniversary.

Other areas where we plan to meet on a mission of service and exchange include, Tokyo and Kobe Japan, Changsha and earthquake affected regions of China, Indonesia, North and West Africa (yet undetermined) and France. Would you please begin to think of our travels in contacts, dreams, ideas, or work relationships; and, when you have down-time send us any thoughts you have.

We are following the paths and footsteps of others before us as we venture out to the world as a new couple in a new partnership for new beginnings abroad. Thank you for all you are doing in keeping us in your hearts as we walk off jetways into these new encounters.

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