ladynox25

The next day, up early again, we started what was going to be, more or less, our routine for the next few days: bagels and cream cheese for breakfast. I must note here that before this trip, I hated bagels. I had tried them, but ended up with thick, chewy, doughy lumps that stuck my teeth together and tasted awful. Well, it appears that I've been trying the wrong kind. Not that I can claim to be a bagel fan even now, but at least I found ones that taste good.

hoya99 also introduced me to his favorite Japanese historical period drama series. Although, I think, he needs to be the one to explain it, since I don't quite get it yet. It was amusing, though.

Following that, we headed to Ueno and Ueno park, to see if the cherry blossoms were coming early or if the tree we'd seen the day before had been a fluke. Alas, it was a fluke, because although the buds were burgeoning, few trees were actually in blossom. We did manage to catch a parrot(!) denuding one tree of its blossoms. Parrots are no more native to Japan than they are to the US, so this was probably a tame bird that had escaped.

Ueno Park is home to museums, temples, and the Zoo. Forgoing the latter, for the moment, we made our way to the National Museum and its exhibit of Japanese culture in art from the Jomon period to the modern. Needless to say, I got many pictures before my camera batteries died on me. On our way back, we swung through the market district surrounding Ueno station. Apparently this is where a thriving black market used to exist, right after WWII. Now, it's just a regular market, but the aura of slight illegality, just enough to make things exciting, lingers. For me, of course, the sight of these little winding alleys lined with stalls bursting with food, clothes, and more food, was in itself fascinating. When I wasn't scared of getting lost, anyway, but

hoya99 knew where he was going and led me out again. This, too, was to become a familiar theme in the next few days.

Then back home, and sushi for dinner, accompanied by sumo on the TV. What could be better than that? *smile*

To be continued...