Japan

Like many of you, Japan has been on my mind the last few days. I may come from a country that has very painful history with Japan, but Japan will always have a special place in my heart. It is where I experienced and learned so many things, made friends, including Mr. Lilacmoon... It pains me to see all the unbelievable pictures and videos that made it to the internet. I think I will have to force myself to step away from the computer.

But before I do, I'd like to urge you to help in any way you can. You can donate to Red Cross through iTunes, Google, etc.

For shoppers who want more creative ways to help:
Weiden + Kennedy's Help Japan posters (via sfgirlbybay)
Yokomono's lavender sachets (via unruly things)
Rare Device's online shop
Hilda Grahnat's Help Japan Shop
Hello Sandwich's Gift Wrapping Zine PDF
I'm sure there are so many more out there.

頑張れ日本！
(The above pictures were taken in Osaka, Fukuoka and Kyoto in 2008. My trip to Japan later this month will have to wait..)

Japan Trip Albums

Citrusboy and I finally finished a couple of photo albums for our Japan trip pictures. A very luxurious, green scrapbook for the best of my Polaroid shots and a sleek, small black album for his digital shots. A very small fraction of the digital shots; that only covered Ohara and Mt. Koya. And we didn't even include my film shots! We'll need many, many more albums for the rest of the trip, no doubt.

Although it was really hard to select the pictures to include, it felt good to get the them out of the computer (or boxes in Polaroids' case) and into something physical and more presentable. I hope to finish more before the end of the year.

Can you tell that food was a very important part of our trip? ;)

Going to Japan

My, it's mid October now!? I have been sort of busy doing lots of research for my upcoming trip to Japan in November. The last time I went to Japan with citrusboy was in 2003 (when the above picture was taken), and it was just(!) Tokyo for less than a week. It was more like a "Let's use our mileage and go to Australia this weekend! Doh, Australia just denied my visa application. Well then, let's go to Japan!" type of trip. (Uh, I'll elaborate more on the visa thing some other time.. maybe -_-;;) It was spontaneous alright, with very little time to do any research. But back then, we were used to just showing up in Japan and visiting the nearest travel agency to book hotels, etc, anyway. And we had a travel guide book.

This time, we are going for whopping three weeks, all over Japan. I believe we are consulting at least 3 thick guide books, 2 Kyoto books, plus the.. internet. That's huge. Overwhelming, yes, but we need some research because we'll cover lots of cities, and restaurants (food tour!). And, apparently, November is a very desirable time to travel, not just for foreign visitors but also for Japanese residents because of the beautiful fall colors. Competition! It took us weeks to find lodging in Kyoto at an affordable price. And then there is Fukuoka, where some sumo tournament will be hosted, the same week we want to be there. Great.

Anyway, that's what's been going on. It's kinda amazing how much I've come to depend on the internet. Back when I went in 1999 for a study abroad program, all I consulted were some informational booklets from my school and fellow students. But now, well, there's Google, and there are so many people who share stories of their trips on the internet! Photos, reviews.. oh my! I'm trying not to overwhelm myself, and of course, we will have days when we have nothing planned. After all, some of the best travel memories I have weren't exactly planned. :)

Needless to say, I am super psyched. Thinking about all the good food I'll get to taste makes me drool right now. Hopefully, I will get to see my ex-roommate, and my old friend from junior high. And I'm definitely not going to miss Studio Ghibli Museum and Chihiro Art Musem this time. And best of all, I'll be shooting Polaroid films. In Japan. OMG.


(me reading The Gardens of Kyoto)