Gotta love Japan

June 19th

I set off to explore the madness that is Shibuyo and found myself hours later back in Harajuku and Yoyogi Park - which is quite the place to be on a weekend. Talk about people watching!


The busiest street crossing in the world - Shibuyo. I crossed a few times in different directions for good measure . . . or because I was wondering around in circles.


The rock and roll dancers in Yoyogi park. Right next to them was the 50's dancers complete with rolled up jeans and big fluffy skirts dancing to the Beach Boys.


Harajuku girls. I finally get it now Gwen Stefani!


Street performers in Shibuyo - they gave me a poem about being thankful for the rain and clear skies and being alive. That's very different (and much better) from the street performers in the US who just want money.


Claire, Sarah and I taking a breather!


June 18th

Sarah and I took a train out of Tokyo today to climb Mt. Takao and visit the Yaku-o-in Shrine, famous for fire walking monks in August. Despite the lack of extreme sports at the temple it was still quite amazing to hear the monks chanting in prayer. I could see how one could slip into an unconsious state while listening to them. Mt. Takao was lush and green, there were amazing views of all of Tokyo and we even some enjoyed fresh made soba noodles. After a quick shower we headed out for Christina's birthday party at Cafe 8, a very traditional Chinese restaurant right across from the Chinese embassy that focuses on fertility and then to another friend's house in time to watch the Japanese, Samuri Blue, play in the World Cup.



Cafe 8 - the fertility Chinese restaurant. Pay close attention to the ramming rod. And even closer attention to the gong. Yes, that is really what you are seeing. And I didn't dare post what else is hanging on the walls and decorating this restaurant!!!


The Tokyo Tower from Chris's apartment view. It's lit blue specifically in support of the Samuri Blue World Cup Game.


Sarah and I in cave at the Yaku-o-in Temple.


The never ending prayer wall in the Temple Grounds on Mt. Takao.


More scenic walking around the temple and shrine complex.

DAY ONE

6-19-10

Well I survived my first day in Tokyo . . . barely. I started the day with a jog and let me tell you, nothing says sore thumb like an athletic looking white girl running down the street in mini work-out clothes. Thankfully for me, the Japanese are too polite to stare. After a quick shower and a leisurely breakfast I wandered Sarah's local hood, Asagaya, before I made my way to the train station where I only got on one wrong train while making my way towards the Harajuku district. I then spent the rest of my day wondering among the fashion crazed of Japan where I encountered much needed stores like the doggie clothing store, the boy band photo store, the Alice in Wonderland inspired clothing store or my favorite of them all - custom rhine stone blinging. (My Kindle may return with a whole lot more sparkle.)

As rain season was officially announced just 3 days ago, the weather made sure to cooperate - complete with rain all afternoon and evening. It didn't prevent me from walking through Yoyogi Park and visiting the Meiji Temple before returning to the apartment with Sarah. After drying off we headed out for a late dinner at an izakaya - a Japanese resturant - and to see how hard it is really is to order vegan dishes in Japan. The good news is my belly is full, I am ready for bed and tomorrow's adventures!



Harajuku. These people shop like their lives depend on it.


The torii at the Meiji Shrine. Before one can enter the shrine they have to rinse both their hands and the inside of their mouth, everyone using the same dipping cup. And this is how viruses are spread!


The wishing wall at the Meiji Temple. I was too cheap to buy a wish plaque, so if anyone I know falls terrible ill soon - sorry.


This one is for my mom - she LOVES the Japanese plastic food. It is a rather creative marketing device.

Sayonara Suckas

6-18-10

After 24 hours of traveling I made it to Tokyo!!! Albeit a little worn out, but appreciate to be off my butt from the flights and trains. Sara and I spent last night walking through her very cute little neighborhood catching up and alerting me on the dangers of convienence store foods - they hide dried sea life in everything!!!

I got a run in this morning and found myself drenched in sweat within 5 minutes. I guess I don't need to pay for my hot yoga while I am here in humid Tokyo. Today I am off to navigate the rails and districts of Tokyo solo until I meet back up with Sarah for dinner. Wish me luck!

Sara and I outside a little restaurant right around the corner from her house.


This has nothing to do with Japan but . . . Tony and I rockin' the annual Muddy Buddy. Note we did not get disqualified this year setting a new PR for our team!!!

Homeward Bound

1-5-10

It's my last night in Guatemala and I am excited to see all you fine folks soon and sad to be leaving one of my new favorite countries. Today was spent in Monterrico filled with more of the exact same as yesterday: long beach walks, reading and swimming. Whatever tan I have gotten on my trip really just came from the last 2 days. I am now back in Antigua and metally readying myself for a full day of international travel tomorrow. Take bets now on if I can make it through customs with a baby sea turtle? Only kidding . . . or am I???


We literally sat outfront the one store in town watching the world go by. We fit right in with the locals - they're sitting a few chairs down.

The black volcanic sand beach of Monterrico.

The hotel pool was much appreciated in the 90 degree heat.

Who knew a pelican could even be kept as a pet? You really do learn something knew everyday.

1-4-10

I heard the beach town of Monterrico was sleepy, but that's the understatement of the year. However, not necessarily a bad thing. We were in the town by noon, had walked thru the whole town 20 mins later and were playing with baby turtles at the nature reserve, Reserva Natural de Monterrico after that. The rest of the day was spent walking the beach, swimming and reading.

I named these two little guys Mario and Lugio. They had just hatched and I was putting them in the holding pool until their ocean debut under the safety of the moon.

Oooohhhhh. Aaaahhhhhh. (I told you Robert!)

Are we having fun yet?

Market Mayhem

1-3-10

Market madness today! Mick and I left San Pedro early this morning on a shuttle to Chichicastengo - home of the largest market in all of Central America. It was large and bustling, but nothing compared to what it used to be, or so Mick says. We found plenty of deals and did plenty of walking before catching another shuttle back to Antigua where we are staying for the night before moving on to Monterrico tomorrow. Other than strolling around Antigua for a bit we made it into the Jade Museum and enjoyed a leisurely dinner on a sky view terrace while watching Volcan Fuego shoot lava every so often. It's not every day one gets to dine while watching a volcano explode!


A jade mask replica of one that had been discovered in a tomb in Tikal, broken into over a 100 pieces.



A sea of colors - everywhere one looks.

The latest fashion at the Mayan Market.

1-2-10

Today's high lights include learning how to make peanut butter, visiting the sleepy lake town of of San Marcos, and a fun farewell dinner with Lea and Kurt. Today's low lights include seeing the body they found in the lake this morning. A young local drank too much, rented a kayak, and drown in the lake last night. Nothing like having the body and coffin sitting right outside the health food store on the dock.

The impossibly tiny town of San Marcos - most famous for Los Piramides, a meditation center.

The boat taxi to San Marcos.

Watch out Martha Stuart - look who now knows how to mill her own peanuts and make her own peanut butter!

1-1-10

I wish I had some pictures to share from my epic New Year's Eve, but I was too busy having fun to take photos. Mick, Cameron and I spent New Year's Eve bar hopping around San Pedro, but mostly hanging with our new friend's from the health food store at D'Noz Plaza. Cameron and I took a boat across the lake to check out this apprently epic rave, which turned out to not be so epic. It had the potential to be awesome as it was actually a 3 day vegi and alternative life style festival that was problably more enjoyable during the day. I decided to take the boat back to San Pedro and after a surprise stop in another lakeside town, Santiago, I found myself spending midnight with a group of locals on a boat in the middle of Lago Atitlan. From my view point I could see fireworks going off all around the lake - 360 degrees. It was truly the best place to be at midnight on New Years! WOW! I made sure to enjoy the 1st as best as I could too: reading for hours on the terrace in the sun, getting a massage, lounging with friends and finally watching a late night movie on the top of a local pub. What a relaxing way to start my new year!

Myself, Mick, Lea and Kurt inside their Health Food Store.

My new friend Olivia and I. We spent plenty of time talking together outside the bakery.

Happy New Years!

12-31-09

Baking, you ask? That´s right! You are looking at the newest gainfully employed vegan baker of San Pedro, Guatemala. Mick and I got jobs working at the local health food store and I have spent all morning making vegan cookies, zuchinni bread, apple crumble and whatever else my little heart desires. It feels good to be in the kitchen again, having a goal, and making some BIG money. All for fun, of course. Although I have a job as long as I would like, I have more traveling to do so I think I will only keep the gig for a few days.

Feliz Ano Nuevo!!!


Vegan peanut butter chocolate bars - they sold out!

12-30-09

Nothing says fun like waking up at 5:30 am to spend 3 hours hiking straight uphill at a massive and continous incline. I think we all started to wonder about our sanity after a couple of hours of hiking up inactive Volcan Pedro - final elevation 9,000 ish feet. The view of the entire lake, which made the hike all worth it, was quickly forgotten about on the hour plus descent. I think all of us ended up on our butts at some point on the way down. The rest of my day consisted of a nap, baking and finally a soak in the hot tubs before going to bed.

Another procession, this time Virgin Mary was marching for the niños. Mick and I got stuck in the street where they were lighting off fireworks. One of the fireworks, a dud, blew up on the ground yards away from us and we could feel the explosion! Crazy, terrifying and only in Guatemala!

A fun, an much needed, break from our uphill death march . . . err . . . hike.

Juan, our guide for Volcan Pedro, took some time to explain about coffee beans, the main export from San Pedro.

It was worth the view!!!

12-29-09

After having someone try to break into our room last night, which made for high excitement at 4 am in the morning, Cameron, Christine, Mick and I decided to switch to the very hip Hostel Zoola. We spent the day wandering around town and Christine and I even managed to squeeze in some yoga. Our new motorcycling friend from the Earth Lodge, James, joined us for the night, which was pleasantly dull as we had very early plans for the 30th.

I love me my yoga.

Hostel Zoola - a great place to chill and great homemade hummus!

12-28-09

A long day of traveling really. Cameron, Christine, Mick and I left the Earth Lodge to head back into Antigua and book a shuttle to San Pedro at Lake Atitlan - the deepest lake in all Central America. However, all the early shuttles were taken so we wandered around Antigua and the market before our 2 pm shuttle left. As things go in Guatemala, we then spent 45 mins on the shuttle driving around Antigua in circles and didn´t make it to San Pedro until 6 pm. From there we found some delicious Asian food (with tofu!) and found a bed at San Francisco Hotel.

I´m quite sure this turkey is meant as a pet . . . err . . . ummm . . .

San Pedro

Christine, Mick and I infront of Lake Atitlan. Can you believe that it is still considered so polluted it is not safe to swim in?

Don't Step in Hot Lava

12-27-09

I have a whole new appreciation for the game Don't Step in Hot Lava that we all used to play as kids. I literally spent the day jumping over hot lava, on pumice stone, some of which was so so hot I had to jump from foot to foot. We would be standing on lava rocks only to realize that the bottom half of the rock we were standing on was still actually magma. It was insane and breath taking all at once! I'll the pictures do the talking this time . . .


A causality on Volcan Pacaya - not too uncommon according to our guide.


This awesome view was quickly followed by the realization we were going to have a long, dark walk down a volcano.


Christine, Cameron, Mick, me and James - thankful to be alive and ready to descend the volcano.


Hey, I only claim veganism 99% of the time! Note the glowing red hot magma! (This was the cool part of the volcano were you could stand still.)



The Marshmallow Master bringing joy and angelitos (that's Spanish for marshmallow) to all.


I think I was too busy being terrified and worrying about spontaneous combustion too really enjoy this shot at the time. That's 2000 degrees F only feet away from me!


Yes, we were literally following a trail to danger! Just call me Alison "Danger" Baird!


Pre-volcano time! Can you feel the excitement?

12-26-09

A 3 hour hike through the local mountains and farms with our new friends: James from Canada (who rode down on his motorcycle) and Christine from Norway (who is traveling 7 months on her own). What a great day! And what other hair raising adventures for today you ask? How about nothing!!! - complete relaxation: reading, lounging, Scrabble, Arnis practice and movies.


I spent the morning drinking coffee and watching Volcan Fuego explode off in the distance.


A view through some cornfields on our hike. Altitude ~ 7,000 feet.


Nothing says "you are a wimp" like being passed up hiking by a 12 year old and his sister, both carrying pounds of supplies on their heads.