Sunny October Day

What a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day.

Today I took a day off. Had to work this past weekend, so taking a day off today seems like the most sensible thing to do.

Staring into void, the vastness of sunlights on the neighboring building's roof has been very fullfilling. It's so nice and warm. I am also finally feeling the best I have felt in the past 3 weeks. Maybe the cold is gone??? One can hope.

So, other than the Eid day and work, nothing extraordinary happened in Taiko Tari's little life this past week.
Oh, maybe this counts, darling little Ella is now completely used to me, she literally climbed all over me and sat quite happily on my lap when we were all out for dinner at Lotus Roots last Saturday. Latter on she passed her bedtime by climbing all over the three adoring adults in her living room. When she finally called it quits at 9 PM. Be prepared for our date on Thursday evening, Lilla O Principessa!!

OK, onto my report writing now.

Basking in the glorious sun while attempting to write a report

The Grinch Who Tried to Steal Eid Day... (and failed!)

I'm back to life, I think.
This cold has been eating me alive. Was dead in bed for a few days, but that's all that I could afford since I must return to field work and look alive from Wednesday to Sunday. Still not feeling 100%, but I have to continue working to make a living, you see. Gah, am hating to be a responsible adult. You see, children literally don't care if they have to be at school or not. If they don't want to go to school, they just don't go, or they pretended that they're going to school but they went to a game arcade instead, or to a park.

Anyways... Eid Al-Fitr day has come and gone. It was a very special day. For Muslims in Japan, the Eid day was on Tuesday, Oct 24. Much to my disappointment, the morning was somber and cold, it was raining very hard and windy.
After much contemplation, taking into account that if I went to the Indonesian mosque in Meguro, I would only get sicker - I swayed the pendulum to the Turkish mosque in Yoyogi Uehara. It is only a 10 minute cab ride away.

The Eid prayers was planned to start around 8:30 AM. I went into the mosque around 8:15 AM. Even though I've been to that mosque many times before, the decoration never fails to stun me. It's very ornate with the beautiful Koran verses calligraphy, painted on the wall, carved to the chandelier. The rugs are authentic Persian, everything is very tastefully done, absolutely stunning.






There were not that many people yet in the ladies area. I sat down next to a nice Thai lady by the corner. After saluting each other "Assalammu'alaykum and Eid mubarak!" we got into chatting.
To accommodate the many working people attending the prayer, the order of the mass was reversed. The khutba (sermon) first and then the 2 raka'at Eid shalat (prayer). This way, people could go to work immediately after the shalat finished.

One thing that was very special about going to the Turkish mosque was the many nationalities who show up for the prayers. Taking this into account, the mosque clerics thought of a solution that would be helpful for everyone: multilingual sermons! First the English version started, followed by the Japanese version and finally the Turkish version. It was actually quite amusing as the Imam who gave the sermon was clearly a non-native English speaker. I could hardly understand what he was saying, but when he started speaking in Japanese, you could kind of gathered the essence of his speech. When he switched completely to Turkish, that was when the fun started. He sounded very animated about everything, his tone went up and down and all over the place. Not understanding a word of Turkish, I had no idea what he was saying, but purely treated his 3rd sermon as amusement. hehe.

Everything wrapped in just 1 hour. The ladies at the ladies chamber on the 2nd floor started silaturahiim, where everybody greeted each other "Eid mubarak!" (literal translation: "Happy Eid!") You went around the room, you held each other's palms and kissed each other's cheeks twice or three times, and then you embraced. It gave you a very warm feeling that even though we don't know anything about each other, we are enjoying the same thing - sisterhood.

I went home and collapsed in bed for another hour. Giving it time for the clock to turn 11, so I could call Indonesia where it would be 9 AM and wish everybody "Happy Eat day!!!"
The entire day turned out to be a very special day full of love and laughters and above all: EATING! Friends and families came and enjoyed the feast all day and night.

The tradition stands. I don't care that I'm as sick as a dog, but I could not, would not, should not let the Grinch steal my Eid. Even if that meant I had to roll into the kitchen.
Thanks so much, everyone, especially Odaiko Div, #Q, Nin2 and Chopping R - you have made my struggle in the kitchen significantly lighter.
For the others... thanks so much for coming and celebrating this special day with us. After all, that is what the Eid Al-Fitr is all about: celebrating the victory over your own worldly wants and needs for 30 days, filled with love and forgiveness, while feasting on some delicious food.

Until next year!

Tokyo State of Mind...

Coming back from Europe, I always touch back in Japan with some type of cultural observation.

Remember my eventful departure? After about 20 hours, I finally made it to Munich airport. As I was waiting for my thankfully-delayed-connection to Athens, I stood at a corner watching people who passed by. There were many tall blonde Germans who passed by swiftly, straight-faced, speaking with their matter-of-fact tone, clean cut, overall looking efficient.
Then I moved my eyes to a group of not-so-tall Spanish people. They were all talking very joyfully and quickly in Spanish. Many were gesturing very lively with their hands. I even felt that some of them are about to burst out singing.
And then I turned my eyes to another group of not-so-tall men, most of them were quite plum, speaking very quickly in a language I don't know, olive skinned, with deep-dark-eyes. I was puzzled, what could that language be? Ah! But of course, this is a flight connection to Athens, I concluded that they must be a group of Greek businessmen.

I couldn't help chuckling, "How fascinating..." I thought - only in Europe you can witness such rich cultural diversity.

Returning to Tokyo, I couldn't help but wondered how life feels so different in the land of the rising sun. In their harmonious way, the people are vastly diverse in their own unique little way, too.

Taking Tokyo for example. I live in Yoyogi. Well at least that's what is stated on my address, but it is also located at the borderline to Shinjuku. Buildings in Yoyogi are not tall. The suburb area are restricted to building height regulation. They are only allowed to have maximum 5 stories high-apartments. People who live in Yoyogi normally have lived here all their lives. They were born there, raised there and lived there. They normally know almost everyone in the neighborhood and when they meet someone like me who's obviously not from the area - but now live in the area, they want to know all the basics about this person and they make it their business to make that person feel accepted.

Only 30 seconds walk away, you walked into a jungle of skyscrapers district of Shinjuku. The buildings are high, at least 20 stories, the apartments are tiny and the rent is a crime to your bankbook. You walk right into Shinjuku station, the home of 15 train lines, 100,000 people passed that station every minute. People are moving from point A to point B in unison, they don't look right nor left. It's almost impossible to break the flow of people, simply because you're dealing with too many all at once.
People seem to switch to a completely different personality the second they step into the Shinjuku area, It feels almost they are trying to get in and get out of there quickly, as if something is haunting this area.

Working in Nishi-Azabu area is a completely different story in itself. It is not exactly a business area, at least 7 minutes walk away from the closest station. It is closed to Hiroo, Minami Azabu and Omotesando area where the Tokyo rich lives. There is a large eclectic selection of restaurants in the neighborhood. With their predominantly rich background, people in the area are more exposed to international culture. The composition of locals: expats resident would be roughly 70:30. Most restaurants are bilingual, or if they're not, they would at least have an English menu.
People are more receptive when you start up a conversation with a complete stranger.

I go to the eastern most part of Tokyo almost every week for my taiko drumming class. It is an area called Ryogoku. This area at large (including Nihonbashi, Ginza, Asakusa) was where the old Tokyo (Edo era) is located at. It is now a busy trading area, where it is also the home of the sumo wrestlers. In the vicinity there is also Asakusa area where a lot of the shoe makers and merchants are based at.
People from this area are mostly working class. They are very open and everyone seem to never be in any rush. In this area you kind of feel that everything has its own time and place.

I can go on and on stating my opinion on many different pockets in Tokyo, but at least there are 23 pockets, so that's a lot to write.

OK it's 4:50 PM on a Saturday, I'm molding in the rat-hole observing yet another interview for the big M. My day is finally nearing the end. I am going to go home tonight muling on this cultural observation, maybe next time would be Indonesia. Ah... Indonesia... I wish I'm there right now. The Eid day is coming soon! Well, that's another story.

p.s. Happy Breast Cancer Awareness day! Hope the event was a success today at Run For The Cure 2006 Tokyo. I had wanted to walk the mile, but work prevented me to. Maybe next year!!

Edits!

Well, I've decided to take out my last posting to avoid any misunderstandings - you never know who's reading your blog. At the moment, I think that's the wisest step.

One should never have mentioned A, B, C if one did not want to finish it to X,Y,Z, eh?

Later, guys!

From Athens with Love

The amphitheatre at the foot of the Acropolis. It is now still used for occasional outdoors concert

Majestic Parthenon

A view of the Acropolis from below.

A view of Athens from the Acropolis

Me and the ladies of Erechtheion

The ancient Agora. Agora is Athens' ancient marketplace

An admirer of the Agora

Hey, Lady! (A memorable conversation with Mr. Αλεχι)

Just got in from Europe yesterday morning and I am trying to get back to my routine, upload my pictures while sharing stories with everyone.

I did quite a lot in Athens, walked the Acropolis, visited the folk music instrument, went to the Olympic city, all done while working nonstop for the conference and networking with market research peers from around the world.

One thing to note is Greek food. It is absolutely delicious. Everything I ate was good. Even the hotel food which was said to be crappy, I think it was better than any other hotel food I ate.

In one of the evening after the conference wrapped for the day, I wanted to take some of my colleagues to a nice seafood dinner. We were recommended to go to a restaurant called "ZEVFROS" in the harbor area of Mikrolimano.
Competing with about 150 other people from the conference, all wanting to go out for the night, I thought it would be wise to get the trusted Alexi the doorman to call us a cab.
This is one of the most memorable conversation that I had in Greece.

Tari: "Alexi, could you call us two cabs, please?"
Alexi: "How many people in your party?"
Tari: "Six"
Alexi: "Oh, then you need two cabs."
Tari: "That's what I said."
Alexis: "Where do you want to go?"
Tari: "Well, this restaurant called 'ZEVFROS', Rhiannon said that it's at the Mikrolimano harbor area. Could you check if we need to make a reservation, please?"
Alexi: "Let me see."
......
After two minutes searching on his phone, Alexi seemed puzzled.

Alexi: "Well, I think it will be wise if we make a reservation, but I don't have Zevfros' phone number. Mikrolimano harbor has many restaurants, however, and they're all good. How about if I recommend another restaurant, it's called 'ZORBAS'?"
Tari: "Zorbas.... well, do they serve Greek food?"
Alexi: "Lady, it's called "ZORBAS" it doesn't get anymore Greek than that."
Tari: "Oh, OK. Wait, just one more small question... do they have seafood, fish and the likes?"
Alexi: " Lady, it is a restaurant at the harbor, seafood is ALL they have."

hahaha....
Well, Alexi, thanks for the recommendation. The food was fantastic, the cab ride was scenic, the service was excellent, and we got to sit by the water with amazing view of scenic Athens while yamas-ing on ouzo. This lady couldn't get anymore happier than this.

Efharisto! Εφηαριστο!

ps: For more information on Zorbas, please click here.

This is exactly where we were sitting although they added an extra table to accommodate 6 people. Breathtaking view in the evening.

It's all ΓΡΕΕΚ to me!!

So, after a very eventful departure, I finally made it here to Athens.
A lot to tell, too little time to spare. Here are some pics for enjoyment to start with.


My first meal in Athens, Chicken Svlaki. Tasted pretty much like chicken kebab.



Everything looks Greek to me!



Heading to Irini to meet Konstantinos. Irini is where the Olympic Stadium is located at.



The Olympic city's archway. Very beautiful!

An Eventful Journey

If it's not a natural disaster conspiracy, then I don't know what to call it.

I have never experienced such an eventful departure for an overseas trip.

Thursday morning I got up and discovered that the sky had opened above Tokyo and it was pouring like a monsoon. Debating whether or not to take my scooter to work, I caved in since I need to lug a bunch of stuff home to bring with me to Athens. Pulled my rain gear out, covered myself very tightly I embarked to the office.

The entire day on Thursday, the rain didn't seem to be showing any indication to stop. I still had at least 3 things to do before I hit home, and it all involved getting from point A to point B, namely:
1) I need to carry my laptop, conference papers, and a bunch of little 'omiyages' for the loved ones in Europe
2) Must get the 8:03 AM NEX ticket at any JR station
3) Must arrange a taxi pickup for the morning

The typhoon rain really dampened the mood of every living thing on earth. I somberly packed up my stuff and put them in a large garbage bag (don't think a wet PowerBook and soggy senbei will do anyone any good, that's all) and stuffed them in my backpack.
Let's see outside... the rain show any indication of stopping? NOPE. OK, I held my breath and started the very rainy journey to JR Yoyogi station. The ticket office has already closed. I then went to one of the machine. My lucky day, I could still get a seat. The two guys who happened to lined up behind me got the standing ticket, poor lads.

So.... the rain became bigger. By then it's already almost 9 PM. Thinking that I haven't packed, I held my breath yet again and started my scooter and drove home. Was I soaked or WHAT!! You could put me in one of those dryers for 45 minutes, and I think I will still have some water somewhere. DRENCHED.

Looking at the bright side, however, Pino the scooter finally got his well-deserved shower. hehe...

The challenge continued, since the rain is looking very unfriendly, I dreaded the thought to have to walk with my luggage to Shinjuku station. Yes it is only 10 minutes walk away, but the rain will just destroy my every possession. So, taxi pickup service it is. With Odaiko Divydong as my witness, I called literally 10 taxi companies to arrange a pickup for the following morning, only to be grunted, "No, we don't take reservation less than 12 hours prior." The only taxi company who offers this has turned me down for full capacity.
One taxi company said, however, for me to try to call again 30 minutes prior to my departure, so I may get someone.

7 AM, tried to call the cab company once again, after 30 seconds of checking availability, the dude said, "Sorry ma'am, we don't have any car available that can get to you within 30 minutes."
All right, I had no choice. Lugged down my 2 luggage I embarked towards Koshu-Kaido avenue praying there would be a cab somewhere, otherwise me and my sad luggage are screwed. Finally a cab stopped and we made our way to Shinjuku station.

From Shinjuku to Narita airport, the trip wasn't eventful. It was raining but otherwise everything was on schedule until I boarded the plane.

Having only slept 4 hours the past night and 3 hours the night before yesterday I was just glad I made it to the plane. I dozed off the minute I sat down. I woke up 1 hour after that only to realize that we have not moved even an inch from the spot. Apparently the typhoon was stubborn, we were waiting for the windy rainy sky to slow down a bit so we can fly off... nope, not happening. After nearly 2 hours, finally the plane embarked.
WHOA! Such a bumpy flight. It felt like you're riding a roller coaster, pretty scary let me tell ya'! The air was so bumpy that everybody was seated for 1.5 hours, captain's order. Even the flight attendants were sitting. OK, let's put it this way... the bumpy flight, well you can kinda enjoy that as an unusual activity, but the problem is that everybody was HUNGRY, THIRSTY, NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. And we haven't been able to move from our seat for 4 hours straight, by then. Oh joy... NOT.

FInally... we have been having pretty uneventful 5 hours. I am now flying across the ocean with Lufthansa, using their 10 Euro Connexion service. Pretty neat. My only concern is that I might miss my connection flight to Athens and will be stranded in Munich. A thought that I can't say I'm looking forward to having since I'm due for a meeting tomorrow morning, in Athens.... not Munich.

OK... I guess I could just put my nose into the papers again and wish with all I might that after all these disasters, there will be something extra good waiting for me somewhere.

All right... still 3 more hours to go. I think I'm going to miss my flight. OK, let's bug one of the flight attendant with some duty free retail therapy, it might pick up my mood.

Adios!

They are serious this time!!

By 'they' I meant the ward offices, the police, and the traffic patrol dudes.

Effective on April 1, 2006, you are no longer allowed to park your two-wheel vehicles on the sideways or pedestrian walk of major streets. They would give a warning and within 2-3 hours, they would pick the bikes up and load them into a pickup truck and store it at the impounded vehicles center. You will have to pay some fine to be able to get your bike again. The amount varies from ward to ward.

I had no knowledge of this new regulation enactment until about a month ago.
One Sunday I took my scooter to work and parked it at the usual spot, at the pedestrian area right in front of my office building. I was inside the research facility from 8 AM 'till around 6 PM. When I went to the scooter, there was a very large piece of paper in Japanese and English, announcing the police is suspecting that my lovely scooter is an abandoned vehicle.



If it is not picked up until the following day, it would be impounded. And by the way, they are going to send a ticket to fine the owner of the vehicle. And one more thing, if the driver (not necessarily the owner of the vehicle) report him/herself to the Nishi Azabu police station within 30 days, then s/he will not be getting a parking violation ticket (but the owner will still have to pay the vehicle abandoning ticket).

Another incident happened just today. I had to go to Apple Store in Shibuya to get my iPod fixed. I rode my bicycle there and parked it right in front of the store by a phone booth.
I was in the store for about 1 hour. And then I had to run some more errands to a few nearby stores, and decided to leave my bicycle in front of the Apple Store to minimize hassle. I recalled seeing that there was a piece of paper that was stuck to my bike and all of the other bikes on that street. I made a split second decision, noting that there were at least 10 other bicycles and 5 motorcycles, I reasoned that the bike can stay for another 30 minutes or so.
Coming back from running my errands, I was dumbfounded. My bicycle was GONE! With quite a few shopping bags, it just seemed to be far too complicated to try to go to a nearby koban and try to figure out what the heck happened to my handsome Mr. Spalding .
I looked down the road and there were still a few more bikes that didn't get picked up (yet, that is). So I ran to find out if maybe a phone number was stuck somewhere and I could just call up someone.

Just my luck! The oniisans who were picking up the bicycle poked me on the shoulder when I was reading the notice on somebody else's bike. He said, "You lost a bike?"
So I told him that as a matter of fact, yes, my bike went missing. He chuckled and said, "Well you're in luck. The truck is still here, go ahead and see if you can find your bike. Shibuya-ku is not kidding about towing away vehicles from busy streets, so park it well from next time, OK? We patrol 3-4 times a day at least."

So, fellow riders, be extra careful when you park your two-wheels, they are serious this time.