These man-like lamp posts lined a small street in the Dotonbori neighborhood.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Osaka - Lamp Post
Whimsy
These man-like lamp posts lined a small street in the Dotonbori neighborhood.
These man-like lamp posts lined a small street in the Dotonbori neighborhood.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Osaka - The Other Thing...
Is the Underground....
The miles and miles of underground reminded me of Toronto. The Osaka underground looked less mall-like but contained just as many stores. We walked to escape the heat.
The miles and miles of underground reminded me of Toronto. The Osaka underground looked less mall-like but contained just as many stores. We walked to escape the heat.
Osaka - Two Wheels
Bikers are Everywhere
On our first walk what struck me, almost literally, were the bikes. There are many more bikers in Osaka than in Tokyo. They ride in the street, on the sidewalk and cover every age group. Old ladies on their uprights, youngsters on racers, dressy women holding umbrellas in one hand and the handlebars in the other.
On our first walk what struck me, almost literally, were the bikes. There are many more bikers in Osaka than in Tokyo. They ride in the street, on the sidewalk and cover every age group. Old ladies on their uprights, youngsters on racers, dressy women holding umbrellas in one hand and the handlebars in the other.
Osaka - First Blush
Immediately Likeable
Compared to Tokyo, Osaka is greener, easier, mellower. Though still a large city of 2 million, it feels finite, walkable, greener, nice.
Compared to Tokyo, Osaka is greener, easier, mellower. Though still a large city of 2 million, it feels finite, walkable, greener, nice.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Osaka - On a Bullet
Riding the Shinkasen
It looked to me like a white rocket laying on its side. The Shinkansen took us from Tokyo to Osaka, over 540 kilometers, in just under three hrs. In no time, Tokyo's cement maze was a blur and we soon whirred along the coastline, through tunnels, past rice paddies and tight rows of tea bushes. Mt Fuji popped up on the right and disappeared just as quickly. Nearby buildings leaned into us at strange angles but it was the train banking, centrifugal force kept in check so smoothly that it created the optical illusion. It's a quiet, easy speed that impresses - I couldn't take my eyes off the passing landscape.
It looked to me like a white rocket laying on its side. The Shinkansen took us from Tokyo to Osaka, over 540 kilometers, in just under three hrs. In no time, Tokyo's cement maze was a blur and we soon whirred along the coastline, through tunnels, past rice paddies and tight rows of tea bushes. Mt Fuji popped up on the right and disappeared just as quickly. Nearby buildings leaned into us at strange angles but it was the train banking, centrifugal force kept in check so smoothly that it created the optical illusion. It's a quiet, easy speed that impresses - I couldn't take my eyes off the passing landscape.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tokyo - Greedy
If Armand Lived in Tokyo....
He might end up looking like this guy. So much food, all around, 24-7. Not exactly sure why the Japanese are so slim.
He might end up looking like this guy. So much food, all around, 24-7. Not exactly sure why the Japanese are so slim.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tokyo - Chiyoda
The Royal Square Mile
Right smack in the middle of downtown is a square mile of greenery surrounded by a moat. Chiyoda is home to the emperor's palace. I took a train to the main Tokyo train station and walked a few blocks to the Eastern moat. It's a bit surreal - like Central Park in Manhattan - greenery surrounded by skyscrapers. The moat is at least 100 yds wide and if you can manage to swim it then you have to scamper up a 30 ft stone wall.
Right smack in the middle of downtown is a square mile of greenery surrounded by a moat. Chiyoda is home to the emperor's palace. I took a train to the main Tokyo train station and walked a few blocks to the Eastern moat. It's a bit surreal - like Central Park in Manhattan - greenery surrounded by skyscrapers. The moat is at least 100 yds wide and if you can manage to swim it then you have to scamper up a 30 ft stone wall.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tokyo - Settling In
Apartment Swap
One of Jean's girlfriends lives in Tokyo and was planning a trip to Paris the same time we were to arrive in Tokyo. So, we swapped apartments. At the last minute, the girlfriend couldn't go to Paris but decided to go to Hong Kong, so we were still able to use her apartment. It's in Roppongi, the "midtown" of Tokyo. We're in the left tower, which is just above the Suntory concert hall.
One of Jean's girlfriends lives in Tokyo and was planning a trip to Paris the same time we were to arrive in Tokyo. So, we swapped apartments. At the last minute, the girlfriend couldn't go to Paris but decided to go to Hong Kong, so we were still able to use her apartment. It's in Roppongi, the "midtown" of Tokyo. We're in the left tower, which is just above the Suntory concert hall.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Singapore - My Bestest Friend...
and Constant Companion
I don't go anywhere without my umbrella. Not any ordinary umbrella, it's a double-ply, super-thick anti-sun, anti-rain special. At first I was carrying it around in case of rain but now I'm under it constantly. I don't let the sun touch my skin, not even for a split second. The sun here is different. I know it's the same golden orb that you see during your American day, but somehow it's hotter and closer and meaner over here.
I don't go anywhere without my umbrella. Not any ordinary umbrella, it's a double-ply, super-thick anti-sun, anti-rain special. At first I was carrying it around in case of rain but now I'm under it constantly. I don't let the sun touch my skin, not even for a split second. The sun here is different. I know it's the same golden orb that you see during your American day, but somehow it's hotter and closer and meaner over here.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Singapore - Family Business
Food, What Else?
Jean's brother has a friend who owns a food stall specializing in fried noodles. He offered to bring her brother into the business by opening up a second outlet. Jean invested. The grand opening was last night and we were there to inspect. The experienced chefs from the first stall were in charge and business began well. There was a small crowd around the stall ordering.
Jean's brother has a friend who owns a food stall specializing in fried noodles. He offered to bring her brother into the business by opening up a second outlet. Jean invested. The grand opening was last night and we were there to inspect. The experienced chefs from the first stall were in charge and business began well. There was a small crowd around the stall ordering.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Singapore - It's All Upside Down
Night is Day and Day is Night
When you're 6 hrs ahead of the Frenchies, everything is off. If I get up at 7am, there are 8 hrs before the workday starts. My working hours are 3pm to midnight. So, I play then work and it feels really weird. Actually, this week has been busy so I've been working from sun up to midnight. Today was finally the exception. I met Dodo in town for breakfast and then went to hit some golf balls. It's been a while and I wasn't hitting them too well but it was a joy. I found a bus that takes me from the range to within a block of the rental, which is brilliant. It's now 2pm, I'm at home watching Tiger's return and am about to join a conference call.
When you're 6 hrs ahead of the Frenchies, everything is off. If I get up at 7am, there are 8 hrs before the workday starts. My working hours are 3pm to midnight. So, I play then work and it feels really weird. Actually, this week has been busy so I've been working from sun up to midnight. Today was finally the exception. I met Dodo in town for breakfast and then went to hit some golf balls. It's been a while and I wasn't hitting them too well but it was a joy. I found a bus that takes me from the range to within a block of the rental, which is brilliant. It's now 2pm, I'm at home watching Tiger's return and am about to join a conference call.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Singapore - Navigating New Hoods
Jumping the Bus
We are living in the East Coast, north and east of downtown. There is a subway but it's not right around the corner so I looked up some nearby bus routes. We tried out an express bus this morning to head downtown and it was pretty decent - it took about 30 minutes. A few hours later I took a different bus to one of my favorite cafes near the Kallang river. This is a shot from the cafe looking north across the river.
We are living in the East Coast, north and east of downtown. There is a subway but it's not right around the corner so I looked up some nearby bus routes. We tried out an express bus this morning to head downtown and it was pretty decent - it took about 30 minutes. A few hours later I took a different bus to one of my favorite cafes near the Kallang river. This is a shot from the cafe looking north across the river.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Singapore - Last Minute Scramble
The Strike Strikes Again, Sorta
Knowing that Air France was planning a strike this past week, I switched my flight to Singapore Airlines. Dodo was on that same flight so it worked out well. At least that's what I thought. When we arrived at the airport, Singapore Airlines told me that my ticket had been canceled and refunded by my company's travel agency! No reason whatsoever, just human error. I had to scramble and buy a ticket. You won't believe the price - about 10k! So, here's what ten thousand smackers buys you....
Knowing that Air France was planning a strike this past week, I switched my flight to Singapore Airlines. Dodo was on that same flight so it worked out well. At least that's what I thought. When we arrived at the airport, Singapore Airlines told me that my ticket had been canceled and refunded by my company's travel agency! No reason whatsoever, just human error. I had to scramble and buy a ticket. You won't believe the price - about 10k! So, here's what ten thousand smackers buys you....
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