Arrival in Germany

The flight was really quite easy. However on the last couple of hours I was getting restless with excitement and my uncomfortable seat. It’s amazing because I think if they just added a different way to recline in the seat, it could be a really comfortable trip. The girl who sat next to me, Chanel, was a really nice girl doing some award travel herself. However, she had already been on quite a journey by the time she came to Dallas. She had already flown from Chicago to Nashville, and Nashville to Dallas!

After we landed in Frankfurt, we headed to get luggage. My Tennessee Tag had been torn off :( It was its first trip too! After my luggage came out, I went to find a German SIM card so I could start texting Judith.  The lines for train tickets were insane so I went to the automatic ticket machines to get my ticket. After going through the process, it wouldn’t take a credit card. *lame*.

I finally got my tickets at the travel center and got the next train to the Frankfurt station and transferred to the IC train to Marburg. It was a painless journey. Judith was right at the station when I got out of the train and she looked the exact same as when I saw her last — 10 years ago!

We then drove to her new house, had some breakfast, and I got a good nap in while she had her nails done. In the afternoon we went to the center of town to do some shopping for errands for wedding type things, and had a nice brat with potatoes–it was half a meter long curled up on the plate!

When we got home, we started doing some nametags and ribbon cutting for various things. We’re hoping that the weather is good for Saturday’s wedding! Ulf came home finally after a long day of work, and it was so great to meet him! We all sat and chatted until it was time for bed.

Off to Frankfurt

Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve written for Globetrotter. Actually, I guess it’s because I haven’t really been much of one over the last couple of years. This year will change however, as I’ve been able to create my own business and have a more flexible lifestyle! Today, I am off to visit a dear friend, Judith. She is getting married and extended an invitation for me to join in the festivities. We haven’t seen each other since 2002, so it will be a great reunion with not only her, but her friends and family as well.

I booked award travel and ended up with a lame flight from Austin to Dallas at 6:50am this morning. I tried to fudge it but it wasn’t happening. The flight was very quick and I immediately went to find some breakfast. Signed up for the wifi in the airport and got started on work.

My flight from Dallas leaves this afternoon and I’ll have a direct flight to Frankfurt. Once I arrive, I’ll head for the train and go directly to Marburg to meet Judith. It will be a very long day, but with a great reward at the end. I went to Borders last night to see if there were any sale Travel guides since they’re going out of business. I scored a book on Bavaria which is perfect for the 2nd part of my trip after the wedding!

SushiGuru Launches!

banner_sushiguruAs most of you know, I have been patiently trying to get an iPhone out since last summer. After all this time, I finally was able to work with someone to get this project done, and it only took a few weeks once I got someone to work on it. Now the ball is rolling, and from meeting my developer, creating my own LLC, registering with Apple, submitting the app to Apple for approval, it was just over a month!

I’m pleased to introduce SushiGuru! The first of hopefully many apps to come! I hope you all take a look at my company, Globetrotter Designs LLC. SushiGuru is the first application. Thanks for all the support and be sure to continue to tell your friends!

Sayonara japan

This morning I got up an just rekaxingly had breakfast and watched tv. Kano came over for a while as well. I got my things ready to go and started the long waiting game.

After breakfast we web outside with the neighbors daughter whom I hadn’t seen for 10 years. She was now a senior in college.

We took pictures down by the river and then went back in for me to get my stuff for my long journey home.

I caught an earlier train in typical trotter fashion and headed to ikebukuro to change trains to nippori, changing then to the skyliner direct to narita airport. Tokyo international airport isn’t even close to the city so it’s a journey in itself to get there.

While at the airport, I exchanged m left over money and had lunch.

I then mosied to the gate with no real interesting notes, but boarded and sat next to a nice couple tom sf.

Kawagoe dinner

After we met for dinner, we went to sakanaya and traditional upscale dining restaurant. When we entered we were given 5 choices of our mains. I chose the tuna carpaccio while the others chose red snapper, tuna jaw, and snapper.

Quickly our first course arrived. I don’t know what int the world we were eating but it was art. Afterthe first course a huge second course came out with our mains, miso soup, a whole crab, a rice dish, steamed gelatin like pea and carrot soup.

After this course came a sushi plate. There were about 6 nigiri so fresh they melted in your mouth.

After this as the dessert platter that had about twelve notes of various fruits, gelatins, sorbets and creams.

It was a meal fit for a king. After dinner we caught a bus and heads ban to the train station and I got my stuff packed an ready to go to the airport the next day.

Last full day :(

What a perfect last day to have in japan. The cherry blossoms have come and gone, the weather is pure warm spring. I woke up late after my evening in the cirtbwith martin, had a little breakfast, and got in the car with mama and papa to visit 古留布 a crazy little japanese antique shop that has old kimonos cultural decorations and such. 10 years ago, this same shop hand made me my yukata. They remembered me and showed me around the shop. Then, the woman said, oh! An old talk sized kimono was just given to us by the family of a man who used to perform kabuki, it will fit you perfectly! So itried it on, and it did. All the shop women were there along with mama and papa and they were all tugging pushing pulling to don it properly. They also gave me an Obi belt and taught me how to properly tie it. I’ll wear it in sf for the cherry blossom festival.

After that they brought in lunch and we all sat and charted about my trip, where I went an when I’d be back. After we thought about it, it seem like I’m on a 5 year plan. 1994 1999 2004 2009. No wonder I was going through withdrawal :)

After lunch mama went to class papa web I the library, and I went for a run along the river. I’m not that crazy of a runner but the air the sunshine, the river flowing and the crowds Of people gathered to enjoy the weather barbecuing lunch and having fun-I just wanted to run and fly.

The abikos have reserved dinner at 6 so I’m on my way now to look around kawagoe while mama and papa are there doing their own things.

I love it. I feel very lucky to have had the great fortune with both my “penpal” experience that gave me connection to two such amaZing families.

Martin

After my long walk from roppongi hills, Tokyo midtown and omotesando, I headed to meet up with martin. We met up and headed for ebisu where he suggested a garlic Italian place.

We went on and were seated in a foreigners only area to my great surprise. If I had closed my eyes we could have been in Kansas. Big fat loud. Our food came out and was oily and greasy so I was quite surprised martin had recommended it. After our meal we headed for dessert in shibuya. We found an ice cream shop after making the obligatory rounds through the streets. It was grew to see martin and catch up and look forward to seeing him in sf in July!

Arggghh

This morning I opted to get the free pass for all you can ride metro. I was on my to roppongi with a quick stop in shinjuku. Somewhere between exiting tv gate and entering back again, I lost my pass. So my $1 ride cost me $12 instead. Now I give up and will just keep Latin since I can risk losing yet another one. So frustrating!!!

Roppongi and martin

Today I got up and mama and I web for a walk by the yanasegawa river which is lines with cherry blossoms. We ran into an author friend of hers and spoke for a while. We continued walking an talking. It’s been so great to really have the time and talk.

After our walk we had breakfast and I headed out to Tokyo to see the new buildings up in roppongi. Since I was here last they constructed roppongi midtown, so I’ll go see what that’s like.