Christmas in Japan

A week away from Korea, a week with my beloved family, a week of non-stop English, a week of constant companionship - it was a great time for me. Unfortunately Harold wasn't able to make the trip, but Katherine and her partner Chris flew over and we met Patty and husband Corey in Tokyo. In Tokyo we ate lots of good Japanese food, walked around lots of places, visited historic gardens, viewed the city from the Seoul Tower - and a highlight was our visit to the Imperial Palace on Dec. 23 which, unbeknownst to us, happened to be Emperor Akihito's birthday. So we got to join some enthusiastic Japansese throngs who came out to hear the emperor give his 3-minute birthday greeting to the crowd.

We took the bullet train north to Patty and Corey's lovely home in Misawa.

Misawa is in northern Honshu and houses the Misawa Air Base where Corey is stationed. In Misawa we enjoyed traditional Christmas festivities, ate some wonderful meals at their home and around Misawa, and spent a day exploring Misawa and the Air Base. Here are a few of the family activities:

This week was really a wonderful interlude. I feel more charged up now, ready to tackle ... Level 2, and Seoul winter.