Tokyo with the Parents!!!

When we got back to Tokyo, we buckled down and got ready for the parents to make their arrival. We took them all over the place. And what’s better is that they were really good sports considereing the jetlag and general fatigue that comes a long with travel.

Night 1
We took that two-something hour journey from the airport and just chilled in the house for the evening.


Day 1
They got a kick out of the Japanese train system…especially the heated seats…well the heat that comes from beneath the seats. We went to Yokohama to eat at Garlic Joes which isn’t Japanese but VERY tasty nonetheless. At Queens Square the plan was to go to the top of the tower so that they could get a panoramic view of Yokohoama but that didn’t happen because the line was from here to Egypt!!! While they walked around and took in all the Christmas decorations, I was sure to get my Cold Stone fix…line and all!
Christmas Eve
The day was spent on base at the BX and Commissary getting stuff for Christmas dinner, etc. This was um interesting to say the least. Let’s just say two mamas, one kitchen, enough said…we ended up shopping far longer than anticipated…all kids and fathers concerned just sat on the side and let them do their thing…I think we were more concerned with eating.
CHRISTMAS
Everything was fabulous!!! Food, gifts, everything. The parents really enjoyed being mostly on the receiving end of the gift giving…SPOILED…I do recall a comment from a certain mother of mine… “It’s so nice when your kids have jobs!” LOL
Day 4
We headed to the ship for Justin’s promotion ceremony…it’s kinda cute that his mother and I pinned him for his commissioning and for his first promotion. It was a bit weird how everyone was carrying on about “officer’s wife” this and “officer’s wife” that…I suppose it comes with the territory…still weird though. Justin gave us a thourough tour of the ship….ladders and boots don’t mix but the ladies did a good job getting around the ship…
Day 5
We hopped on the train and headed to the Great Buddha statue in Kamakura. And lucky for us, we ran into an old interracial couple (white and Japanese) who raved about the female Buddha that wasn’t far from where we were about to board the bus to head back to the station. So we trekked up the hill to see it. Pretty neat. Couldn’t take any pictures of the Buddha inside, but I did take a couple pictures of the much smaller statues outside.
After that, we headed to the Edo Museum. There was this psycho lady outside the museum screaming at the top of her lungs at a man who appeared to be her significant other. This was definitely one of those moments that I wish I was fluent in Japanese. He was just standing there staring at the ground while she let him have it. I swear it looked like something out of a movie. I asked young couple near us about what was going on. He very bashfully responded, “She’s a little crazy. As a Japanese person, I am very ashamed.” That was indeed a reminder of how Japanese people tend to take responsibility for others’ actions. He had no reason to be embarrassed, but I guess he thought she was making his people look bad. Inside the museum, the man went to buy their tickets while the woman walked to the bathroom like nothing had ever happend....STRANGE! We split up because it would be hard to enjoy the different parts of the museum if we traveled in a pack. I really like this museum…hope the folks liked it too. By the time everyone met up again, the place was closing and I was knocked out on a bench near the end of the exhibits.
Since it was dark, we headed to Akihabura…better known as Electric Town. The parents got a kick out of all the weird stuff that you can find in Akihabura as well as the electronics. We ate at Yoshinoya…which ended up being a less than novel idea. Had to get new waters because the cups were water stained and though we needed 4, there were only 2 forks in the restaurant. We did meet some ALTs there who know some people I know. On the way to the station we got to witness a couple street performances...Here's one buy some guys, one of whom is wearing a girl's school uniform...WEIRD…but normal to me now…clear indication that it’s time for me to go back to the US…hehehe…
Day 6
Was spent at home enjoying leftovers/on the base…that evening we took them to do a little karaoke…We thought they would be too tired and disinterested, but everyone had a great time…I’m thinking about having karaoke at the wedding reception when we open up the dancefloor…any thoughts???
Day 7
At home

Day 8
Justin and I got dressed in our new suits and took them to Roppongi…the high rent district. Ok so, somewhat matching suits and shoes seemed like a good idea at first. The second we stepped out of the house, we both felt really RIDICULOUS!!! The parents thought it was so cute, which made it worse. They enjoyed the Tokyo City View. Since it was Sunday afternoon, we went to Harajuku to show them all the people who get all dressed up in costumes to walk around the area. From there we went to Shinjuku so that they could see all the high end shops and Omotesando hills…6 floors of I-can’t-afford-that…yet!!! My mother really liked the Swarovski Crystal Christmas display in the middle of the mall. I later heard that is was shown on TV in the States so I guess it was kinda a big deal. That's her in the white in front of the tree looking display.

After Shinjuku, we headed to Shibuya so that they could experience the world’s busiest intersection. I guess is it kinda amazing that so many people cross at the same time from all different directions. Just another one of those things you take for granted living here. Everyone was knocked out on the train going home.
Day 9
We stayed in the house and prepared for New Year’s dinner, cleaning, etc. At midnight, we toasted, smootched, and finished watching movies. I watched more movies during their visit than I have seen in the past two years here. Everyone packed up and prepared for the long journey home.
Day 10
I rode the train with them to their transfer point to the airport. They managed to miss the train from there to the airport so when the next train came an hour later, they cut it pretty close at the airport. Thank goodness we added an extra hour to the estimated time to get to the airport, checked-in, and boarded…otherwise they would not have made that flight…lol

Overall, we had a great time. Everything went smoothly and it was nice to have everyone together for the holidays. It will be interesting to see who splitting the holidays will work out once we’re married and all that jazz…!