Monday, February 14

Happy Valentine's Day!

Steve and I are taking the day off, to relax and catch up with ourselves. I have finally finished all of my work, and resting up before our travels to the Izu Peninsula. Steve has had many social interactions, as well as a few solo excursions to museums. This is the view out our front door balcony, early in the morning. It's very unusual to have a parking lot and wide open space. Mostly it's buildings all crammed together, so we feel very lucky. Next photo is looking down the stairway at the balcony. It goes up a few stories that way too.

During my last days working with an interpreter, we came upon a little Mexican Restaurant, which served many brands of Tequila, including Steve's favorite. So as a surprise, I took him there for his birthday last night. The staff of Japanese men were wonderful and somewhat amused by Steve's ability to speak some Spanish. Several of them spoke a little English, so it was a wild mix of languages. We had a delicious meal, more the style of Oaxaca and Central Mexico, and much yummier than the boring beans and rice of West Texas! They even honored Steve by presenting cake and flan, complete with candle and "Feliz Compleanos Sr. Holzer!" written in chocolate on the plate! We had a great time and are still smiling.


This plant, I saw while walking in a neighborhood with many little side streets. It caught my eye, and I was able to ask the lady who lived there about it. She opened the gate so that I could look closer and take a picture. She called it "a foksa-prantu" because it looks like a fox. Weird and beautiful.

Tonight we are going out to dinner with the staff of Synchronicity Japan, as a last meeting and to celebrate the end of this work trip. It should be fun, as we all get to be more relaxed!

Tomorrow, we'll do a little sight-seeing, and then another dinner out with a young man who I met as a client. He is eager to show Steve and I the night life, so this should be very interesting!

We've enjoyed watching the Japanese television, with lots of 'talent shows' and American movies with Japanese voice overs. Noticeably shorter commercials than the US. It's also been quite revealing to watch the events in Eygpt from a non-US station. Seems like much more thorough coverage.

I'll try to make one more post before heading to the Izu Peninsula and the hot springs Onsen. I'm really looking forward to a good soak and rest!

Love to all,
Daeryl (& Steve)