Home, but still posting

Hi all,
While traveling in Shuzenji, a little onsen (hot springs) town, I didn't even open my computer - yeah! And haven't had the chance until now to post more photos. We made it back home on the 21st, and after resting up, I'm finally getting to some of the best stories and photos...before I forget!













Steve and I went out to dinner on one of our last nights in Tokyo with some of the ladies I worked with at Synchronicity Japan. We celebrated Steve's birthday (the 13th) even though it was actually Valentine's Day. Poor guy, had to go out with 5 women - sure got some looks from the other men!

When we came out into the street after dinner, it was snowing! What you see here is a mass exodus of people, scurrying for the subway. There were no taxis or buses, and it was quite a scene.







The next day, we had a nice outing day with my interpreter friend, Yu, who took us to the Meiji Emperor's Shrine and gardens. It was fabulous to be in such a large natural setting, right in the middle of the city, and it was particularly pretty just after the snow.

We even had the opportunity to witness a traditional formal Japanese wedding procession, moving through the center of the temple.


The next day, we traveled by train to a little village 3 hours southeast of Tokyo. That's about how far you have to travel to leave the mass of urban skyscrapers. Beautiful scenery, though still cold, with a river running through a rather steep valley. There are natural springs popping up all over the area, including many hot springs. This picture shows the famous one in the middle of the river - the story is that a monk hit the rock with his staff, and healing water came out. Though it looked inviting for a midnight skinny dip, we stuck to the springs at our hotel.

Our hotel had a spring inside of a cave, which had been expanded by one man with a determination to create such a thing. It took him over a year, with a power rock drill, all by himself. Some people just can't relax after they retire, and we appreciate his efforts!

We really needed some relaxation, since the Tokyo was such high stimulation. It seemed that everything we set out to do in Japan took extra effort. Without being able to read or converse, just the simple task of finding a restaurant that you can order from is quite a task! We did muddle through with smiles, bows, and a few gracious Japanese terms of respect! Also, carried my trusty little Japanese translation book, which was rather primitive, but essential.

Here's Steve in our Japanese style room. We got to choose between sleeping on very thin futons on this tatami floor, or sleeping separately in the single western beds. Guess they watched too much Ozzie & Harriet in the 50's, as singles seem to be the hotel standard!








We had a beautiful Zen sand garden out our window with a view of the surrounding mountains.







For the two days that we were there, we wandered around the town and terraced gardens, visited the temple, strolled through bamboo groves, poked around in shops (Steve got to play with some old Samurai swords), ate at teeny local spots, soaked in the cave, and I took a whole lot of photos.

Here's a few...


































































I'll post one more time after this, to show the sights of our last day in Narita town.


Love to all,
Daeryl

Wednesday, February 16

Just checking in again before we head out into the unknown! Steve and I are leaving Tokyo by train this morning, arriving in a little hotsprings town. Maybe you could find it by Google search...Shuzenji, in Izu Peninsula.

We had a local style dinner with my new Japanese friends (the young man started out as a client this trip). A young couple, Koji and Aya took us to a bustling little restaurant, with many local people. It was the kind of place where you order many small dishes to share, and we ate everything! All kinds of sushi, tempura, baked and fried fish. I ate many things I have never tried before and they were amused watching me wrinkle my nose, but none the less, pop a dried fish (head and all) into my mouth. Tasted good, it was just the thought!

Again, Steve impressed them all with his drinking skill! Japanese have a lower tolerance, and so they are amazed that he can have three drinks of Shochu, a Japanese distilled liquor, and not be falling on the floor (like the young woman at the next table)!

It has been a good trip, with many successful aspects, especially concerning work. There is another plan for me to return in the summer, and teach 3 weekends this time, plus 60 sessions. I am really happy that I finally have a solid opportunity to help so many people and make good money. The adventure of coming to Japan is a bonus!

More to come...

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)

Friday, February 11

Hello all! I'm finally getting a chance to post another blog, after a very busy few days. On Monday, I moved to a different condo, in preparation for Steve's arrival. He arrived in the evening, no problem, though the previous two days the Dallas airport flights were being canceled for freezing and snow. WONDERFUL to have him here, and he is adapting to the culture very well. Our new place is much bigger and nicer, though it is once again a challenge to navigate the grocery stores and restaurants in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Also, finding this neighborhood more expensive as it is catering to the international needs and budgets of the many European Embassies.

Here's Steve trying to figure out the Japanese television!

And also, a photo Steve took from the top of the Mori Art Center roof, looking out towards the Tokyo harbor, with the Tokyo Tower. This is about as clear as it gets here. It had snowed and rained in the morning, and then cleared up for his outing in the afternoon.

We had the pleasure of being guests at the home of our friend's Yoshiko and Takeo, shown here with Steve and Yoshiko's brother. Takeo made an incredible sushi feast. I previously have never become full eating sushi, but I can now say that it is possible! In fact, I woke up the next morning feeling like a beached whale. A little like Shamu the Killer Whale, after a long day of Marine World shows...gulp...gulp...gulp!!!

Steve had a truly Japanese experience, as Takeo insisted on showing Steve how to use the warm water spray and hot air dry of the "washlet" toilet! Quite outrageous as Takeo tried to demonstrate the automatic action by placing feet and hands, but then when that didn't work, sat down with his pants on! Until the action started and he jumped up. The rest of us heard the action from the other room, including broken Japanese/English. Then the direction to Steve, "Take pant off! Take pant off!" Takeo was very pleased with himself, as we all waited for Steve to come out, fully expecting a wet pair of trousers, but he mastered it without a drop! Lots of laughs and good memories. (The only time we saw Takeo not smiling or laughing was in this photo!)

Many busy days of work behind me, and only two more days of client sessions coming up, I am beginning to relax a little more. We had a full day off today, with little to do, because we woke up to big snow flakes that never let up. Actually a good thing, to have a 'forced' rest day. Hopefully, it will clear up for our trip to the Izu Peninsula next Wednesday.

Love to all...

My new favorite people!!!!

Just finished Level 2 SoulShift seminar, and this is the group of wonderful participants (minus a few who left before the photo). Wonderful all around.

Resting up and moving to a bigger condo tomorrow, and hopefully, picking Steve up at the airport in the evening. I say hopefully, because the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport was rather challenged by freezing ice and snow on Friday and Saturday.

Only a few more days of private sessions, as well as a planning meeting with Synchronicity Japan staff, and then a week of free time, before returning home.

More again soon...
Stay warm!

Friday, February 4

This is how plants are protected from the cold here!

After listening to friends back in Marfa relaying stories of frozen pipes and 5 degree weather, I am no longer going to complain about the cold here in Tokyo. In fact, today I took a walk and was actually quite warm in the sun.

Today was a day off, and though I am prepping for tomorrow's seminar - part 2 of the SoulShift series - I still needed to get out a bit. I've been either cooking for myself or dining out with my Japanese coworkers who love to eat western style food. The little bit of Japanese food I have eaten has been kind of disappointing. I imagine there are some great sushi places, but they haven't found me yet!!! My biggest challenge is ordering the right thing in an unfamiliar place, so my big adventure for the day was to sate my craving for a good ole American style hamburger. Though I had to spend about $16 for it, the yummy bacon burger with fries was excellent, and I had a big happy tummy for the first time in a few weeks! Don't worry... the McDonald's image has nothing to do with what I ate! Just thought it a wild contrast.

Today's photos are from my adventure last Monday with Takako. The Mitsubishi family, beginning in the early 1800s as a financial corporation, built this mansion to entertain foreigners, and hired an 'imported' American architect to design it in the western style. It was remarkable in materials and craftsmanship, and amusing to be surrounded by Japanese people who were astounded to be in a western mansion! We had to take off our shoes, and there was no heat in the place. I could easily imagine how miserable it would have been to be a Japanese woman of the late 1800s, sitting sedately in a bundle of kimonos, trying not to shiver.

Then we went to the Nezu Shrine, and had fun walking around in the red gates. I would have loved to take photos of the front of the shrine, but I was greatly discouraged for it would be very disrespectful. Not sure what the little red aprons are about, but this particular shrine had an animal theme of cats. I notice a difference in the Shinto shrines from the Buddhist Temples here. The Shinto shrines are treated as continuing places of personal worship, in the old nature religion way. The Buddhist temples were mainly built during the Shogun eras, and constructed to exhibit the power and wealth of regional rulers.

I'm excited to present Level 2 of my workshop series tomorrow - focus on Love Relationships and Spirit Team. I had 28 students in Level 1, and there are 22 returning for the next step. A huge complement, and I am encouraged in this work that I have focused on for so many years. It is gratifying to finally be recognized as having something valuable to offer, and to be so well received here. In the private sessions, I am able to offer compassion and useful suggestions, especially to women who find themselves in horrible marriages and struggling to find their path. Now I know more fully the value of my crazy experiences!

And some times, when I am not looking for that perfect shot, I just get lucky. What could be better than a bird riding on a bird boat.

Stay warm everyone. More soon...

February 3, Thursday

Hello again. Sorry no new photos this time. Just a quick note before my day of client sessions begins. It's amazing to me that I can have such meaningful connections with people who do not speak the same language! I have met and worked with a large number of women who feel like long lost sister/friends, who share similar stories and have similar hopes and passions. The clients here are eager to embrace new ways to view and transform their lives. It is a stark contrast to many (though certainly not all) in the US who stubbornly hold to being 'right,' bitter, angry or entitled.

Watching the news of Eygpt from a country outside of US is illuminating. Long video feeds which do not seem so glossed over or sensationalized. In the first days, I marveled at the peace the demonstrators were able to maintain, regulating themselves when anyone became aggressive. Saw one clip where the crowd was moving rapidly towards the few soldiers standing with guns ready. It was apparent that the soldiers were outnumbered and very nervous, which could lead to shots any minute. The next moment, citizens from the crowd stepped out front and pushed back the advancing crowd, away from the soldiers, chanting "We and the army are one." Everyone calmed down and any violence was averted. Remarkable and inspiring. At this point, it is very sad to watch things turn ugly with the introduction of those who are focused on opposition and violence. I hope that there will some resolution soon, as most of the original demonstrators looked to me to be regular citizens seeking a democratic process to restore their country, not crazy radicals with a fanatic cause.

Stay warm and hold a vision of peace.

Monday, January 31st

This is one of the sculptures I saw at the Teien museum gardens. I found out that they were only closed to set up the next exhibit, Typographic Posters of the 20th Century. I may go back to see it, as it would be interesting to see graphics with Japanese characters.

Lots is happening, and I haven't had much free time to put together a full accounting of my adventures. Taught my Level 1 seminar this weekend, with 28 participants and an intense program. They were all wonderful and we crammed quite a bit of information and processes into the two days. It was a heart-bursting moment when I called each of them by name (pronounced in pretty good Japanese I do think!) and handed them their certificates of completion. The Japanese work hard to be good students and love to have something to show for their accomplishments.

Here's a couple critters that caught my eye on a recent excursion. Pet shop poodle - not even sure which end we are looking at here!!!!

And turtle lion - guardian outside a garden gate.


It is super freezing here, down to zero C, or 32 degrees F, in the daytime. With all of the tall buildings, it's hard to get into the sun, and even when you do, it's still cold, with a chill breeze whirling from the shadows. Last time I was here, it was off the charts hot and humid. Quite the contrast.

I'll post again, hopefully tomorrow, as I have taken a bunch of photos the last couple days.

Sayonara for now...

Tuesday, January 25

Just spent a couple fun days off, and time to take loads of photos which I will post over the next few work days.

These taxis caught my eye as I was walking down the street next to a huge cemetery. They lined both sides of the street, out of service. As Monty Python would say, they're "not dead, they're just resting!" Eerie juxtaposition though, as many of the drivers looked like they were!











This is me at the Tokyo Dome Amusement Park, with my Japanese friend, Mina. We weren't there for the rides, just dinner. But I plan on taking Steve for a whirl when he gets to town. We met up with a group of French, British, Japanese, and Americans for a dinner at the Tokyo Dome Hotel. Believe it or not, when choosing a special place to take me, they took me to a Sizzler Restaurant. Now I know why people say that eating out in Japan is expensive - the salad bar (no sizzling steaks) was $30. There was however a redeeming factor, which was a desert bar with a fountain of chocolate that you put your bowl of ice cream under. Yum. This was a reunion of sorts, with the folks I met and traveled with last trip. Several will be attending my seminars, so we had a lively conversation.


These two shots are from The Teien Art Museum. After much walking and traveling on the subway, I was disappointed to discover that the building part was closed for the winter, and I only had access to the gardens. However, this outdoor serenity was probably just what I needed. I pretty much had the place to myself and I imagined that it was "my" estate, rather than Prince Asaka's! The building shown here is a little tea house in the Japanese style gardens, and the white sculpture was added to the estate later. The main building was an art deco style house filled with 18th & 19th century art, kind of like a Hearst or Hollywood mansion. Apparently, there are many wealthy merchant families who have converted their estates and private collections to museum status in order to maintain Japanese treasures rather than allow them to be sold and exported as was very prevalent when Japan reopened trade with the west in the late 1800s.

I've got two days of sessions ahead of me, with Friday off, and then I teach my Level 1 seminar on the weekend. I am please that there are a good number of people signing up and I am hopeful that I will have a quality group of students. The Japanese are very open-hearted and eager to learn. I am looking forward to it.

More to post soon...

Thursday, January 20

I got lucky with this photo of a bird in the plum blossoms - feeding time at the Aoyama Cemetery! Not sure if they were after the nectar or bugs. It isn't as cold as it's been, though I'm still bundling up in my wool coat, hat and boots.

Yesterday, had my first full day of client sessions, again working with an interpreter. I am always amazed at how a person can think in two languages at once, especially the mix of Japanese and English. The sentence structure is entirely different.

It is such a contrast for me, when I am walking around in the city, the people seem entirely aloof and detached. I often feel like a ghost, or at least a deaf mute. But when I am sitting with a total stranger who has come to me for help, there is an immediate and profound connection which fills my heart with a sense of belonging here. I guess that's why I love the work that I am doing.

The evening before, at the introductory seminar, I was delightfully surprised to have a very full room of new and return clients. As a sample of my clairvoyant sessions, I picked people out of the audience and gave them mini-readings, a little insight and advice on the spot. Easier for me than following my lecture notes!

Today was a free day, so I set out on the subway, headed to the Ginza district. This is one of the busiest, high-end shopping and high-tech business areas, right near the Imperial Palace and center of Tokyo. Blocks and blocks of tall glass buildings, flashing every designer name and electronics business known to man, with marching crowds of Japanese dressed in classy black. Glad I left my red coat at home! I would have stuck out like a zit on a model's face!

The photo of the pretty Japanese boy is an ad for 'Romeo & Juliet' - probably a uniquely amusing live production. I visited a museum with a special exhibit of Japanese screens and ceramics from the 1600s. I've seen photos in books, but there is something spectacular about seeing the gold leaf screens painted with flowers and grasses, large and in person. The museum lobby on the 9th floor looks out over the Imperial Palace Gardens. You can't see buildings, mostly trees surrounded by a stone wall that is more like a hillside, and then a wide moat. Quite a construction project.

After the museum, I met my 'Marfa' friend, Takako, for lunch. She is working in the Ginza area, and told me to meet her at 'The Apple Store.' It was only 20 stories high with a giant Apple logo on it, so it was a little hard to find! Dining out is always an adventure. I'm never sure what I am eating by what it looks like. Good to be a 'convenientarian' in this land!

The next three days in a row, I will be doing more client sessions. Should be interesting.