return

It`s great to be back in company of great friends. I hung out with Kuniko on Thursday and Friday. We went to Mangekio onsen in Chiba. Oh, how I missed onsens! When I was planning my trip, I was hesitant because I haven`t been to any new place in the last three years. But now, I`m happy to be here. This is my first real holiday in three years

Yesterday, I walked around Yachiyo-Chuo. I found this beautiful walk way that meanders around the city. It is a brilliant green space. The flowers are labelled and the wood railings gave a touch of Japanese esthetic to this Disney Land city. Chiba is situated East of Tokyo. One of its main attractions is Disney world. While I was on the train, I saw Cinderella`s castle and Aladin`s palace. Japanese love Disney, which makes sense for this ultra stress, high pressured society to be in-love with fairy tale endings.

I have been eating amazing food. Kuniko prepared a feast yesterday for Kenta, Yumi, and I. We ate, drunk, and danced salsa in Kuniko`s leaving room. Since Cuba is the last place Yumi went on a holiday, she created Havana for us by dousing our coffee with rum.

In couple of hours I`m heading to Nagano. I`ll be taking the famous Shinkansen. The three years I lived here, I didn`t get a chance to take the bullet train. My town Chino has the rapid Asuza, I wonder how it compares to the SHINKANSEN?