I have no pictures yet to post today.  But I have good memories to share.  Today Noriko, Aki, Kazu and I took a Duck bus tour through Tokyo…it was a bus that turned into a boat and we traveled on land and water.  They gave us duck whistles to blow and when prompted we had to blow the whistle…people on the streets were probably annoyed lol This was definitely my first experience with this kind of thing!  I had noooo idea what the tour guide was explaining but it was a good little trip around an area of Tokyo I had never been to.  After the bus/boat we went to a nearby shrine where we cleansed our hands and prayed, grabbed a fortune, and saw a pond full of turtles.  Very peaceful place.  Then we took a taxi to Sky Tree tower/mall and had a good lunch…a fried pork platter that we shared that was shaped like the tower building lol and then looked around the shops…it was really an amazing place.  This building just opened last year and is a very popular destination for people all over Japan.  The tower is the largest in Tokyo.  We came home in the afternoon and I took a big nap and when I woke up Dad had made steak dinner for us.  (I am going to miss these home cooked meals every night!!!)  After dinner we went to a Karaoke place nearby and Kazu and Aki sang their hearts out 🙂  I may post a video later on…it was pretty cute.

Now I am ready for bed.  Tomorrow afternoon I begin my long journey back to the USA.  It has been a good vacation and a good escape from my normal life.  I love Japan..it is definitely a different world than where I come from but really, the people here are the same.  They work hard, take care of their families, and enjoy life.  The Watanabe’s and Kawahara’s are the most hospitable people I have ever met.  Hopefully I can repay them for their kindness someday.

Okinawa now holds a special place in my heart. My life starts over again when I return from this trip.  Today I am thankful for new beginnings.