Reflections

Our residential block reflected in the canal waters –

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Paralympics

These opened yesterday evening, unfortunately at a time when Covid cases are rising rapidly in Tokyo & throughout Japan. This time there was no information on the team responsible for the opening ceremony – when the people involved in the Olympics opening were announced, skeletons in the cupboard of two were revealed and their contributions to the ceremony were cut out.

Wishing all athletes a good and safe games …. I will be glued to it on TV as I am sure many of you will be.

It’s the little things

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Both the above photos epitomise what is good about living in Japan … and indeed here in Tokyo, the biggest metropolis in the world.

The sunflower, taller than me, is growing next to a tree between the pavement and the road near to our apartment block. Someone must have planted it and must water it on a regular basis. But importantly no one has picked it or destroyed it. How I wish this was a scenario that we could enjoy in the west.

Japan is still very much a cash society – and there is very much of it. With £100 equating to over 15,000 Yen, it is difficult to keep the count of the zeros! Here, when paying with cash, the cashier always hands over the notes first allowing you to put them away before passing over the coins.

Tirimasu

I came across an article about a shop selling take away tiramisu. Nothing else, just tiramisu,. And clearly I had to try it out.

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But tiramisu without rum (or alternative spirit) is like a party without friends ….

Cicadas

These are crazily noisy at the start of summer, and with such a variety of sounds reflecting different species. We try to spot them in the trees but they are so well camouflaged that it is impossible. I hadn’t realised until I looked it up, but cicadas spend 2 to 3 years underground as nymphs and once above ground they live for just a few weeks, mate and then die. Such a short life … make all the noise you desire cicadas!

Walking along one day, we found one on the pavement clearly reaching the end of his life. We turned him back over and hope he managed a few more chirps. Then on a high walkway through some trees we noticed a number on the windows

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I hope these photos don’t creep you out … I think they are fascinating.

Tea Pavillion

This temporary tea pavilion has been erected opposite the main Olympic stadium. Covered in grass, to reach the tea room at the top, visitors have to enter through the hole doorway at the side of the building to climb a ladder inside. It was fully booked when we came across it, but we were given a commemorative bottle of water.

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Balcony views

For those without Facebook since I have already posted these photos there

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Sunset on 5th August, and Rainbow Bridge turned purple on 24th August as one of 125 landmarks around the world highlighting the WeThe15 global campaign to improve the lives of more than 1 billion people by 2030.

A few random photos

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Tomato Corporation selling Condensed Cream?! And amusing when we think of ‘Grow Up’ as a response to someone’s childish behaviour!

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No translation needed …. beer, and indeed any alcohol, is unavailable at all bars and restaurants during this State of Emergency. But at least you can buy Coca-Cola in attractive bottles!