The past is a parade of countless days.
Sigh, vacation’s over. Arn and I are back from Japan but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet1. Our legs and backs still ache2 from all the walking, hiking, and running after trains we did, but so what? At least we were able to bring home a lot of happy memories, pictures, and Crunky3 to last us til… well, the next chance for another holiday4. I’ll write a decent travelogue soon — there’s way too much I want to share about the trip but I have to finish unpacking first. Seeya later. 
1. Wall of lanterns, 2. Astroboy, 3. Tendon setto at Minggei, 4. Wishing blocks, 5. Meiji Jingu Shrine, 6. Tokyo National Gymnasium, 7. Tokyo National Gymnasium, 8. Yoyogi Park, 9. Takoyaki, 10. NHK Studio Park, 11. NHK Studio Park, 12. Shibuya crossing, 13. JR train map at Tokyo Station, 14. Self-portrait at the Shibuya crossing, 15. Shibuya Station Mural, 16. Laputa Robot Soldier at the Studio Ghibli Museum rooftop garden, 17. Welcome to the Straw Hat Cafe!, 18. A side street in Shibuya, 19. Halloween masks at Tokyu Hands, 20. Manhole cover at the Ghibli Museum courtyard, 21. The “Nekobasu” (Cat Bus) shuttle service to the Ghibli Museum, 22. “Maid in Japan” girls in Akihabara, 23. Akihabara TX station, 24. Capsule toy vendos, 25. Entrance to the Ghibli Museum, 26. Postcard-pretty view of the lake at Mt. Bandai, 27. Hello, fishies, 28. Koi fish, 29. Autumn leaves in Fukushima, 30. Sticky rice balls, 31. View from the Tsurugajo Castle, 32. Tsurugajo Castle, 33. Aizu Samurai Residence, 34. By the lake at Mt. Bandai, 35. I’ve got Tokyu Hands, 36. Arn at the Design Festa Gallery
***
More photos in my Multiply galleries:
* Harajuku, Shibuya, Omotesando
* Nippori, NHK Museum, Tokyo Olympic Gymnasium
* Studio Ghibli Museum
* Shibuya and Akihabara
* Fukushima Prefecture
… and in Arnold’s Flickr set.
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- I bowed and almost uttered “arigato” to the customs officer at NAIA. This is what happens when you spend two weeks in Japan. (You just gotta love the Japanese, they’re such a polite society.)[ back]
- Ahh the signs of aging…[ back]
- I love Crunky chocolate but only second to Melty Kiss, particularly the Matcha (green tea) flavor. Unfortunately Melty Kiss was late coming out this year so I didn’t get to hoard boxes of them like I normally do, hehe. (It only appears on the shelves during late fall and winter.)[ back]
- Whenever that may be, sigh. Bitin![ back]
..and what was just a world is a star. 
... this wonderful feeling? 
Nov 6th 2006
neko basu! natsukashii!
glad you made it to the ghibli museum, that place is just amazing!
what about hawaii in the near future?
Nov 6th 2006
Hi Nic!!! I know, I could spend the whole day in there… sayang we’re only allowed two hours inside diba?
As for Hawaii, hmm oo nga we should include that in our to-go list! (And we can do a Nic-sighting on the side, haha!) Hope you’re enjoying your (extended) honeymoon Nic! Say hi to Anna 
Nov 11th 2006
hi!
i finally met your dad in tsukuba and he sent me the link to your blog. (^__^) im also studying art in tsukuba. sayang, di tayo nag-meet. im also from UPCFA at rare nag-aaral ng art dito eh. ka-batch mo ba si jordy ng adarna? i used to work freelance for them (along with a dozen other outfits). ok, yun lang. bye!
Nov 12th 2006
Hi there! Wow, you’re an FA student at the university? Sarap naman. I’ve seen your college during previous visits, in fact we took pictures there before. I’m glad you met my Papa. We were in Japan just a few days ago, sayang nga hindi ka namin na-meet. My hubby Arnold is from UP FA too and we both know Jordan of Adarna! Small world.
Jordan is a few batches younger than us. Thanks for being in touch! Good luck with your studies in Tsukubba Daigako.
Nov 22nd 2006
ei! i was in japan last august for a 4-day business trip. was in shibuya most of the time, since the office was there. at least i was able to see the tokyo tower and find the daintiest little trinkets from those cute little souvenir shops near asakusa (did i get that right?) temple. i just love japan!! i can’t believe we’ve been enjoying tempura the wrong way!!