Runboard.com
Слава Україні!

CJKDramas.com

Discussing CJK 中日韓 Dramas Available in California


CJKDramas.com   |   Runboard       註冊 / 登録 / Register (learn about it) | Sign in (lost password?)

Page:  1  2  3  4 ... 44  45  46 

 
addie04 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 11-2005
Location: San Fernando Valley
Posts: 3972
Quote
Re: Addie's Asian Journey


Thank you so much bubu !!! I really appreciate your good wishes AND the good luck charms .
HMM ,note to self , I might want to pick up some of those over there !

Thanks also vannessave !!

I really can't believe it is time to go . There were alot of things I wanted to do to get ready--oh well !!

I am finishing the last minute touches on packing .

I really wish you all could go with me - what would be so strange about that ? We could all meet at LAX for the flight ! It would be a massive organizational task for someone -BTW ,has anyone heard from Tankersparks lately ????

I will get picked up @ 8:30 in the morning .My flight leaves @ 11:45 am .

I can't even believe I am typing that .

---
S & J FOREVER
addie04:member of the BB family since 2005
9/22/2006, 5:54 pm Link to this post Send Email to addie04   Send PM to addie04
 
bbstl Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 12-2005
Location: St Louis
Posts: 2151
Quote
Re: Addie's Asian Journey


whooo-hoooo! Addie, the time has finally come! Can you believe it? Wow, this is the home stretch for procrastinators now, I know it well! You're gonna be fine, there's always 1-hour hotel laundry/dry cleaning turnaround in a pinch- just repeat, it's only money, lol.
Take tons and tons of pictures, don't scrimp on those! We'll be waiting here for your bulletins whenever you have time to write, otherwise we'll just wait til you're home. Enjoy your coffee by the Han and think of us! We'll be thinking of you. And scope out all the Spoonies for our next trip together. emoticon

For all those of us who aren't leaving for Japan and Korea in the morning, the October issue of Conde Nast Traveler is all about Asia and has a good feature article (not mentioned on the cover), "The New Seoul of Asia" and calls Seoul Asia's next hot spot.
9/22/2006, 7:25 pm Link to this post Send Email to bbstl   Send PM to bbstl
 
bubu13 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 07-2006
Posts: 1362
Quote
Re: Addie's Asian Journey


You're welcome addie!... Just wish I could have got you the real deal... anyway, Have fun! See you when you get back! emoticon

Anyone interested in picking up an Omamori or Kaeru Frog for yourself or as a gift, can find them locally in Little Tokyo. Try one of the gift shops, like Bunka-Do or Rafu Bussan.

Being Japanese, I've grown up seeing these good luck charms my whole life, you'll see omamori hanging off the rear view mirror in many cars, I'm sure you've seen one somewhere and probably thought it was just some fancy air freshener or something like that. hahahaha! I remember many years ago, when I got my drivers license, my grandmother gave me my first omamori, and made me put it in the car before I was allowed to hit the streets.

You may have also seen little ceramic frogs in the front yards of some Japanese homes, no it's not the Nihon version of the 'pink flamingo'... it's Kaeru Frog. He's there to bring good fortune, health, luck, etc.
My mom always takes a little frog with her to Las Vegas. Every time she goes to the Fremont Casino, they give her these cute stuffed frogs and t-shirts with usually a picture of a frog playing slots or something like that. LOL!

---

9/22/2006, 8:31 pm Link to this post Send Email to bubu13   Send PM to bubu13
 
Tangpriest Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 11-2003
Posts: 630
Quote
Addie's Asian Journey


OMG! I'm so hungry! Thinking about you being in Korea makes me hungry for korean food! You'll have to try jjajangmein. The brown noodle dish every one eats in the dramas and it gets all over their faces. It's an everyday dish you can find almost everywhere. Also, if you're a Starbucks person, you won't miss out in Japan or Korea. They're everywhere. Just don't try ordering a decaf soy latte.....you'll just get a blank stare. And while in Seoul, go to Insa-dong! Love that place. And while in Insa-dong, ask about the restaurant that serves monk food. It's wonderful and excellent! Guess I'll have to settle for some shin ramen.....Happy travels! Can't wait to hear about your trip and see the pics!

---
대 한 민 국!
9/22/2006, 11:10 pm Link to this post Send PM to Tangpriest
 
addie04 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 11-2005
Location: San Fernando Valley
Posts: 3972
Quote
Re: Addie's Asian Journey


Hi everybody ,I am in Tokyo .

It has been a long eventful day ,and i am going to go over some of it because it might help someone else .

Believe it or not ,I have never flown out of Bradly Terminal .I guess all the international flights I have taken were out of New York - or another terminal .Check in went very smoothly . TSA takes your bag ,and inspects it then they accompany you to the desk to check it .Once they have it ,you don't touch it again

The checking of the carryons went well too . Was it that there weren't that many people ? Anyway ,I took off shoes ,jewelry ,laptop (battery was already packed ) I 'm not sure I would have had to pack it ,but I didn't want a problem

The plane is a Boeing 777, and it is comfortable .I had an empty seat by me ,so I had extra room .

Evrything is announced in Korean ,English and Japanese .Korean Air offers wireless internet on their flights ,but there are no plugs ...if you can't have a battery - OH WELL.

For lunch the choice was a "Korean meal" or "Beef" .I chose the Korean meal ,and it was delicious ( and this is airline food we're talking ) We had seaweed soup ,and it's not even my bday -LOL ,and bibimbap .

The flight attendant asked me if I knew how to eat that - I almost said ,"sure ! I've seen KimSamSoon!!
Anyway ,she told me to mix the rice in ,and I took care of the red pepper paste myself .....

They showed 2 movies "Xmen " and a Japanese film . Xmen was on 3 different channels in the 3 different languages ...I don't care what language it is in ...I didn't want to watch it ,so I dozed off. I missed the Japanese film unfortunately .It looked funny based on the part I saw...

The biggest problem we have now with travel is the water restriction . I drank a 20 oz bottle of Aquafina before I got on the plane ,and it wasn't enough .The attendants come around with cups of water frequently ,but it is those little cups .

I recommend you get to the gate early ,buy a BOTTLE OF WATER and drink it before you board .drink a liter if you have too. We were laughing about this at work ,but it isn't really funny .You can get really dehydrated .

I read the guidebook and the tour itinerary on the flight .I realize we are just are just scratching the surface here .....I may have to come back emoticon

It got a little turbulent at the end of the flight ,but it was a smooth landing .At Narita ,you get off , go through immigration ,pick up your bag ,then go through customs .Luckily I didn't get searched though I really have nothing to hide .

We took an airport bus to Toyo ,it took about 90 min.There was heavy traffic, but it moved . It is about 31 miles from Narita Inter . I think we got to this hote; about 6 pm ,and it is very dark already .They must be
different lattitude than LA .

I am so tired my head is about to hit the keyboard .Tomorrow the sightseeing starts in earnest .

Be back later emoticon

OH - I almost forgot - Korean Airlines has a musical channel of Kdrama OST 's !!! emoticon

Last edited by addie04, 9/24/2006, 3:38 am


---
S & J FOREVER
addie04:member of the BB family since 2005
9/24/2006, 3:35 am Link to this post Send Email to addie04   Send PM to addie04
 
daftonbb Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 06-2006
Location: usa
Posts: 38
Quote
Addie's Asian Journey


Hi Addie,
I am facinated with your trip already and will follow it faithfully.
I hope and know you will have a great time.
However I have to say Scotland would have been wonderful too.
Don't know if I told you I was Scottish, born and raised there.
take care...I
9/24/2006, 9:11 am Link to this post Send Email to daftonbb   Send PM to daftonbb
 
nchristi Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Moderator


Registered: 03-2004
Location: Hotel California
Posts: 13017
Quote
Re: Addie's Asian Journey


It is so cool getting "sort of real time" reports from you! All the wonderful details that would be forgotten or left out at later writings. It's almost like we're right along with you!
9/24/2006, 3:45 pm Link to this post Send Email to nchristi   Send PM to nchristi AIM
 
addie04 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 11-2005
Location: San Fernando Valley
Posts: 3972
Quote
Re: Addie's Asian Journey


Good morning !! It is 8;00 am here and I just got back from breakfast . I woke up raring to go at 0300-LOL-

I think I went to bed at 8 pm . I always tell myself just to pay attention to the time zone I am supposed to be in .....

The ride in from Narita took 1 1/2 hours ,and it was pretty industrial looking .As I looked at the bldgs ,I remembered how densely populated Tokyo is . The words "urban jungle " came to my mind .That is not necessarily a bad thing ...just different . You have so many people to put into the space....well .

I am on the 23rd floor of the Kihei Palace Hotel . It's wierd ,but all I could think about this Am was WATER and fruit ......simple pleasures .....

For breakfast I decided to go with the flow ,so I had rice,miso soup and a banana - and WATER ...I hope this doesn't become the theme of my trip !!!!

I had green tea in the room too .

We start sightseeing ,and I will come back on for a report .In Tokyo ,I know I will have internet and I will be staying here 3 nights . I have a 1/2 day free this afternoon ,and I am hoping to get to Kamakura .
That is where the giant statue of Buddha is and I can't believe it is NOT part of the trip ...I remember seeing pictures of it as a little girl .

Looking at the bright side ,it will give me an excuse to come back if I don't see it this time . It's looking like a return trip may be a forgone conclusion anyway !

Maybe more of you will want to join me


PS .daftonbb - Scotland is very cool .I have been there before ,and my friend and I will try again next year .

 emoticon

Last edited by addie04, 9/24/2006, 4:24 pm


---
S & J FOREVER
addie04:member of the BB family since 2005
9/24/2006, 4:20 pm Link to this post Send Email to addie04   Send PM to addie04
 
SuperRookie Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Moderator


Registered: 02-2006
Posts: 5761
Quote
Addie's Asian Journey


I second what nchristi said, this is very cool reading almost like we are living through you in real time. emoticon

How is the weather in Japan?

---
Favorite K-Dramas list
New list additions: Soldier (God of War) | SU FB Band | Golden Time | Arang/Magistrate
9/24/2006, 5:01 pm Link to this post Send Email to SuperRookie   Send PM to SuperRookie Blog
 
addie04 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Member

Registered: 11-2005
Location: San Fernando Valley
Posts: 3972
Quote
Re: Addie's Asian Journey


THe weather today was sunny and warm with a delightful breeze . It is a little humid ,but after the heat of LA it is refreshing .Now that I am oriented ,I see that I also overlook Tokyo City Hall AKA Tax Tower by the
locals. I am in the ShinDuku district ,and the train station here is the busiest in the world ...so many people pass through it every day .

I must have thought I was in Hawaii last night . The name of the hotel is KEIO Plaza .

We went on a city tour of Tokyo ,and saw many of the mail bldgs...the Parliament ,the Diet ,the Imperial Guest house ...We drove around the parameter of the palce grounds ,but of course ,we could not enter .We did see a bit of the Palace ,but just the part that is left fron the Shogun days ...complete with moat .

Tokyo tower resembles the Eiffel Tower ,but it is a TV tower . I have a totally different impression of the city in the daylight than I did last night . It is dynamic and exciting ,and I simply don't have enough time here . We saw where the Kabuki plays are given ,they have two performances 11:30- 3:05 ,then 4:30 - 8:05 .
I wouldn't mind going ...but a major time committment .

I think we covered every district really . Ginsa ,the main shopping street ( a la Rodeo Dr) is very exciting ..

The highlight of my morning was the stop at the Meiji Shrine . It is a beautiful oasis of green and quiet in the midst of the bustling city .It is a shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji ...apparently the character was in the film " Last Samurai " I didn't see the film ,so I can't tell you personally .( I can tell you that when I was in New Zealand ,I found out that it was filmed there ....but I digress )

I had heard of Shintoism ,but I didn't really understand about it . I found out a lot today .Please bear with me if you already know this . Shinto -ism is the native Japanese religion ,a form of nature worship .It started with the belief in spirits of nature ie ,the wind ,and other elements ...and expanded over time to include spirits of the departed ..that is why there is a shrine for Emperor Meiji . Our guide ,Kyoko said that 80% of Japanese are Shinto ( she also said that 80% are Buddhist ..and I think it is the same 80%) emoticon

To walk through a Shinto gate is to be purified ,but when you get closer to the shrine there is a place for furthur purification called the Temizusha . There are dippers and a font of water where one pours water on the left hand ,then the right . With the left hand ,take water to rinse your mouth ,then rinse the left hand again . The water remaining in the dipper should now be trickled over the right hand .
You can now approach the shrine .

It is hard for me to describe the shrine it self .This one appears to be completely made of wood . As we got near ,there was a another place on the right where wooden tablets were hung .People would right their wishes on the tablet and there are many hanging there . I read a few of the ones in English ...one that struck me was written by a So Korean man - he even put his name - and it said "I hope I find a beautiful girl "
At the center of the shrine ,there is a staircase with a doors at the top .It is said the spirits live there .

To offer a prayer at a shrine , you throw a coin in the box ,bow twice ,clap your hands twice - pray ,then bow once more .Kyoko explained that the hand clapping is to alert the spirits that you are out there .

It is a wonderful place to visit .

From there we went to the Asakusa Kannon Temple . This is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo . It is surrounded by a shopping arcade ...this didn't seem too weird to me ...I 've been to Lourdes and MtSt Michel ,and they are surrounded by the same kind of stuff .The kind of shops reminds me of farmer's market in Hollywood in a way ...lots of souvenirs . Of note were the pictures of Hallyu stars : I saw pix of
KwanSungWoo , BaeYoonJ, Choi Ji Woo ,Rain and RYU (?) ( He was in Wedding,and BB likes to call him "Mopey")
The temple was bustling with tourists , schoolgirls and what I assume were"just plain folks " The main statue was hidden behind a screen ,and the "swastika " is displayed prominently .It is a symbol for prosperity .
You can get your fortune at the temple by putting 100yen ,then shaking a tube .A little stick comes out and you take a paper from a drawer which coresponds to the stick .If the fortune is good ,you take it with you. If it is bad ,you twist it and tie it to a place at the temple .

I left mine at the temple .

We finished out tour at 1:30 ,and I had to bag the Kamakura outing .I would have gotten back VERY late - it is supposed to be a whole day trip ...this way I have given myself a reason to return
  emoticon emoticon I am going to Nikko tomorrow ,and it will be a 12 hour day . I was thinking - this is my only time in Tokyo ...what to do ???? It is Monday ,and the museums are closed . My friends ,the answer is clear...SHOP !!

I wandered around Shinduku district ,went in department stores...in the basement of Keio's there is a food section ...kind of like Harrad's ,and under that is a train station .An awful lot of people are wearing Ipods ,and I don't really blame them . One thing ,though ,you don't want to be caught going against the flow of traffic at /near the train and /or subway stations !!

I came back to the hotel around 4 pm to freshen up . I was just going to lie down for a minute and look at the itinerary and ZZZZZZZZZ...I broke the cardinal rule of travel time zone adjustment !! The next thing I knew it was 6 :00!!! And dark again .

I went out again ,and I didn't think I was hungry ,but as I hadn't eaten since breakfast ...I found a noodle restaurant .It was crowded with (Mostly) locals ...there were some other Americans next to me . I think they were visiting their son who lives ( and studies ) here . I had a delicious Udon soup with Chicken ,mushrooms ,pumpkin ,tofu . I was surprised when I finished the whole bowl ...I guess I was hungry !!
I feel very comfortable with chopsticks ,so that isn't a problem ..but splashing myself with little drops of soup is !! LOL .Reminds me of when we tried to eat Taco Bell in the movies .

Guess I 'll sign off for today emoticon

---
S & J FOREVER
addie04:member of the BB family since 2005
9/25/2006, 5:37 am Link to this post Send Email to addie04   Send PM to addie04
 


Reply with smilies

Page:  1  2  3  4 ... 44  45  46 





You are not logged in (login)