Going to America...

[rkold]

First, Happy Belated Birthday to thundermew and chocolate_chip and anyone else who had a birthday which just passed while I was in Japan/just coming back from it.

My trip to Japan is over and I'm slowly trying to recover back in the US. It does not help that we're having a crap ton of work done on the house right around now. The days of the week are also blurring for me, possibly because of a weird sleep schedule.

More highlights on Japan:

For Basara fans like me, got to see statues of Date Masamune, Sanada Yukimura, Takeda Shingen, and Kenshin Uesugi! It's interesting, you'd think the Kenshin statue would have been in Yonezawa since it is where his shrine is, but no it was near Nagano. Nagano and environs is a treasure trove of Basara sights, who'd have realized. Nagano is also a charming little city (with 1 Starbucks) and an awesome temple which was one of the scariest places I've ever visited in Japan though I might have touched the key to enlightenment. This should also make it clear I did eventually find the tourist sights in Sendai.

I feel lucky that I have had so many chances to see so many interesting places.

I managed to get to see dilettantka , jougetsu, codename_windy, triplepunch, chocolate_chip, and hinoai while in Japan. To everyone I missed seeing, I'm sorry it didn't work out.

For those who don't know, I managed to slip and semi fall into Lake Ashi in Moto-Hakone, and banged up my arm nice and good. I was a little worried it was broken, but I'm pretty sure it is not since I've had use of it, albeit with definite pain. Because of this, I fell behind on writing postcards so many of you will be getting one from the US this time around, sorry. It also really affected what I was able to easily carry around with me, so not so many doll pictures (even Yos get heavy)

I finished my cheezy new fantasy book and need to write a review of the first two so far and got to see lots of amusing movies on the plane. Unlike United, ANA actually has edible vegetarian meals so I didn't even go hungry! Dean and Deluca switched to a new vegetarian sandwich which is not quite as good as the old one. I didn't make it to my favorite buffet place in Okubo or the amazing place in Tachikawa (next trip) but made it to my favorite place in Azu-Juban 2x to the place in Yotsuya finally and to the place I adore in Kichijoji. Yeah for vegan/vegetarian places!

I got to try Adzuki Pepsi and thanks to hinoai have a coveted bottled of Shiso Pepsi!

I karaoked but not enough to get a cough from it, and as far as I know did not get the swine flu, so I judge the trip a success! :D

Comments

[winter]

I think I have to pencil in Adzuki Pepsi for my next visit there :) Yay on getting safely back, if bruised.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I'm pretty sure it is a Fall LE so unless you are going in the next few weeks or know someone in Japan who can buy some for you now to save, you're not likely to get any. I meant to bring home some with me, but just ran out of time.

It was interesting... it does not have any Pepsi in it as far as I could tell. It's quite sweet but not as sweet as Fanta which I generally can not drink.

I love that Japan has so many limited edition snack foods, except when I decide I love one and it vanishes lol My favorite still has been the Sakura Gingerale.

I also gave in and bought a can of America (from Hetalia) orange juice and some Date, "Let's! Barley Tea!" and some Sanada sweet tea of some sort. Both Basara teas were better than the Final Fantasy potions.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

It's slowly doing better. It's just frustrating since I want it back as good as new already lol

[winter]

I'm tenatively eyeing November 2010, so maybe they'll bring it back next year if it's successful? I love adzuki beans, it's one of my favourite tastes.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Maybe? There is no rhyme or reason sometimes to what is brought back and what is not. Ko is still waxing poetic on her Purin Pocky which was some sort of July LE neither of us has ever seen again lol

I'm hoping there will be a return of the sakura gingerale in Spring. >>;

I don't know how much it tasted like actual Adzuki beans, but it was fascinating. I just like weird Japanese LEs particularly of the drink variety. I'm really curious what the Shiso soda is going to be like lol

I feel sad because I missed my favorite Starbucks LE in the US and I'm missing the Caramel Brulee LE in Japan. Though I think the Christmas LEs are out now here and I like those.

[spazzygirl19.livejournal.com]

Glad you're home safely! *hugs* that your arm feels better soon -- glad that it's not broken though.

Just last week I heard a radio report on PRI's The World -- on how the Japanese are enamoured of Kit Kat bars & all the different flavors & LEs that are produced there. I'd be curious in trying a green tea Kit Kat, but the Soy Sauce Kit Kat I'll pass on.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming it is not broken because I can use it. >>;

I need to get you out the package of goodies I picked up for you... once I figure out where I put them. >>;; But I do have a package of goodies for you!

Yeah, it's all true lol They adore KitKats and there are all sorts of LEs within the combinis and then LEs for various locations. I had some dark chocolate ones a while back that were quite good but some of the other flavors are just weird. I tried Ginger Ale and it had the weirdest bubbly taste to it.

[mec]

You've fallen down a mountain, and now you've fallen in a lake? Aww, Rachel. *hugs* I'm relieved it wasn't broken. (And I'm pretty sure you'd have noticed by now if you'd caught the swine flu!)

I might have touched the key to enlightenment.

This sort of logically follows on from having visited Jesus's grave, no?

Glad you made it back in one piece (mostly!) and hope your arm heals up fully soon!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I am flu free... but I am still tad worried about my arm since it is still giving me pain. I keep telling myself it must be fine since I am using it, but the pain is frustrating. It's not constant but it is certainly annoying. *hugs* I feel like such a klutz now lol And both times it was because of my damn crocs!

The key was actually in the tunnels under Zenkoji. It was one of the most awe inspiring experiences I've ever had and I thought I was going to collapse lol