26th

Day after Christmas, Krista just left and hubby has the flu. I think I will eat turkey leftovers and watch bad tv. Blogs will follow soon

My Grady

I never thought it would be so hard to leave my boy Grady again. It reminds me how much I miss my girls and the life I had. I am a very physical person and miss the yard and house very much.
Only 18 months to go and looking forward to playing tour guide to visitors

In the USA

Well, I have been here a week and happy to just hear a language I understand and Food!
I came into a crazy storm called Sandy and grateful that family and friends are all ok. My home on Long Island is devastated and NY and NJ is a mess. My heart breaks.
They finally cancelled the NY marathon and wish they had sooner. I'll be honest and say I would not have run anyway. Just couldn't see myself tring to enjoy myself. I hope the race compensates in some way to the people who went after it was announced that it was a go! Bad all around for everyone and so many people who want to help.
It is strange how I feel being here. Love everyone and enjoying, but no home for me and since I still feel like a tourist in Tokyo not sure of my feelings. It is only another 18 months in Japan, so planning for more trips and Yeah- visitors! I will enjoy showing people around.
Off for a run.

Packing for trip to USA

Well , getting down to the wire and crazy time. I have a Christmas gifts for people and just fun stuff for others and it's crazy how full my luggage is already. Since I have to take a train to the airport it will be one suitcase, backpack and handbag. I plan on buying another piece of luggage in the states and some clothing and such, so filling up on the way home.
It has been hard to find shoes of any kind in my size, so some shopping and I have to get my Color Run gear. I also need a new winter coat that covers my Butt since we walk everywhere and I don't want to freeze this winter.
The food poisoning has slowed me down and I haven't run in days, but hopefully better by tomorrow. I still don't want food all that much. Not sure if eating out will be fun any time soon.
It is going to be a long day on Thursday and we'll see how well I do at the MCM 10k-no matter, I get to see my running buddies.

Race

Not much to really tell. 

Very Hot Humid and rainy race. We started in the dark and didn't see the light until I was at mile 9 and didn't get to see much of the beach. 

With it being hilly and 78 degrees at start time I took it easy and just had fun. My goal was to feel good at the end and I did. No records and happy with my pace. 

Don't think we will go back to Guam. Very depressed area and a ton of Japanese tourists-shopping as usual. Onto the next place. 

GUAM and KOKO half marathon

View from room

Guam was ok for a few days, but a little hard to deal with for a long visit. Not much to do and Japanese tourists shopping everywhere. We had a nice time, but won't be going back.

Falls near the Japanese soldier tunnel and cave

Opening to Japanese soldier tunnel
Wayne and I love history and very cool because we remember when the soldier was discovered. He hid for 27 years.

We had fun hiking the beaches and checking out the jungle for caves. Very hot and humid.

2 lovers point-you can guess the story

coconuts everywhere. 

Md crab?

Halloween at Disney Tokyo

They celebrate anything in Japan

They do Halloween at Disney

RainForest Cafe

Miyajima Island

Today we went to Miyajima Island which is a 20 minute train and 10 minute ferry ride from Hiroshima. Beautiful clear day.









View back from the ferry

There are deer all over the island that are not afraid of anybody and wander everywhere.

 Torri gate

 Walking up the hill to the cable car. The day was gorgeous!!!

 This is the smaller cable car. We had to go on two to get halfway up the mountain.

 No fear.

 OOOHHHH, look down.

Climbing and about halfway up to the top.

 Shrine and a bit of a rest

 Watch your head

 The TOP!!!

This was amazing.

Hiking down

These little statues were everywhere and all themed. 

Will post all later.

Hiking down we came across all these shrines tucked into the hillside.

Ha, don't mess with me. We would love to find these for our future home in the states.

Yum!!!

Lunch, loved this little restaurant and the speciality. Beer hit the spot after the long hike.

Americans visiting Hiroshima

Wayne

and I were excited to go visit Hiroshima and tour the museums . We both love to learn about the history and culture wherever we are traveling and living.

We were told by a few people that we may feel odd being Americans at Hiroshima , but let me say we never felt any awkwardness or animosity by the other tourists. The whole area is truly about Peace and never allowing this event to ever happen again. I wasn't sure about taking a photo, but all the Japanese were taking smiling photos, so we did also. The Peace park is beautiful and very informative.

 A-Dome-fireball inside and all were killed. Outside walls survived.

The river and bridge in front of this building were a perfect target for the bomb. There are peace cranes hanging all over many of the memorials.








Niki had told us the story of a young girl that developed leukemia after the bomb and was told to make paper cranes to help her get better. She eventually passed from the illness, but her legacy lives on all over the world. Children come with their cranes and present them at the memorial.



















It is hard to tell, but the hedges are all trimmed to look like they are being blown by the force of the bomb.

We were totally blown away by the fact that the Japanese took responsibility for their part in the war and were only trying to promote peace and not blame or hatred for anyone.

An amazing day and wonderful learning experience.