From Japan - Sirrahbed & Boomer

[Laura's Babies]

On Grandkitties, from an experienced Grandmeowmie... GRANDKITTIES RULE!!!!! Have a wonderful trip and stay safe! LOTS of pictures please...

[catnapper]

Originally posted by sirrahbed
Well, anyone who would post her rearend on a butt bath manual - would likely be the type to enjoy this experience. [

ROFLMAO!!!! Big time! Thank you for sending me off to bed with a smile on my face.... you're in trouble if I start to dream about squatting in any way/shape/form.

[kimlovescats]

It's so nice to see that you made is safely, and are enjoying a precious reunion with your daughter!!! Have a wonderful visit!!!

(((HUGS)))

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Wow, glad to see you made it safely and are having a great time! And I can't believe you haven't taken the camera with you yet - what's wrong with you? WE want to see Missy's home away from home too. I've never thought of Japan as "quaint" so get that camera out!

Boomie looks so comfy in your lap. I'm sure he'll be your best buddy by the end of your trip - but that will only make it harder to say goodbye.

[catlover4ever]

I'm so glad that you made is safely. I hope you have a wonderful time I look forward to seeing some pictures if you get a chance to take the digital camera out with you. --- Meg

[sirrahbed]

Hard to believe the long anticipated trip has come and gone!! I did take some pictures and put them together in an album if you have not yet seen it. Nothing too exciting - mostly family stuff - but that was our main reason for going.

The flights were L O N G. The food on the international leg each way was...well...we seldom knew what we were even eating

I was so struck by the neatness and cleanliness of the country. Have you seen the movie "Lost in Translation"? The scenes in that movie caught the feel of what Tokyo looks like - wall to wall people. The airport is maybe 60 miles away and the drive was 5 hours because traffic barely moves. And-they drive on the left side, steering wheel on the right - like in GB! I never knew that since other Asian countries my hubby has lived in were always set up like in America. The cars are spotlessly clean and snazzy! Tiny models of Toyota, etc that we do not have here. Most have GPS monitors. I would say every second or third person we saw was playing with something electronic or talking on a cell phone. The people were incredibly gracious and friendly. It was hard not to compare the Narita airport with the Newark airport. The Japanese seem to truly care about our comfort and helping us find our way around and always with a smile and a bow. We had a rude awakening at Newark and were yelled at no fewer than 3 times in the confusing customs area. Makes me wonder what a Japanese person thinks when entering our country the first time??
I had mentioned "quaint" as well. The smaller little towns like where Missy lives are like little dollhouses. Tiny streets, spotlessly clean, flower boxes filled with pansies, tiny cars, cobblestone sidewalks, LOTS of police evidence everywhere which must explain the very low crime rate. Even the tinest of apartments had flowers and elegant landscaping even if their "garden" was a 4x6 patch.
It seems the Japanese love pets as we do - I saw quite a few petstores - very nice ones, too. Also, cats and dogs were a common theme on the stationery and the stores had nice pet departments.
It was cold when we arrived and no cherry blossoms - but after the last three days of warm sun - it was a cherry blossom wonderland of pale pink trees everywhere I looked. They are said to be very fragile and when the wind picks up, you are showered with these tiny fragile petals. A popular custom is to enjoy a picnic under the trees and enjoying them because they only last for such a short time.
I wrote a bit before about my fascination with potties and am proud to say I used both the squattie and the high-tech . I find the squattie much cleaner and more sanitary! If only it was not so hard to get UP with my bad knees.
Mostly, I enjoyed time with my baby daughter, SIL Paul and grandkitty Boomer