Sunday, June 15, 2014

Our last night in Tokyo

The weather has been spectacular and tonight was especially delightful.  For dinner, we walked to a neighborhood restaurant (with the help of one of the kind employees who found us wandering about).  The ambience was spirited, with laughter and sheer joy radiating from the Japanese patrons.  We had a simple meal - squid arms and a hot plate of sausage and sprouts for Fritz and a tomato salad and ramen noodles with broth for me.  Delicious!
On our way home, we stumbled upon a shrine, and there was a party going on!  Singing, dancing, beating the drum.  The dancing was the equivalent of our "line dancing" - except they were wearing beautiful kimonos and using tai chi type moves.  Some younger people were dancing in their modern clothes, so it was a mix of old and new. The lanterns and gate that lined the steps to the party glowed a magnificent red.  Stunning!
The thought of leaving Tokyo tomorrow brings tears to my eyes.  I don't ever want to leave.