Black and White - Group 8

If you've been around my blog for anytime at all, you are no doubt familiar with my granddaughter Tay. She's made many appearances here through the years. You usually see her because she loves exploring just like I do. The first two photos in this post were taken several years ago. I posted them on "The World in Black and White," but not here (I think).  If you have the time and/or inclination, please check it out. There are 13 of us who contribute, and I think I'm getting close to 200 posts there. I know a few of you are already familiar with it, and two of you contribute there. 

 Much Younger Tay. One of my favorite photos of her.

We were at her great grandmother's birthday party, and out of the blue Tay is looking like a gypsy while she dances towards our table. Tay is also one of the little photos in my blog header.

Yasiyuki Suzuki RIP. He was my wife's uncle, a friend, and a great guy.

Tokyo, Japan

Emma Pearl
One of our long time pets.






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Black and White - group 2

Embiggen to enhance your viewing pleasure!

Tay (you've seen her all over my blog)

 Sea birds (central California coast)

Even the homeless wear nice socks in Kyoto

Tokyo Station Platform 

Poipu Beach, Kauai 

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Street Candids 4 - Japan

Most of you already know that I really like taking candid photos of folks on the street.  Several people have asked in their comments how I feel about others doing the same to me. I'm a fairly unremarkable looking guy and people normally wouldn't think to take my photo.  Unless...

They saw a large white guy standing on a wall, taking their photo. 

Shootout at the OK corral... This one is pretty washed out, but I had to shoot from the hip to photograph him photographing me.

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Nice Socks...

A lot of my old photos were somehow sucked off of my blog. I didn't have very many followers back then, so I'm going to re-post some of them. Or maybe, it's the first time I've posted some of them. I have no idea!


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Japan Imperial Palace Moat - Weekend Reflection

This is the view from the small bridge leading into the ancient Imperial Palace. It is an amazing place.  It is only open to the public a couple of weeks a year. We were fortunate to be there during one of them.

Here is the view in the opposite direction. I posted this one about a year ago.

 

For reflections by other photographers go to Weekend Reflections by James.

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Weekend Reflection - Tokyo Imperial Palace Moat

enlarge for enhanced viewing

Weekend Reflections by other photographers at Newtown Area Photo.

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Japan

As many of you know, my wife is Japanese and most of her family lives in Japan.  We’ve made contact with some  of them and they tell us that they are shaken and scared, but safe. Thanks to those of you who have asked about them.

Japan is really up against it right now.  Earthquakes are averaging one an hour, tsunamis have killed thousands, a volcano is erupting, it's very cold, radiation is scaring everyone, transportation is at a standstill, there are major power outages and food and water are in short supply.  It’s the perfect storm of disasters.

I’ve visited Japan several times and have been lucky enough to stay with my wife’s relatives instead of hotels. I’ve really gotten to see how they live their everyday lives. They are very much like us, yet they are nothing like us. There are a few things I can tell you about them with certainty…

There will be no looting and there will be little or no crime during this time.  There will be none of the unrest, rudeness, or sense of entitlement, we’ve come to expect in our country when times get bad.  People will not be expecting the government to do everything.  These people take care of each other.  Whatever Mother Nature and failed technology throw at them, they will endure it with grace, humility and respect for others.  You’ve seen them on TV, waiting in long lines trying to buy what little food is available, right? Did you see and pushing and shoving? No, you didn’t see it, because it is not in their nature to do so.

Is Japan perfect? No it is not. Their government has made some major blunders throughout the years.  Having said that, the people are the nicest and gentlest, I’ve ever seen.  If you are lucky enough to travel there, you will find that they don’t expect you to speak Japanese. In fact, most will be embarrassed because they don’t speak your language!

I didn’t mean for this to be so long.  Because of my crazy upbringing, I’m not easily affected by current events, but I have to tell you, this unfolding tragedy is kicking my ass.  If you have any positive and healing thoughts, or any prayers you can make. The Japanese can surely use them...

Dinner at Aunt Junko's house.

Yes, everyone is sitting on the floor!

Get together at Aunt Kiku's house

Dinner out with Aunt Toshiko.

My wife's mom is in the front right.

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Weekend Reflections - Golden Pavillion

This photo is a little out of place during my pre-Halloween posts. I like to participate in a little photography show and tell called "Weekend Reflections" hosted by James at Newtown Area Photo.

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The Golden Pavillion (Kinkaku) was originally built about 800 years ago. It is a Zen temple in Northern Kyoto, and has been designated as a UNESCO "World Heritage Site."

American Fast Food in Tokyo

First off, don't be alarmed that there is American style fast food in Japan. For every McDonald's, there are a ton of street food vendors and traditional cafes and restaurants.

Two-story McDonald's in a neighborhood shopping area

Local flavor menu. Notice the egg on the hamburgers.

People everywhere love the colonel. In Japan the chicken is sprinkled with goma (sesame seeds).

We had some ice-cream here.  It was darn good!

We couldn't bring ourselves to eat any fast food. It made no sense.  

Because most of buymebarbies relatives still live in Japan, we mostly eat home cooking when there.  Last time there we also ate at a fantastic Russian restaurant,  a Korean BBQ, several Japanese places, and a Chinese restaurant. All were excellent. But nothing topped the home made meals. Not only did it save us a ton of money, it is also nice to live as they do.  The Japanese food you find in American Sushi Restaurants is available everywhere in Japan, but it's not how they eat everyday.

I almost forgot about the pizza! Yes, they have pizza, but it is not quite the same. The crust was identical, but that's where the similarities end. We ordered two of them. One was a squid pizza and the other was a mayonnaise. The squid was pretty good, but by the time I was done with one piece of mayo pizza, I was about ready to lose it all...

Japan Color 08

Spring time in Kyoto

Many textures

Cherry blossoms and Maple leaves

Japan Color 07

This was part of an ancient water delivery system (still in use) in a small town outside of Kyoto. The water ran for several miles from a mountain lake.

They also used raised aqueducts that looked amazingly like those used in ancient Europe.

I know what I'm about to say is an oxymoron, but this looks just like a giant Bonsai tree.

Please ENLARGE the photo to get the best effect. You will really be able to see the results of all the hand trimming and shaping.

Japan 24

She is probably thinking, "Silly American tourists, always with their cameras."  There are times in Japan when I feel like I'm on the other end of the stereotype. I was wondering "how do they keep their streets and alleys so clean?" All of them...

Another one of my favorites. This is a very old four story walk-up.

I love how the zig zag of the stairway and all the sharp angles of the rest of the photo, fight for your eye.  

Japan 23

Oh come on! How about a little smile?

I actually know this guy. He is the uncle of Buymebarbies. His name is Yasiyuki Suzuki. You can't tell by the look on his face, but we really do get along well. We have something that draws us together...  We both know how to say "beer" in the other one's language!  We are just about to buy some "street food" in a local backstreet Tokyo shopping area.

Just another Tokyo side street. If you enlarge the photo, it's very interesting to see the total confusion of power, phone, and god knows what other type of lines, strung from pole to pole.

Japan 22

enlarge for enhanced viewing

Bullet train entering Tokyo main station.

Even though the train is the subject and focal point of the photo. Can you keep your eyes off of the long line of fluorescent lights running the length of the terminal?

The feeling of perspective  and depth caused by the light and the train, is crazy. When I turned to my left and saw the train and the light at the same time, I almost fell off the platform getting my camera ready. Please enlarge the photo and follow the light fixture all way down the terminal.  I don't usually have an opinion relating to my own photos, but I really like this one...

Japan Color 06

PLEASE click to enlarge these photos

Moat around the Imperial Palace in the capital city of Tokyo. The royal family still lives here today. It is a gigantic ancient complex, with the royal family living in a small isolated section of it.

Elevated view of the ancient Japanese capital city of Kyoto. Many of the ancient temples and shrines are in the background hills.

A peek inside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This complex is only open to the public, for one week a year.  The last time we were in Japan, we were very lucky to be there during that time.

Japan 21

Kyoto Station glass roof

I don't know why. I guess I took it because I've never seen such substantial urinals

Japan 20

Purple Eared Pooch

Field trip to Sensō-ji (a Buddhist temple) in Asakusa area of Tokyo

Better view of multi-color cherry blossoms at Aunt Junko's House.

The color is a little distorted. It was so overcast, I brightened it a bit.

 

not a great pic, but I love the look on my wife's face

Golden Pavilion

Yesterday, I posted a photograph of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. Because of the numerous positive comments about it, here are some additional photographs and information.  The Japanese name for the Golden Pavilion is Kinkaku-ji, it sits on an semi-island surround by beautiful ancient gardens.

Although the pavilion is an incredible place, the ancient gardens surrounding it, are it's equal. The many different shades of green plantings are amazing. Although I think I took some decent photographs of the gardens, in no way do they do the colors justice. 

These photos were taken on an overcast and rainy spring day, Other than a slight contrast adjustment, please note that these photographs have not been processed or "photoshopped" in any way.  It took a genius to plan out the garden and to select plantings for it.  The area has changed very little in the last 700 years.

for better viewing, please enlarge these photos

Normal tourist vantage point

Abnormal tourist vantage point (I'm probably not supposed to be there)

Certainly not supposed to be here

 Here either