the weather is here, wish you were beautiful
Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2013
On 29, Apr 2013 | No Comments | In Culture, Japan, Travel | By kanannie
Yesterday was a perfect sunny spring day, and it couldn’t have been better weather for jubilant gayness at Tokyo Rainbow Pride. NB and I met up with my high school friend Mai and made our way to Yoyogi Park. With this event coinciding with the long Golden Week holidays, we expected a bit of a crowd to have to fight through. We stepped off of the train at Harajuku Station and were swept along by a sea of people making their way through one of the busiest cities in Tokyo.
The event itself was held right by the NHK stage in the park, and the plethora of rainbow flags and signs made it easy to find. Having lived in the U.S. for so long, I had only seen rare glimpses of life as a queer native Japanese in Tokyo. So when I found out that we would be here for Tokyo’s pride parade, I was ecstatic. In the past, the organizers of this annual event had struggled with participation and interest from the LGBT community, so we were shocked by the number of people who showed up. Wow, Japan, when did you get so gay?
Just Another Manic Monday
On 29, Apr 2013 | No Comments | In Manic Mondays | By kanannie
I used to dread Mondays. Not anymore.
Hiking Mt. Takao
On 26, Apr 2013 | No Comments | In Activities, Japan, Travel | By kanannie
Today we hiked Mt. Takao in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. It’s only an hour by train from Tokyo city center and offers many hiking trails for all levels of hikers. Takao-san is about 599 meters high and on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji from the summit. We weren’t so lucky today, but it was still a nice hike. It was ¥360 each way from Shinjuku to the base of Mt. Takao and you can save some money by bringing your own lunch. They also sell soft ice cream cones at the summit and you know I had to have one. Hiking and ice cream. Life is good.
Check out our Flickr set for more photos: Mount Takao Photos
My First Visa
On 25, Apr 2013 | No Comments | In Travel | By kanannie
We went to apply for our Russian tourist visa today. This is the first time in my adult life applying for a visa to visit another country. Luckily for me, I picked a country with a rather complex tourist visa application process, especially for a US citizen. They practically asked for a blood sample. It also cost me ¥10480, but I’m not sure if that’s because I’m applying for it in Japan or if that’s the cost in general for a US citizen. KS didn’t have to pay a dime. I hope we get it!
Waiting for our Russian visa…
I Still Love You, New York.
On 14, Apr 2013 | No Comments | In Culture, Quotes & Inspiration, U.S. | By kanannie
N and I are leaving our home of 10+ years tomorrow to travel to our home base in Tokyo before we start our RTW travels. I’ve been feeling a conflicted jumble of emotions during my last week here with the people we love. It’s been great, guys. Thanks.