Luncheon with the Ladies...and Babies

I was happy to host a luncheon last Friday with some lady friends. Our boys go to the same Jidokan together on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We enjoyed a smorgasbord of tacos, tea and some Japanese food. Ouishii deshita!! (It was delicious). After lunch, we chatted and they taught me a lot about the Japanese culture. It was also good language practice for me. Trust me, Japanese is a hard language to learn, but I'm trying hard!

Markus and I had a fun afternoon with our company! We'll have to plan for a bigger party next time.

Left of Markus and I is Mihoko and son Chihiro, Etsuko and son Ryota, and Sayaka and son Kotaro

Using chopsticks to fix tacos worked out to be pretty handy! Who would've thought?!

Markus and Chihiro chillin' out, Ryota is in the background enjoying my flower plant

Ahh...so adorable!

Strolling through Asakusa

The Kaminarimon-outside gate of the temple

Asakusa conveys the atmosphere of old Tokyo. Here you will find Sensoji Temple, the city's oldest and most popular Buddhist temple. The pedestrian lane, called Nakamise Dori, leading straight to the temple is over 200 meters long. It is lined with shops selling souvenirs and traditional Japanese goods.

Nakamise Dori

Sensoji Temple

Prior to entering the temple, you can find a crowd clustered around a large incense bowl where people waft the pungent smoke - the breath of gods - for its supposed curative powers.

Five-story pagoda

Rest stop before heading home after a long day in crowds.

Some useful Japanese phrases

Just incase you wanted to learn something new...
From time to time I'll add some new phrases to this post, so if you're interested check back.

• Ohayo gozaimasu (o-hi-o go-zai-mas) - Good morning
• Konnichiwah (ko-nee-chee-wa) - Good afternoon
• Konbanwah (kon-ban-wa) - Good evening
• Oyasuminasai (oh-yah-su-men-a-sai) - Good night
• Ogenki desu ka. (o-genkee dess-ka) - How are you?
• Genki desu. - (genkee-dess) I'm fine
• Kudasai (ku-da-sai) Please
• Arigatougozaimasu (a-ree-ga-toe go-zai-mas) Thank you
• Watashi no namae wa _______desu. (wa-ta-shee-no na-ma-eh wa _______ dess)My name is ______.
• Doitashimashita (doe-ee-ta-shee-mush-ta) Your welcome
• Ikura desu ka. (ee-ku-rah-dess-ka) How much does this cost?
• Sumimasen (sue-mee-ma-sen) Excuse me
• Gomenasai (go-men-ah-sai) Sorry
• Sayounara (sai-yo-nara) Good bye
• Watashi wa Kanadajin desu. (wa-ta-shee-wa ka-na-da-jean dess) I am Canadian.
• Watashi wa Amerikajin desu. (wa-ta-shee-wa a-meri-ka-jean dess) I am American.
• Otearai wa doko desu ka. (o-te-a-rye-wa-do-ko-dess-ka) Where is the washroom?