The train ride would have been better if Mama and Daddy hadn't forgotten Mama's PASMO card along with the rest of her wallet. This has happened one other time when we bring Daddy's backpack instead Mama's purse, nuts. After 8 different atm machines and 3 different banks, Daddy finally pulled out some money, so we could make it home (and eat and play). With the stress relieved, we continued on to have an amazing day in Tokyo.
Ueno Park is much like Balboa Park in San Diego. It is full of culture, arts, museums, and tourists. There is a shrine and a temple, a zoo and an aqua center (aquarium), multiple playgrounds, live entertainment, street vendors, a little pond (like Green Lake in Seattle) and the best people watching besides an airport. We enjoy live music while I am on the swing and Mama and Daddy were breathing a sign of relief.
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So hungry! We dig right in. Mama's favorite are pot stickers. Everything else is good too! I eat the whole egg mixed with noodles from Daddy's Ramen-ish dish. These noodle are spicy, but I've always liked spicy. I also finish all of Mama's soup. She shared with me and the next time she looked over, it was nearly gone. I love the kale and seaweed in most soups here. I could stay in Japan forever.... "Soup here. Kami's bowl here. More noodles, Daddy? Here, please. Egg too. This egg, this noodle. I eat them. Noodles for you? More soup. Mmm mmm. Water too. Spicy noodles hot. Water please. More rice, too."
Museums, temples, and the shrine are all fun to see and not as busy as the rest of the park.
There is a celebration going on today! While Daddy is out hunting for an ATM, Mama and I see a mini parade. 20 men with no pants on are carrying a box like the arc of the covenant. 10 men are in front of them with a huge drum and a few other instruments. A few women and more men with no pants (only white underwears) follow silently. They leave the temple and we follow them as far as we could. Looks like the are going up into a restaurant. I look at Mama for an explanation and she has none. She just shrugs her shoulders and says, "Those were some big drums." Maybe they have a picnic in that box? Daddy has the camera, so we can't ask for second opinions about the situation. Oh well.
Despite the loud celebration down at the temple, the shrine is very serene. The big pillars look like bird houses. I wonder if there are any babies in there?
Finally, the zoo!!! It is only an hour until closing. Mama and Daddy decide to do it anyway! I'm taking a snooze so they know they can book it through. Did Daddy forget deodorant today?? Or maybe he has a salmon in his pocket? This polar bear is looking and sniffing around....
Cool elephant map! Mama wanted to go back, but we didn't have time. "This would be cool for homeschooling," she thinks out loud.
Monkeys mountain! These ones were wrestling and causing a ruckus.
Ebony the hippo! She is so cute. The animals were being moved into their indoor enclosures, but Mama and Daddy still made it around to them all.
I wake up in time for the Jackass Penguins. It's on the sign. Is that a strange translation? Nope, apparently, they can make a noise like a donkey. "Jack box pengin? More pengin. Jack box pengin right there!"
See, right on the sign...
We take a family photo by the elephant picture. The man who took it was pretty funny about the whole thing. He took one, then got down to a low crouching position to get a better angle? Well, his dedication definitely made Mama laugh. "More pengins, please."
Mama asks Daddy to take one of us. This is the best one. "Oh dear," Mama says.
"More pandas! Nother picture? Camera here. I sitting here. Ready."
Before the train, I get to play. Mama tells me to go get my wiggles out. Japanese mommies are so helpful and they all want to see me have fun. This caterpillar moves kind of like a rocking horse. They spot me carefully even though I can do it myself. Silly mamas.
Wait, today is not complete, yet! I wanted to see some arm wrestling! Oh, here it is. Of course there is just random arm wrestling tables set up in the park. Hilarious! "Wrassle? They ok? Mama, ok?" Daddy assures me they are just having fun. I don't like it when people look like they are hurting, like when Daddy picks up Mama, when Mama goes to the chiropractor, or when somebody winces or says ouch. "You ok?" I ask and nod my head hoping they do the same.
Alright, we feel like we REALLY experienced many sides of Tokyo today. We will never see it all, but this was a great start. Goodbye Tokyo.... until next time.
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