Japan, my love

So... Japan again. After two years, I went back to the country I love the most. I really can't explain this incredible fascination I have with Japan. But when the plane landed in Tokyo, I felt like crying because it felt like I had come back home after being away for a while... just. The same smells, the same atmosphere, the people, the lights - it was home and it was at the same time, like I had never been away. It just seemed perfectly natural to be there. Tokyo at first glance, Tokyo at night - going on the Rainbow Bridge on the way to the hotel, catching a glimpse of Odaiba's Decks. That incredible contrast I love - old temples and homes mixed beautifully with the new buildings - tall and made of glass . Everything finds itself in an amazing harmony all around the city. 

For me, Japan has always been like this - a mix of colors, of new next to old, of all kinds of people - always in a hurry, quickly passing each other in the crowded subway stations, talking on their "keitai" (mobile phone), or the ones that just went out for a stroll, the cosplayers, the office workers, the students. I like sitting somewhere and just watch them pass. One of the things I love about Japan is how the traditions continue to be so alive in a country that is all about technology and that, at the same time, has adopted many western customs.

Unfortunately, I only got to visit one museum this time - The Shitamachi Museum, where I got a peek at how life was in Tokyo 200 years ago, so I'm glad I got to see Edo Tokyo Museum last time I was in Japan. 

The day saved for walking in Tokyo was the day when the cherry trees (sakura) were supposed to bloom, a day for celebrating, of friends eating and drinking together under the sakura. In a word: Hanami. Only few trees blossomed and just as the forecast predicted, it rained a lot and it was really cold. Nevertheless, we went to Ueno Koen (Ueno Park) to see them. 

And I was finally able to go to a temple that is in this park, to buy a much wanted bell. I had bought one two years ago from this temple, but I lost it in a supermarket. It is a special bell, with a special sound, so I could only find it at this temple - the  Kan'ei-ji Temple. Returned home as the proud owner of a bell with a sakura pattern.

After Ueno Park and Shitamachi Museum, we went nearby to the commercial street Ameyoko-cho, a place where you can find all kinds of things at great prices - this time and last time too, I was really happy with my findings here. 

 
After eating in a traditional restaurant in Ameyoko-cho, we went to Asakusa to see the Senso-ji Temple. This time, I saw it completely differently than last time when the sun was shining and it was so hot and humid you could barely breathe squashed in a sea of people. This time, there were lots of people too, but everyone with umbrellas, hurrying to find a place to get out of the rain and cold.

But I was happy to see that the restauration of the temple was complete and I could see it in all its beauty. Last time it was covered and you could only see the inside. 


The temple two years ago:

One of the highlights of visiting Tokyo was the night view of the city from the 45th floor of the City Hall. If you go to Tokyo, you don't want to miss it. The entrance is free and the view - amazing!!!

But even just strolling through the different parts of Tokyo - so different from one another, so colorful and full of life, day and night is an experience you don't want to miss. Crowded Tokyo at rush hour, colorful Tokyo at night, you will want to go back for more, because one time is just not enough. 

Shinjuku

I am happy! ^_^  food is on the way!

Still in Shinjuku, but two years ago

Outside view of Edo Tokyo Museum 

One of the many displays at Edo Tokyo Museum - at a certain hour, it would come alive: the carriages and people would move, night would fall and you could hear all the sounds of a busy city street in Tokyo

Imperial Palace - one of the bridges to the entrance in the Palace

Amazing street - Harajuku. Bought lots of things at great prices here two years ago

Still Harajuku

Next - other stories from around Japan.

Wishes

Last year I decided to write in my agenda everything I wanted to do, all the places I wanted to visit, because, you see someone told me that if you write it and absolutely believe nothing can stop you from reaching those goals you set, then those things you wrote, will come true.
Well, I can certainly tell you now, almost a year later, that they do come true. First, came the travelling part of my wishes and then, the things I wanted to do. Not everything has become reality yet, because I haven't stopped writting, but I have checked many things and places already.
I was in Japan a year and a half ago - a country I absolutely love, a country that fascinates me, a place I don't think I will ever get tired of. I only stayed for 10 days and I didn't get to see everything I wanted to see in that trip so in July last year, I wrote in my agenda - Japan 2012 - here we come! because we were supposed to be at least two people going. I tried applying to some programmes for foreigners at Universities in Japan, but they didn't turn out well and I was almost at the point where I was thinking - yeah, ok! so I'm not meant to go back again. But I kept asking myself - why? if I want so much to go, why can't I go?
But I had forgotten something: there is a time and a place for everything. And that time has come for me to go to Japan - in two days, my plane will take off for Tokyo. I'm going to Japan for two weeks of sheer bliss!!! Found a great offer at a tourism agency a month ago, borrowed some money to pay for the whole trip - as it was totally unexpected, I didn't have enough money in my account - signed the contract and today I packed my bags!
After signing and being sure I am leaving for Japan I also asked for the means to get the money to pay back my debt - they slowly came. I haven't gathered all the money, but amazingly enough, I made more in three weeks than I used to make at my old job in a month and I am sure that after I return, the rest of the money will also come. Of course, this doesn't mean they just appeared out of thin air, I had to work for it - but the chances to work for the money I owe came after I asked for them.
So, make a wish and strongly believe it will come true. Because sometimes, they do. It's important the energy with which you make the wish, how you make it. I believe we are the creators of our own reality and I am happy. I feel like crying every time I think that I am really going to Japan! My wish came true!
Why don't you make yours too? Today! Now! Never stop reaching for the stars!

In Tokyo - 2010

Wonderful days

If I could share with you what I'm feeling right now, send you all the love and peace I feel, it would be wonderful. Then, we would all be surrounded by light and the serenity that awakening brings. Some time ago I was convinced that I had discovered the meaning of my life. I was too arrogant - that a little thing like me could hold the Universal knowledge. We each carry pieces of it in us and so, together we walk the lands of this Earth. This great planet that is changing right before us - can you see it? can you feel it? it's awakening! It is such a glorious site! Everything is dancing, everything is singing! We're embracing each other - we are One, made of the same energy. Don't hurt me, you will hurt yourself. Let's just share love and light! There's enough for everyone! Let's join the dance of the elements and the let's pray with the spirits! Together we will find the way and welcome the new world! Let the fog that you have lived in for so many years lift! Now is the time to awaken! Love and peace! It is not unattainable! It is not the wish of dreamers! Let us forget the dream that has been written for us by others - let's live our lives, really live it, let's wake and walk our own path! Shed everything you know about society so far - how it should work, what rules you should follow in order to be accepted by everyone - be a good child for your parents; be a good student for your teachers, be a good worker for your employers! Let all of that go - you are your own person, don't let the collective dream that others have chosen for you blind you from your own path.
The time to break the chains is now!
Sending you hugs and thoughts of love and light!

OSHO - Libertatea - curajul de a fi tu insuti

"Bucuria e contagioasa! Rade, si vei vedea ca altii incep sa rada. Asa este si cu tristetea: fii trist, si cine se va uita la fata ta se va intrista. Nu suntem separati, suntem uniti, deci cand inima cuiva incepe sa rada, multe alte inimi sunt atinse - uneori chiar si inimi indepartate. Ai venit din locuri indepartate; cumva, rasul meu te-a atins, cumva, dragostea mea te-a atins. Cumva, intr-un mod misterios, fiinta mea te-a atins si ai venit aici, in ciuda tuturor dificultatilor."

"Lasa dragostea ta sa fie o stare de a fi. Nu sa te indragostesti, dar doar sa iubesti. Este pura natura ta."

"Multimea nu iarta niciodata strainii, multimea nu iarta nicioadata outsiderii; ii distruge. Trebuie sa ii distruga, doar pentru a avea constiinta impacata."

"Poti avea libertatea, dar costul este sa accepti responsabilitatea in totalitate."

"Uita de societate; nu te lupta cu ea. Nu o baga in seama; las-o sa functioneze asa cum e. Daca vrea sa traiasca, va trebui sa isi schimbe forma, structura. Daca vrea sa moara, las-o sa moara."

"Cu siguranta vechiul trebuie distrus, dar vechiul este in tine, nu in afara ta. Nu vorbesc despre structura veche a societatii; vorbesc despre structura veche a mintii tale, care trebuie distrusa pentru ca noul sa se nasca."

"Te nasti ca libertate. Doar ca tu ai fost conditionat sa o uiti."

Chocolate and why I write

I didn't much care for blogs before - except for using them to sell the jewelry I make - and I thought they're pretty much a waste of time as I have so many things to do and not enough time to do them. But, for a while now I have feeling more than a little lost, so I decided it would be a good thing to put what I feel and think in writting. Maybe it will help. Maybe I won't be as troubled if I see them written and calmly think them over and get to the conclusion that maybe not everything is as dark as it seems. Something along those lines... I'm not saying I'm old, but I have reached an age - 27- when I think I should know what I want out of life, maybe even found my place in this little deranged society. But I haven't. I'm not saying I'm the only one going through this phase, but you know the difference - it's happening to me! :)) I decided to put them in a blog, instead of just keeping them for myself... this way, I wouldn't shy away from them. It's a little scary though, having my thoughts scattered here... ~_~

Now, moving on with why I chose to have a chocolate layout. I'm not much of a chocolate eater. I eat it when I feel down mostly, a piece of candy or a piece of cake... they don't call it comfort food for noting, right? :D I especially like chocolate mousse. I want to try and make some chocolate cakes because I want to invite some friends over next weekend and I have to have dessert, right? Last week I saw the movie 'Julie &Julia' and it gave such a need to rush to the kitchen and cook! :)) I love to cook and I'm always trying new recipes. I just recently finished redecorating my apartment, so, the visit of friends is necessary to celebrate my new home. And what other dessert better than chocolate, since it's not too hot outside yet. And just looking at chocolate cheers you up... at least, for me...

There are more things I would like to write, but my thoughts have already scattered here... I guess I have to take it one day at a time...

So, chocolate anyone? ^_^