Fish markets and high fashion

We have been in Japan for two weeks and three days, not that we are counting!  It is hard to believe that we are here at all. On one hand it seems like we have been gone for so long from all that is familiar and on the other hand we have settled in so well that it is hard to believe that we just got here.

Today is Monday of Labor Day weekend.  We decided it was the perfect time to get away since the Japanese do not share this holiday and we expected the trains to be empty.  Our closest train station is a solid 30 minute walk from our house.  Casey has done this walk and she still talks about it...We have a way to cheat this a little by parking at Gary's work and walking 2 minutes to a bus and for about $3.00 per person you can get to the train.  This is what we did today.  

Figuring out the train schedule is made easier with technology and they are easier to navigate than you would think they would be! We made it to the biggest fish market in the world,Tsukiji, about an hour too late.  We were able to walk around and grasp the magnitude of the place but missed seeing the big fish that makes them so famous.  Smelled them though!  Plus, we got a great view of the thousands of Styrofoam containers that held the fish earlier in the day.

Gary and I made an attempt to see this spectacular sight in 1992, and it was closed that day.  Two strikes...
During our travels, we had to descend about three levels down into the subway system.  I am not much for deep, cavernous, holes in the ground....and tubes to travel in.  After two steep levels, I was telling Casey that we were very close to hell...she does not think I am funny, still.  Luckily I am also cheap and I was able to get over it as soon as we made a price comparison!  The subway was not crowded and the waiting areas were roomy so I have nothing to complain about.  We had decided to head to Harajuku.  This is a high fashion district and it did not disappoint!  We saw girls dressed like Anime characters, crazy eye make-up and amazing clothes. None of this is an option for Casey since she would look silly dressed in anime, the eye makeup is a no go and the clothes were NOT affordable!

We came home and we are getting ready for the normal part of our lives, school, work and for me orientation classes to familiarize myself with the base and all the great programs they have to offer!  

We miss home.....we keep meeting people who remind us of people we have left in VA.....It is not easy.  Casey and I know we have connected with people we will have a hard time leaving behind when the time comes.  This is the blessing of a military life!  Sad good byes means making new friends, that lead to another sad good bye!!  For right now, it is all Hellos and we are loving it!