Japan 2024 - Day 3 Aomori

 Its Friday night and Im sittig in my room in Kabukicho recalling events from a few days ago instead of dippingmy toes into the swirling pool of energy that is Shinjuku nght life.  It is as cold as the hottest days in Aomori.  The direct train on th eOu ilne takes about 45 minutes.  I have wanted to come back since that visit in 2011 to revisit the Nebuta Museum and to experience the parade.  This is the second to last day but the last time they will march about the streets at night  Inexpensive admission to the displays.  Many of which I remember like the create your own nebuta face near the entry.  Afterwards it opens up to a black room with a few floats and exhibits of partials to demonstrate how they are built up from a wire frame structure.  The black room helps to simulate the atmosphere s they are pulled around the route at nightfall.  For the longest time, I kept a picture of a head as it develops from, left to right, fully contrusted and painted to the wire structure with the wired lights.  It always made me think of how its pahsing from nothingness to coming to life.  Aother row of heads adorn above the pathway to the exit.  I didnt have the patience to take a picture of each and everyone as I did when I was younger.

Japan 2024 - Day 2 Hirosaki

 I fly in and out of Haneda a majority of times through he International Terminal.  The last time I came through Terminal 1(domestic) was way back in

Japan 2024 - Day 1 Tokyo

First full day in Japan during the summer month of August.  For the first few

Meeting at the airport gate, no more

 There is a generation of people who do not know the joy of waiting for someone as people deplane at the airport.  A long time ago, visitors to the airport could freely walk up to the gates without a ticket or screening.  This included the international and domestic terminals.

Due to 9/11, security measures were put into place that have cause long wait and headaches for the flying public.  Unless, you are willing to pay for the privilege of avoiding the masses.  Its added hours to the margin for arrivals especially during the heavy travel times.

At some point, the world will be a better place and we can arrive at the airport 30mins before boarding and make it on time

No Charisma No Charm

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Charisma