Weekend as usual

Escape from the capital 

ダイビング準備中。今日はマンタはいなかったけど、珊瑚の
綺麗なところで潜った。カメもたこも河豚にも会った。流れが
速かったので、珍しくちゃんと泳いだわ。

グルジアとネパールの遭遇

Georgia meets Nepal in MV.

ネパールのスリッパとチベット箱。eclectic style 可愛いものは、文化も国も超越。写真に撮るだけじゃ、満足いかなくて、欲しいものもありますね。こうして持ち物が増えてゆくのか。ノーマデックなのに．．．。

Photography

I love taking pictures.

You capture moments and emotions.

When I travel I see so many beautiful things. Unfortunately, I cannot take them home or buy all of them. But, if I take pictures, I can own them. Nice vegetables in a market, cute cat on a street, colorful carpets and textiles, art work, leaves flowers in forests and even buildings (and cup cakes that I didn't eat for that matter!)- I can own all of them in my photo album. They remind me of the excitement, smell and awe from the moment when I was there, standing in front of it and staring at it.

I am taking an on-line photography course now. I am learning basics of shutter-speed and aperture etc. I am having so much fun with my newly acquired toy, a.k.a. the Cannon SLR camera.   

遂にマンタレイ見た！

I finally saw manta rays today! Not one but four of them in one dive. 

They were beautiful. I was so impressed and excited. I had goosebumps and even a bit of tears in my eyes. The biggest one must have been 3-4 meters wide. They are amazing creatures. A couple of them swam by so close. They seem gentle and friendly. They seem so free, like a big bird in water. 

I enjoy each and every dive, but this time was absolutely special. 

今日初めてダイブでマンタレイを見る事ができた。マンタポイントに何度も行っても一度も見られなかったのに、まったく期待していない今日、遭遇！

水の中を悠々と泳ぐ姿が、美しくて、感動。鳥肌がたって、涙が出て来ちゃう程。インストラクターの人達と思わずガッツポーズ。まだ余韻に浸っています。

グルジアお気に入り写真1

まだグルジアネタで引っ張ります（笑）

Still reminiscing about Georgia. By the way, did I mention that I have nominated myself as an unofficial cultural ambassador of Georgia?

I am going to share my favorite photos of this trip.

There are many cats, particularly tiger cats- my favorite. 

Day time TV tower with moon

Church from 6th century

Traditional bread-oven (on the left)
I was curiously looking at the oven, and a kind waiter let me in and
opened the over and offer to take my photo with it. Look at my big smile!

  

夜のトビリシ

Parliament Building

View from my hotel room with nice moon, SLR can take a nice night-shot!

Colorful TV tower, very cute landmark. Right behind of the hotel. I have way too may photos of this...

Freedom Square, nicely lit up at night 

Souvenir de Georgia

I am back from Georgia. I fell in love with the city. I have brought back a piece of the country in my suitcase. Beautiful Georgian Kilim- about 70-80 years old (but un-used), hand-woven with a nice smell of wool. Purchased in a local antique kilim and carpet shop that has big piles of different sorts. It is impossible to look through all of them, so finding one that you like is really like by chance, "love at first sight".

I was told it takes 3-4 months to weave one like this. Wonder what stories this kilim has. I could only imagine...  

Will upload more photos later this week. 

グルジアりょじょう

It's strange how I stumble on a country that I have never even imagined of visiting. I knew it existed, but I have never given much thought to it. It makes me think all the more that there are still so many countries that I have not visited and so many landscapes and scenaries that I have not seen in this world.

Flying over Caspian Sea, stopping over in Baku, Azerbaijan, Georgia is actually only about 3 hours away from Doha. It is much closer than a place like London for me, but somehow it feels that I have come so far. It is unfamiliar-ness that gives the sense of remoteness.

I am mostly working in my hotel room today, but I managed to get out to see the city a bit during lunch time. I am sharing a glimpse of the city. Starting a workshop tomorrow for three days.

ドーハから飛行機で３時間余り、時差も赴任国より１時間遅いだけのグルジア。まったく馴染みがなかった国なのに、思ったより近いということに驚き、まだまだ世界に行っていない国や、見たこともない景色がたくさんあるんだなと思う。当たり前だけど、そこに色んな人が住んでいる。同時に、飛行機に乗れば、簡単にこんなところまで来られちゃうことに、おかしいけど感動してしまう。

町並みは私好みに、味のある年季の入ったレンガ造りの家が多い。悪く言えば老朽している。街の中心の目ぬき通りは、改修している建物が多いので、どんどん近代化しているのだろうな。教会がたくさんあって、色鮮やかなキリムや絨毯が綺麗。乳製品が美味しい！朝ご飯に食べたの、カスピ海ヨーグルトかな？上の写真は、お昼に食べた素焼きのお皿に入ったチーズパイのようなもの。美味しかったけど半分しか食べられなかった。この歳になると胸焼けするわ。（先日３６歳になりましたので！）

明日から３日間の研修です。

Arrived in Tbilisi

無事に着きました。とても綺麗な町です。印象はサラエボみたいな感じです。

Blissful moments in Japan

Watching Ningyo Jyoruri, Japanese traditional performance arts with almost life size dolls, each operated by three persons. Even though I did not sleep almost 24 hours and was right off a flight, it was so worth it. It is one of UNESCO world heritage and I really appreciate the history and arts of Japan. 

Outdoor hot-spring spa (onsen) watching the inner sea of Setonaikai with my mother 

Having a hot-pot with my family at home, insane idea in this weather, but with AC blasting it is doable, one of my favorite family dishes that I always request when I go home.  

Seeing friends, a girl friend from the time as far as I could remember going back to the kindergarden and elementary school! Another close friend with two adorable daughters who always have something to tell me. Two friends that I have not seen for the past 15 years. Thank to the modern technology, a.k.a Facebook, I got reconnected with them. Really brought me back to the high school and university days. 

Hanging out with my family- everyone was working, so I would wake up early to maximize my face time with them. I wish I could spend more time with my sisters, but it was still so nice to see them.  

Shopping- bought a beginner SLR camera, books, some clothes and a half a suitcase of Japanese food! I think my wallet has a hole when I am in Japan. Money goes so quickly when I am not looking. 

Dinner out with my family 

Watching a Korean movie "togani" came highly recommended by my sister (it was a fantastic movie)

All the good food that I ate, fresh seafood, sashimi, sushi, grilled saury fish, sweets, everything (did I eat the whole thing of green tea ice-cream that is in front of me? yes surely!) I wish I have more stomachs to eat more...  

In summary, every moment was so special and enjoyable. I was out and about every day in the notorious hot and humid kyoto climate and got exhausted, but somehow I felt so energized. This means it was a very good holiday.  

   

１週間だけだったけど、申し分のないお休みでした。暑い中引っ張り回したお友達や家族の皆様ありがとうございました。次はもう少し過ごしやすい季節に帰ってきたいなー。