Japan Here We go!
En route to Tokyo, Japan.
We finally made one of our biggest dreams a reality. Going to meet our #1 destination across oceans: Japan. We flew from Chicago to a connecting flight in Montreal, Canada. The flight was going to be long but we had the extra leg room on the front row! I wore my comfortable slippers while others kicked back al-fresco. Yikes.
After a VERY long flight, numerous snacks later & a lot of questionable in flight meals we finally reached Japan! Entering Tokyo via the metro at night was like entering a dream.
We were handling the jet lag pretty well. We where tired but so hungry so we hit up the closest ramen shop to our hotel. It was the lower level of the Tokyo Sky Tree mall.
We found a kawaii shop & I just had to get a Pochaco umbrella to avoid the rain on our way to check out the 1st thing in our itinerary.
Konbini
are Japanese convenience stores that are a central part of daily life in Japan. The word konbini is short for konbiniensu sutoru, which means "convenience store”
7-11 was our first convenience store visit. There are other popular ones called Lawson and Family Mart. They all have a unique jingle they play when you walk in. The amount of ready to eat food options was jaw dropping. They even ask if you would like an item heated up for you! My favorite thing to eat was the cream filled mochi, Mochi Custard Taiyaki! These are the spots to also grab energy drinks, vitamin c liquid shots, liquor, and many useful household items. There even was a “cooler” with coffee and tea drinks that kept them warm! I highly advice trying the egg sandos (egg salad sandwiches)
total=$18
On the way back we admired the plants placed on the sidewalk by business owners. It is very peaceful at night and felt incredibly safe. It is courteous to not make loud noise after hours for the local residents.
and this canned cake vending machine ^.-
Christmas Eve At The Art Museum
The night before the 25th.
As the snowfall intensified outside, I made my way through the dimly lit galleries of the Art Institute of Chicago. The towering marble statues in the center of the room, and staircases adorned with twinkling lights and shimmering ornaments, cast a warm glow across the entire museum. I marveled at the intricate brushstrokes of European works ranging from 1400-1900.
We also hit up the print and drawings room. Made a stop to the Photography & Media room. Had fun among the sculptures of the Greek, Roman and Byzantine world. Pure magic of the night before Christmas.
As we made my way out of the museum and back into the frosty Chicago air, I felt inspired and grateful for the experience of being surrounded by such beauty.