Monthly Archives: October 2013

Angkor Children’s Hospital… All starts with a pink tuk tuk!

Posted on October 31, 2013 by erikamae82

Northwest of Phnom Penh is another popular city that’s the gateway to the sacred temples of Angkor Wat. Semhal and I decided to take a weekend jaunt in that direction to explore the fascinating sights of Siem Reap. In addition to everything this historical city has to offer, it’s also home to the Angkor Children’s Hospital, a very special place that was introduced to me by a fellow traveler. (Ill describe that farther in the post). For now, lets get out of town!

7:15am – Semhal and I discuss what would be the best option to get to the bus station, a motorbike or… Wait, what’s this? A pink tuk tuk with a matching scarf around the drivers neck? Sold! What a perfect unique handstand shot! I cant dedide what I like more, his tuk tuk or that he’s holding up the hand signal for “Rock on” or “I love you”!

The bus providing us with the 6 hour journey is clean, comfortable and $13 per person.

8:45- Departure!

The first leg of the trip offers up some photos that capture the daily routine of the locals that live in nearby villages.

11:15- Our first pit stop allows for a 10 min leg stretch, bathroom break and quick snack. There was fruit, baked goods, fried plantains and a variety of spiders, crickets, and beetles… or were they worms? I’m not really sure, but either way, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to partake in this local delight!

A young local who didn’t speak English took it upon himself to show us through example, that the bugs weren’t only edible, but tasty too. Can’t you just see it in my face?

11:30- We pulled away and now have turned our focus on the bag of bugs in my lap. Since Semhal is a vegetarian (good excuse for not trying eight legged creatures) it was all on me to embrace this unique tasting.

Cricket, gross. Grasshopper, same. Bumpy worm thing, worse. Tarantula, like teriyaki jerky? Wait for it… Oh, nope… Gross.

We had to work for the other surprise snack as it was a bamboo stick that was properly packed with tightly bound leaves. Once unsealed, we found sticky rice and beans that seemed to be flavored with a touch of coconut milk.

1:20- Honestly nothing much, I just wanted to post this picture because I think it’s beautiful!

2:00- Our last break for lunch captures my eye for another handstand shot, it’s not everyday I get to kick up next to these beasts.

3:58- We arrived at the Siem Reap bus station and were quickly greeted by an adorable tuk tuk driver that led us to our hostel. We had him put a rush on it due to the fact that the hospital was closing at 5p and we still needed time to check in and donate blood.

4:32- When we arrived to the hostel we just put our bags behind the counter to save time as we took off for the Children’s center. Showered by the rain, we ran in mud covered flip flops in search of the green sign that would lead us to our donations.

4:52- As we eagerly entered, they welcomed us with a smile and a direct guide to the donation room.

I’d like to pause here for a minute and personally thank Sabrina, the backpacker I met in Spain last year who is the mind behind encouraging me to check this place out. Her sincerity towards the children and passion for helping them was more than enough to send me on my way.

Step one: Check to see if our hemoglobin number is high enough in the “donating zone”. Unfortunately Semhal’s was too low, so she got served a dose of iron pills (and dietary-nutritional advice from me) to boost her levels with the hope to donate next month. I was in the clear, so I snuck a bite of our handy rice bamboo stick (we hadn’t eaten in awhile) and now I’m feeling ready!

Step two: Lay down and let the process begin!

Step three: Trade in the awkward sack he put on your lap for a goody bag full of sugar crackers, a coke and a t-shirt!

If you ever get the chance to visit this city, I highly suggest going to the Angkor Children’s Hospital and giving 20 minutes of your time for a life enhancing experience. You get to meet the families that are directly affected by your energy and its a guaranteed spirit lifting event!

Serious side note: It’s becoming such an issue that they suggest, “If you’re taken to the hospital and you may need blood… bring a friend”. For more information on the need for supply in Cambodia, here’s a link that was just posted this month in regards to the shortage.

Categories: Edibles!, Travel talk, Uncategorized | Tags: Angkor Wat, Bus, children's hospital, Cricket, donate blood, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, tarantula, worm | 3 Comments

Cook like a Cambodian!

Posted on October 29, 2013 by erikamae82

The Cambodian cooking class is another version of the Peruvian cooking experience I enjoyed last year in Puno. Considering the kitchen is one of my favorite spots of the house, I didn’t hesitate to sign up and join in!

When you arrive, you’re greeted with a smile and a tuk tuk waiting to whisk the group off to the local market to collect the ingredients for our menu of the day. If you’d like to see the market in more detail check out the last post, “Food is meant for sharing and every human deserves to eat”.

Our kitchen? A rooftop terrace with an open view, several working stations and a lounge area. (Yes, I’m taking in notes for when I grow up and have a kitchen of my own).

Ingredients set, aprons on and it’s time to start. Generally how the class flows is by the instructor telling us what the next step is and why its necessary. We then either pitch in to complete it or in some cases, have to do it on our own for a single dish. First up, spring rolls with authentic dressing! Creating this tasty snack included a lot of shredding, massaging, squeezing, pinching and rolling… Almost sounds like a day at the spa.

We hand rolled each one before sliding it into the hot oil. While our appetizer was taking a blistering bath, we all pitched in to make the homemade sweet and sour dipping sauce.

Time to enjoy!

Next up we have a dish that I’ve been patiently waiting to try as its popular here in Cambodia and right up my alley! Fresh fish and herbs steamed in a banana leaf, sign me up!

Now, when I mention that we prepped the herbs from scratch, I mean we took these beautiful raw ingredients and pounded them in a traditional molcajete for at least 15 minutes. I will say it was neat watching them transform into a powdery paste.

Once our garden had been pulverized into a powder, we combined coconut milk, salt, sugar and local spices to the fish. Chili pepper to taste and now we have the base for fish Amok!

Hmmm, what will we ever pour this sweet fusion of flavors into? A banana boat of course! Heat the leaf, stack, bend, pin and viola… A bowl! Carefully pour in your saucy goodness and place it in the steamer.

What do we do for the next 20 minutes? Get to know a little more about the fellow chefs! Joining me around the table we have Australia, England, Germany, Switzerland, a couple from Lake Tahoe (an hour from my home town).

The fish is cooked thoroughly in our little bowl-o-banana leaf and now it’s time to eat!

For recipes and more information, please check out their website at www.cambodia-cooking-class.com.

Categories: Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: Cambodia, Cooking course, fish amok, market, Phnom Penh, spring rolls | Leave a comment

“Food is meant for sharing, and every human deserves to eat”.

Posted on October 27, 2013 by erikamae82

It was a year ago, the night before flying out of Malaysia and I found myself in a position of hunger as I had consumed all of my “emergency food stash” knowing my trip was coming to an end and I didn’t want to purchase more than I could eat. With no cash due to a broken ATM and no cards accepted anywhere, I walked the night market with faith that a few “samples” could hold me over.
With a rumbling tummy and a light head, I smiled my way through, stopping occasionally to drool over some tasty looking items… now that I write about it, kind of sounds like self torture! Anyway, I paused in front of a vendor to observe the options of beans, greens and soy when a gentle presence made his way to my left. With aged eyes and a frail looking body, he spoke in broken English and said, (to the best of my memory) “You should have some, it’s very good for you”. I politely declined with “Oh, I’m just looking but I’ll keep it mind, thank you”.

With the slightest head nod, he ordered two different options and turned directly to me and (very clearly in my memory) said these words:
“Food is meant for sharing and every human deserves to eat.”

He handed me a spoon and with a happy lump in my throat and a tear on my cheek, we stood there in silence sharing dinner. He smiled as he handed me the remaining and said, “Please finish… god bless”. He walked away into the crowd and left me standing there with gratitude and a new appreciation for food and mankind. After that day, my previous eagerness to share, give and enjoy with others has continuously expanded to a beautiful place in my life. Thank you peaceful stranger at the night market in Malaysia.

I’m not sure why I felt the need to share the story above, but either way it’s done and now lets move on to the scrumptious world of edibles in Cambodia!

Hello, my name is Erika… and I love food.

Typically when I’m on the road, I search for the local ripe choices that Ive never seen before or the ones that are a rare find in the states. Take Jackfruit for example, this massive fruit is one of the largest tree borne and can weigh up to 60lbs! Like most, it’s packed with fiber and nutrients but Jackfruit is one of the rare ones that also holds B complex group of vitamins. (Ill stop myself there as I can get lost in the nutrition world of edible items).

Although I’ve found it to be common in most third world countries, I still haven’t gathered total peace in purchasing from the vendors that have their raw chicken hanging above fresh fruit, or the stomach of random animals sharing the table with leafy greens. Clearly it doesn’t affect the locals, and ironically, thats what usually comes out together in a meal, but there’s something programmed in me that keeps my feet moving until I find the stand without blood next to the vegetables.

Meat and fish lovers may enjoy the following photos… Vegetarians, hold your breath and scroll quickly.

In the photos below you might be able to see the blur of the fish as they flip around. I suppose that’s the freshest you can get next to fishing for it yourself.

This puts a new meaning to a “fish stick”.

If you get hungry while shopping around, there’s always several options to choose from. The most common are a variety of spiced soups, noodles and sautéed mixtures.

My favorite Cambodian dish (so far) is the bean and taro tapioca bowl with warm coconut milk over the top, it reminds me of the rice with milk my grandma use to make. For dessert, I’ve fallen in food love with the pumpkin (the real vegetable, not the canned stuff) that has an egg custard filling topped with sweetened coconut milk and crushed ice. A homemade sweet pumpkin custard snow cone? Yes please! The most you’ll pay for either of these delights is .50 cents.
It’s also handy that you can sit down and enjoy or have it for take away in either a sealed container, plastic baggie, or to-go cup.

Then there is the small quicker options like hard boiled eggs, dried fish and pre-cut fruit. If you’re still in a snacky mood on your way out, theres never a shortage of random carts that are always politely pushing there way through with finger food items.

Along the way I spotted out this cart-o-curiosity that had been eyeballing me since I got there. What was in those silly roasted banana leaves!? Oh, a banana… Go figure. The stringy rice noodle texture surrounding the banana has me stumped, but either way, I usually prefer my bananas off the tree, straight to my hand.

Walking through these aisles of goodness, I find myself nibbling on random snacks and/or never putting my poor camera down. I’m not going to post the other few hundred pictures from the day, but here are just a few more!

So there you have the food portion of the incredible markets that are found in southern Cambodia. There will have to be a completely separate post describing the nonedible options that entertain the market seekers as well. Nail and hair salons, books and bags, construction tools to buttons and entire strips of what I would consider, a designers toy store. Look for the night market post coming soon!

Categories: Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: animal, Cambodia, egg, fish, frog, fruit, hungry, meat, Phnom Penh, raw, snacks, sweets, vegetable | Leave a comment

Take a walk through Phnom Penh

Posted on October 27, 2013 by erikamae82

When strolling the streets of Phnom Penh your senses may send mixed signals to your brain. The aroma seems to change with every step, sometimes pleasant and other times well, disturbing. I suppose if you keep your eyes open and actually look around, you’ll understand why your nose and brain are constantly battling. It’s not uncommon to see a mechanic sharing a driveway with a fruit vendor or raw fish for sale outside of a hair salon. This is all in addition to the traffic smog of motor bikes, busses and cars that crowd the streets. Smelling passed the clutter, there’s never a dull moment for your eyes on a walk through Phnom Penh.

Realistic conversation:

“Does it smell like cat food to you?”
“No, I actually just got a whiff of nail polish remover.”
“That’s strange, oh wait… where is that teriyaki scent coming from?’
“I don’t know, but the car exhaust is killing me!”
“Oh well, how about a coffee? I can smell the beans roasting somewhere…”
“No thanks, it’s hard to drink coffee with the smell of fish around here.”

A beautiful surprise placed itself in front of me when I turned the corner and found this push cart vendor with a few children that had just gotten out of school. Eager to practice their English, they greeted me with a smile and an offer that I didn’t want to refuse. A chance to interact with local kids combined with a mystery jelly-ball slushy made for a refreshing pit stop! They asked me which flavor I wanted and I said “I want to try your favorite”. Who would of thought giving these little guys the freedom to pick for me would bring so much joy to all of us.

The East side of the city brings you to a strip of souvenir shops, trendy book stores and restaurants with a view of the river. I didn’t spend much time here, but definitely enjoyed the breath of fresh(er) air.

I stumbled upon this gem on a side street near the river. The employees are given equal work opportunities and everything inside is handmade by Cambodians with disabilities.

I didn’t plan on stopping in this bubble tea shop, but the enthusiasm from this young girl was magnetic.

“Hello hello!” She said as I smiled by. “How are you today?” She continued, “I’m learning English!”
My reaction was an about-face as I responded walking towards her, “I’m having a great day and you’re English is amazing! Keep it up!”

We spoke for a bit longer and departed with a hug.The glow in her eyes and hope for the future left me on a natural high. I wish she could comprehend the positive impact she made on my life today. Thank you sweet bubble tea girl.

Here are a few creative pics along the way that ends your photo tour of the random sights you may see while walking the streets of Phnom Penh.

Next up… The markets!

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: bubble tea, Cambodia, flags, local kids, Phnom Penh, river, smells | 2 Comments

Ticket for one please… and a Cambodian beer!

Posted on October 21, 2013 by erikamae82

In the last 22 months, I’ve slept at over 300 different accommodations. A guest house, tree house, above a restaurant, in an office, a staff room, back of a van, loft of an orphanage, on the floor of several airports and I’m sure there’s more that I’m not recalling.

I’ve slept on a boat, in a train, and in a plane (if you want to count that), on a bunk bed, hide-a- bed, cot, couch, bean bag, bathtub, and in the dirt of… lets call it a “campsite”.

Not to forget the fancy resorts, average hotels, bed and breakfasts, family villas and the good ol’ hostel dorm rooms.

All of these of course, don’t include the spare space of my dear friends around the world who have opened their homes as I pass through.

My current location of residence is downstairs from my volunteer work place, which happens to be a movie theater! In the home, there’s a kitchen, shared bathroom, open living area and 3 other bedrooms.

The patio acts for a parking lot and shoe storage for all of us, including movie guests. As you round the corner, you’re welcomed to the entrance of The Flicks, the first movie theater in Phnom Penh! Every week they put out a schedule of specific screenings ranging from documentaries to recent blockbusters. The website is definitely worth checking out at www.theflicks-cambodia.com.

As you reach the top step, an outside balcony invites you for a sit before and after the films or you can choose to enter the hall and chill out by the bar.

We serve food, candy and what cinema would be complete without an old fashion popcorn machine (which made for a perfect “creative photo” of the day)!

They also sell locally made coconut oil, body scrubs as well as rich jams and syrups. All of these are made by hand and provide sustainable opportunities to those in need. Learn more at cocokhmer.com.

We always encourage a cocktail to enjoy while you lounge during the show. When I say “lounge”, I’m not speaking of sitting up strait in those awkward movie theater seats with the arm rest digging into your elbow as the kid behind you creates a drum solo on your chair. I’m talking about the couches and bed cushions that make up this cozy room for viewing. Place an order, grab your beer and lay down… The show’s about to start!

The guests range from locals to expats and include a bundle of fellow backpackers that are excited to feel a touch of home with English films and familiar junk food.

My job? I giggle as I type that, because the work here includes preparing the snacks and drinks, selling tickets and starting the film (watching it too if we want!). Clean up is a breeze and socializing with the guests comes naturally and is definitely my favorite part! Remember Bree? This is the fun spirited girl I met on the flight over here in which we departed by saying “maybe our paths will cross again”. Two days later…

Who is the operator of the genius idea? Meet my new Dutch friend Ramon. I’m positive there’s a handful of you out there who already know this popular guy of many talents. Author, artist, traveler, and retired backpacker, he has paved the ways for many couch surfers and exchange volunteers.
Words to describe this fella: quirky, smart, energetic and (based off of his panda bear hugs) certainly warm hearted.

Turns out I’m surrounded my amazing talent as Gillian, his roommate, is a dancer that is now the choreographer for a national broadcasting program. In fact, just this weekend she judged a televised dance competition where she spoke in the native language while scoring teams of K-pop. What a motivated young girl who took a one way flight from America to start a new journey in Cambodia. Want to see beyond the surface of this intelligent girl? I highly suggest sneaking more than just a peek at her blog pixiedustdance.blogspot.

Now we have Ashley, volunteer turned almost local, she’s also a part of The Flicks crew. Although I haven’t gotten to know her well, her straight forward personality leads me to think she’s confidently independent and her artistic creations expose her creativity. Here she is taking a photo of my “Backpacker go-to” layout. She has started documenting the difference between each traveler and what they always carry with them. (I was out of honey and hot sauce or that would be in there as well!)

Last but not least is my fellow workmate and volunteer, Semhal. She’s a driven college student born in America, native to Ethiopia and now traveling the world in the service of teaching English. With similar interests and instant chemistry, I feel like we’ve known each other for years! Between her quality listening abilities and natural positive outlook, kind and considerate doesn’t even begin to express the genuine heart of my new friend.

So there you have it, my short term home and new friends in the middle of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Next post… Heading to the streets!

Categories: Accommodations, Uncategorized | Tags: accommodations, Cambodia, cinema, Movie theater, Phnom Penh, The Flicks, Volunteer | Leave a comment

Trains, planes and a tuk tuk equals an emotional high!

Posted on October 18, 2013 by erikamae82

If you’ve been following this blog from the beginning, you’ll know that my experience has ranged from volunteering in small villages to helping out in grand hotels. Ive gotten to live in a tree house, van camp, hitch hike and lets not forget the random events of spoiling myself during “holiday” with friends from home. I’ve crossed paths and reunited with many other backpackers and have stayed with numerous friends from around the world. All of these events lead me to realize that I’m extremely (fill in the blank here with any positive word that represents or resembles lucky, blessed, fortunate, kissed by karma, etc).

After enjoying a luxurious month in Japan with my cousin, I’ve decided to return to my solo backpacking and spontaneous volunteering adventure that I started this whole expedition with.

I packed a small bag, bought a one way ticket and boarded a flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia… Butterflies included.

To give you an idea of where I am and what I felt getting here, I’m going to take you on a quick 24 hour journey from a train station in Japan to the very bed I’m sitting on as I write this.

“Hey Brandon, would you mind giving me a hand please? So, Ill be back in…. Hmmm, probably just… Well, I’ll let you know”.

First flight served up Japanese noodles with sauce and seaweed sprinkles, a tomato based spicy seafood pasta, what I think was a shrimp potato salad, bread and butter next to some orange juice. Complimentary red or white wine was also an option.

The snack of the morning was hot tea, a bag of peanuts, a mini snickers and a triangular rice patty stuffed with salmon.

My layover in Kuala Lumpur, brings me a smile and the first new friend of this trip. Meet Rochaq, born in India, raised in Australia and currently on his way to surprise his mother near the Himalayas. Over hot milk tea, (thanks again for that treat!) we had an in depth conversation of health and fitness followed by the usual travel wishes and stories. I joked about having different currency to tip with and just as quickly, he matched my pile. Combined, we money from India, Malaysia, Japan, Australia and the USA. Our time together ended with info exchange and a “see you again…somewhere…sometime”.

Who’s this? It’s the glowing smile that sat next to me on the flight from Malaysia! Bree is from the states and is now traveling from Bali to Cambodia. I think the most beautiful part of our conversation was the undeniable energy we shared trading opinions of yoga and backpacking to living a life with an open mind while maintaining a conscious awareness. Considering our Asia map has similar destinations, maybe… just maybe Ill see this sweet girl again!

Landing in Phnom Penh gives me a sense of freedom. I’m not sure why, but either way, my heart is racing with excitement while my shoulders drop a notch with each step. I feel at peace.

Why do I look like a giggling rabbit? Instead of taking a bus or cab, I opt for the $7 tuk tuk ride to my first volunteering home. A tuk tuk (dependimg on the type and location are also known as a Samosa, tempo, trishaw, auto, rickshaw, autorick, bajaj, rick, tricycle, mototaxi, baby taxi or lapa) is a motorbike with an open air carriage attached to the back for its passengers. The obvious choice for financial and entertainment purposes.

Backpack between my legs and my bag tied around my shoulders, I’m ready to hit the road!

Rather than describing each photo, I’m going to highly suggest that you actually take a moment to look at each one. You’ll see mothers with children on their laps, locals hard at work or hardly working and abundance of other random sights.

By this point in the journey, I’m fighting back the lump I feel in my throat and trying to keep my focus on the vibration I feel in my body (and I’m not talking about the motorized bumpy tuk tuk ride). These emotions can only be expressed as the deep appreciation I have for being exactly where I am at this very moment in time.

I am so grateful for my life.

Upon arriving to my new “home”, I’m instantly invited out for lunch by one of the house roomies. Ill introduce you to that cozy place and the others soon. For now, I hop on the back f her scooter and head to a vegetarian restaurant.

She ordered an egg sandwich and I had a mushroom patty with cucumbers and soup. In the middle we shared fried tofu with black pepper and lime juice. Including the warm tea, all together this lunch bill totaled $5 (in USD). Kind of pricey for these parts (sarcastic giggle) but we got to sit at a table, with silverware and additional sauces. Amazing!

We arrive back and I’m shown to my room which is where I sit at this very moment writing about my last 24 hours.

It’s only just begun…

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: airport, Cambodia, flight, food, Japan, Malaysia, Phnom Penh, tuk tuk, vegetarian | Leave a comment

Wait, it’s not Halloween yet… Is it?

Posted on October 17, 2013 by erikamae82

After a day of exploring the Shrine we decided to keep the energy going and visit the popular Takeshita Street that leads to the crossing of Harajuku Street. For all of my California friends, think of it as the “Haight and Ashbury” of Tokyo if you will. This energetic strip has it all! Unique gift shops, local eats, costume boutiques, candy buffets and lets not leave out the 90’s themed collectors store!

Ill start off fresh with a picture that I snagged for all of my “car loving” buddies. This beauty caught my eye simply because you don’t see things like this very often while “backpacking” around.

It’s not Halloween, however year round you’ll find girls dressed in eccentric costumes just out doing their thing and always willing for a photo.

There’s definitely no question if we’re here as we approach the main entrance to Takeshita Street. Time to kick it up a notch!

Let us take a photo tour, walk with me!

You know, my backpack does have quite a bit of wear and tear. Maybe it’s time for a new one?

Sweet tooth anyone? Fruit on a stick or crepes and ice-cream!

Fruit not good enough to subside your sugar craving? How about a candy shop! A few things to be looked for in this set of pictures:
#1 The adorable host outside that is passing out free candy.
#2 The size of Jessica’s marshmallow and the gummy worm (I mean snake!) that Brandon found.
#3 The girl dressed in all black needs to be added to the list of crazy attire you’ll see around here.

I skipped out on the candy store so I could snag a Japanese single serving dish. This little bowl had root veggies, soybeans, green squiggly things and dark brown circular objects. All glazed with what tasted like a ginger teriyaki sauce and it even came with chop sticks! Is it just me, or am I starting to take on a Japanese appearance?

With the sun down and a walk behind us we slowly made our way back towards the station.

Street food! Octopus and squid balls that consist of fish, egg, spices and flour pressed into a circle before being deep fried and served.

Although I love a tasty Kabob once in awhile, I had plenty of those in Europe…

Wait! I can read a part of that menu and I see, “healthy… green…” and “…exotic”!

Salad coming up!

Too bad we already ate, this place looked inviting with several tempting combinations. I would have went with the fig, kiwi and yogurt mixture.

As we exit the main strip, the modern city buildings hypnotize you with their crazy structures and mind teasing appearances. The first one is actually formed with a series of angled mirrors!

A deep breath (of city air) is necessary to take it all in. It’s reminds me of Time Square in New York City, except nobody is yelling and there’s not a slice of pizza around every corner.

Categories: Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: costumes, fruit, Harajuku street, Japan, salad, shopping, street food, Takeshita street | 2 Comments

The Shinto Shrine of Meiji Jungu

Posted on October 16, 2013 by erikamae82

Lets pause for a minute and (re)introduce you to my amazing cousin Brandon. We grew up seeing each other once every few years when our paths would cross at family gatherings. Our beautiful grandmothers are close sisters and have kept the connection tight. Describing him is simple, he’s patient and kind, yet assertive and witty…. trusting him is easy due to to his sincerity that matches his genuine personality. I know that sounds like a lot of “nice” words thrown into a sentence, but he truly is a quality individual. Here we are almost 20 years ago followed by a picture from last October.

After enjoying a wonderful visit last year, I’ve returned to Japan to spend time with him and connect with his stunning girlfriend Jessica. She’s the gorgeous girl photoed below that naturally enhances everything around her with a vibrant smile and bright eyes. I would describe her as strong and sweet with just enough spice to keep him on his toes. Between the movie quotes, exaggerated imaginations and our compatible sense of humor, this is definitely a couple that I enjoy being around!

Today we’re off to visit a sacred park in the city of Harajuku. Traveling throughout Japan is relatively basic due to the convenient train system. From our door step to the nearest station is a simple 5 minute walk and from there, we took a few transfers as we made our way towards Tokyo. Along with us is one of their friends Kennedy, he’s also in the Navy and has been stationed here for 2 years.

Pit stop for two sweet treats! I feel like we should all live up to the “adult” status and have dessert first once in awhile. Mini cookies made with sweet Japanese potatoes and chocolate chips.

Ice cream that comes in a handy pouch? Really think about this, no spoon or messy cone, just a perfect serving in a resealable container on the go. Brilliant!

We’ve made it just in time for a short walk through the city (check out the size of the super crosswalk!) and an hour of exploring at the park. Note to future travelers, the inner park is generally open from 9am-4:30pm.

Before entering the shrine it’s courteous to cleanse in respect for Meiji Jingu. The proper sequence is to rinse your left hand, followed by your right. Then pour water back into your left hand to rinse your mouth. Continue by rinsing your left hand again and finish by rinsing the dipper.

Just before bowing through the entrance, I took a brief moment to capture a handstand shot and create a neat photo of this door that caught my eye.

As you approach the center, you’ll find families, tourists, people dressed in authentic costumes and a variety of exhibits.

On this day, we even got to witness a wedding!

Brandon surprised me with a “safe travels” blessing trinket from the shrine. Thanks cousin!

Leaving the location brought us through a forest that was created in honor of the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken for their souls to dwell in. Each tree was placed and planted by hand!

An upside-down handstand (in respect of the Shrine and to prevent the Japanese guard from blowing his whistle at me…again).

After the visit, we took the long route back to the station through the popular Harajuku street. This ended up being so entertaining, that I’m going to save it for the next post! Here’s a sneak peek…

Categories: Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: Forest, Japan, Magokoro, Meiji Jungu, shrine, Tokyo, Trains, wedding | 2 Comments

The “I think it’s still moving” kind of sushi

Posted on October 14, 2013 by erikamae82

Lets explore three separate styles of cuisine that are notably popular here in Japan.

Yakiniku (sounds like yah-key-nee-koo) is a term which refers to “grilled meat” and was originally named for the Japanese interpretation of the Korean bbq. While it’s not as trendy as Sushi or Ramen, you can find several different restaurants specializing in this entertaining meal. Last year in Japan we happen to find one of the best in town… Flash back time!

This year we gathered some friends to try out a new stop up the road that seemed to be popular with the locals. A small problem, if you want to call it that, due to the lack of tourist in this area, the menu is only in Japanese. You’d think the pictures would be helpful… right?

To my left, Brandon and Jessica ordered what they thought was chicken and beef. What came out? Blubber and liver.

To my right, Kennedy and Lechich (navy friends aka- shipmates) ordered a thick cubed bacon. What came out? Layers of fat dividing red meat.

For my order, I played it unusually safe with fresh green Cabbage.

The total for four adults not including a few alcoholic beverages averaged about $18 person. My favorite part was the appropriate gum that came with the bill!

Next up we have a noodle based soup that was originally imported from China in the Meiji Period. In more recent decades, it has become a very favored dish in Japan. There’s a variety of options from soba, ramen to udon with flavors including but not limited to shio shoyu, miso, butter, reimen or hiyashi chuka. These meals range from $4-8 dollars depending on the size and quality. I haven’t had any this trip, but here’s a glance from a previous visit.

Time for my favorite… Sushi! Though we use the word “sushi” to refer to all of the scrumptious stuff that’s delivered on a wooden board, the word “sushi” actually refers to the sweet, vinegar rice. If you want more information describing in full detail the variety of combinations that grace the table for this meal, please google it.

For now, just know that it usually involves raw or seared fish, rice, sea vegetables, sauces and soy to create a beautiful mixture of flavors that pleasantly greet your taste buds. In other words, its simply delicious.

For our sushi experience, we got a group together at a local spot. This place has pictures on a huge menu, floating appetizers circling the bar and a very friendly staff.

After starting off with a warm hand towel, everyone continued by creating their own hot green tea. You put in the amount of powder desired, then use the fresh water spout to add blistering hot water.

We ordered a variety of fish to share around the table. From glazed salmon to garlic tuna and of course a few other pieces that we couldn’t figure out.

Next up, a gift from the waitress with a small cup of “surprise soup”. Awkward faces prepare for the first bite and although we still don’t know exactly what it contained, the taste wasn’t bad.

Since we’re on the note of mystery dishes, I saw that there was okra in some of the options… I love okra! We asked for “the best one” and out came a dish Gunkanmaki style with okra and what smelled like dirty socks dipped in expired peanut butter. Not my favorite.

For the grand finale, they treated us with their fresh fish specialty. It goes from swimming (literally) to your plate in less than 5 minutes! Once ordered, we watched them pull it straight from the tank to start the process!

They then “prepared it” by putting the raw meat on a small bed of rice (extremely tasty) and then serving the head and bones deep fried. The texture resembled an extra crunchy potato chip with a subtle fish flavoring. It was amazing!

Although ice cream, mochi and other desserts were offered, we went with a fresh fruit jello dish.

Total for this spread stayed under $13 a person! On the way out, there’s what appeared to be a colorful candy machine. Nope, it dispenses toys and puzzle games!

I chose to walk home for slight relief of my full tummy, which really only meant room for a new treat that I happen to see at a local mini mart! A green tea popsicle that hugged a sweet bean paste. I will say that although this is a “healthier option”, it’s not the best choice if you’re craving a good ol’ ice cream cone.

Categories: Edibles!, Uncategorized | Tags: beef fat, blubber, fresh fish, Japanese food, liver, local restaurant, Ramen noodles, yakiniku BBQ | Leave a comment

You know you’re in Japan when…

Posted on October 9, 2013 by erikamae82

You know you’re in Japan (and not a local) when…

…you run out with money in hand to what you think is the ice-cream man. Then after looking around confused, you realize it’s the garbage collectors truck playing that sweet music. Not funny guys… not funny.

…you go for a jog outside, in public and alone. It’s extremely rare around here.

…you hesitate washing your hands because the sink oddly resembles a yurnle.

…after looking both ways, you casually walk to the other side of the road… even when the crosswalk sign signals “wait”. You’ll often see several local pedestrians patiently standing at a crosswalk waiting with absolutely no chance of a car coming in either direction.

…you board a train without some sort of personal electronic entertainment system.

…your friends think they order chicken and beef and instead, get served blubber and liver.

…you go to stick a thermometer in your mouth at the doctors office and they panic before acting out the clarification. Turns out it goes under your armpit, oops.

…you return for the third time trying to by spearmint gum. What was attempt number one and two? Melon and lemon lime.

…you’re the only one not in the single file line.

…you think everyone is greeting you until you learn that “Hi” really means “yes”.

…the toilet has more buttons than your smart phone.

…your taxi driver is wearing a bow tie.

…there’s no one working behind the counter and there’s just various money left to make change for whatever you are taking out of the store.

…you stop to take a photo of the children’s “game section” of the grocery store.

Categories: Travel talk, Uncategorized | Tags: doctors, fun facts, garbage truck, Japan | 3 Comments