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Alternative Vacation

Alternative Vacation

I try to view the same places with fresh perspectives to see if I can find anything new about them.   I try to observe the world around me for interesting things.  As a photographer you need to notice what others do not.   Who else noticed the carefully placed cone against the pole to prevent people using the cross walk from turning and walking into the pole? Did I notice this because I have am the world's foremost authority on cone usage or posses a keen photographic eye?

Today's configuration:  Leica M9-P with a Summicron 28mm f/2.0 and a few with the Summilux 21mm f/1.4 and Summilux 35mm f/1.4

Jiyugaoka
Jiyugaoka
Jiyugaoka
Jiyugaoka

I seem to be seeing a lot of municipal vehicles lately...

Postal Truck
Postal Truck
Police Car
Police Car
Fire Truck
Fire Truck

It has been a very long week.  I had planned last Saturday to fly out to the US to see my parents for a few days but Mayumi wasn't feeling well so we delayed the trip a day.   Long story short she ended up having influenza and so did Kai.   I ended up canceling the trip to stay and take care of them.  Kai got a bit worse and had to be hospitalized in the middle of the week so the doctors could keep a good eye on him.  If you have been watching my Instagram Posts or Tweets you might have noticed some unfamiliar areas.    A few more days and we should be out of here.

Another silver lining:  A great view of Mt Fuji from here!

Mt Fuji
Mt Fuji
Hospital
Hospital

Carefully coned off spaces...

Cones
Cones

Rolling Stock = Loading Dock?

Rolling Stock
Rolling Stock

OK...Mayumi and I have been having a debate on my chosen location for parking.  I try to park out of the way to ensure my car's safety.   Can you image how much I would complain if someone wacks my door in the parking space?   

Hospital Parking
Hospital Parking

We went to eat Soba for lunch but this machine ate our restaurant...

No more noodle place
No more noodle place

We ended up having Chinese.  To no one's surprise I had Mabudofu.   It was the spiciest I have ever had.  I took a bite and was thinking 'this is OK'.  About 1/1000 of a second later my entire face was tingling.  I thought I was having a allergic reaction until I saw someone else having the same reaction.    It is probably feels the same as getting maced.   Heat aside it was delicious.

Spicy Mabudofu place
Spicy Mabudofu place

I can't make this stuff up...  I parked in this space.   The guys who looks after the parking lot came over and asked me if I was planning to park here.  I of course said yes since I was in the process of parking.   He said sorry these are reserved and asked me to move.   I did and then he proceeded to cone off the spots.  I have a fantastic action shot on my Instagram feed.

Around the hospital
Around the hospital

There is so much ethnic food in this area...

Basuna
Basuna

...and a book store run by a woman who really loves her cat.

Old Book Shop
Old Book Shop
Old Book Shop
Old Book Shop

Today we had Curry for lunch at an Irish Pub...

Dublin Door
Dublin Door
Dublin Door
Dublin Door

It was fantastic.

Blog-20
Blog-20

Don't litter.  You'll make the monkey and crab sad.

Don't litter
Don't litter

There is really nothing in this area...

Around the hospital
Around the hospital
7 Eleven
7 Eleven

Well except for a cone obstacle course...

Cone Obstacle Course
Cone Obstacle Course

nothing...

Around the hospital
Around the hospital

The please take your time barber shop...

Barber Shop
Barber Shop

Mayumi is staying at the hospital with Kai each night.  You can't pry a Japanese mother away from her sick kid.   Mothers are amazing...

I stay with them until 10 or 11 and then head home.  Rather than eat alone at home I grab something in my neighborhood.  I actually haven't explored my neighborhood much at night and found some fantastic places this week.   Another sliver lining!

I found Old Flame.  A fantastic little bar that serves food.  I had Curry here twice.  It was fantastic.

Old Flame Jiyugaoka
Old Flame Jiyugaoka
Jiyugaoka
Jiyugaoka

I was going to have dinner here tonight.   What's better than Moonshine and Tacos?  It was a bit too smokey for my taste so I looked for alternatives...

Moonshine Bar
Moonshine Bar

I'm glad I did.  I ended up trying out Que Rico in Jiyugaoka.  It's a new Mexican place that just opened up, It is run by a Japanese woman named Eiko.  I had a few Tacos (also called round things by me sometimes).  They were fantastic!  The staff is super friendly and welcoming as well.   I can see me coming here again.

Que Rico in Jiyugaoka
Que Rico in Jiyugaoka
Que Rico in Jiyugaoka
Que Rico in Jiyugaoka

Thanks for stopping by today...

Calming and Blooming

Calming and Blooming

Back in Golden Gai

Back in Golden Gai

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