Breathtaking Hakone May 4, 2008

It was a rainy night when we arrived at Yama no Hoteru or Yamano Hotel or Hotel on the Mountains. Yama is mountain, Hoteru is katakana term for a hotel. The Japanese have three writing systems namely: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Hiragana is used when the Kanji (Chinese words) form is unknown to the writer or reader, Katakana is a kind of writing system specifically for foreign words.

Our tour guide, Kazumi-san, entertained us with pictures of wild animals that can be found around Hakone. They’ve got some queer animals up there like mountain goats, regular deers and some tarsier-looking animal. Kazumi-san was kind enough to inform us how to wear a yukata (Japanese bathrobe) correctly, making sure that a letter Y is shown or feel the wrath of the elderly. If inverted it means “dead person” which is usually worn by obviously the dead. The yukata was going to be worn to the communal bathor hot public bath.

The Filipinos have a certain mentality of being shy or conscious of their being around others. Going to a communal bathmeans going commando. Some of the people in our group opted to stay in their rooms while other adventurous people (like me) headed to the bath with a bit of hesitation. First, you have to wash your entire body, scrub, scrub, scrub till you are squeaky clean before you hop in.  I completely erased my mind that I am around other naked women, besides the Japanese must be so used to public baths that maybe I didn’t even exist. I opted to stay outdoors since my body found the indoor pool too hot. It was a great and refreshing experience to enjoy a warm bath and the cold weather outside. I stayed for half an hour staring at the sakura trees and minding my own business! Haha

I eventually headed back to the hotel room content and rejuvenated. I slept really well that night by the time daylight came I tried to worm my way to another hour of lazy mindless sleep. TILL.I.SAW.THIS!

What an alarm clock! I jumped out of my bed as fast as I could and took in that gorgeous view that has been there since we checked in last night. Lake Ashilooked very serene, it reminded me of the fun fishing days I had with some family friends in Vancouver. Don’t you just want to get up everyday with that view? I could live here forever.

After enjoying a Japanese breakfast (a separate post), we headed our way to a Lake Ashi cruise (how very tourist-y)

A Shinto Shrine

View from the boat

Got off at the Togendai Port and headed to a cable car ride up to the boiling valley. My nose slowly registered the sulphur odor from the mountains. Pee-yoo. A quick trek up to the boiling valley with a treat of a black egg boiled in from the valley.

I ate one egg so I get to live 7 years longer. I wonder how many years longer Kazumi-sangets since she always visits the valley with tour groups. Hmm. Anyway eat more than two eggs your life shortens, hop in to the cholesterol train.  Though it was sunny in the morning, we were unable to visit Fuji-san because it started getting cloudy. Huhu. We ended up visiting a shinto shrine and the Hakone Sekisho (Checkpoint). It is a replica of the Sekisho built by the Tokugawa Shogunate to regulate travelers coming in and going out of Edo.

Hakone Sekisho

Officers checking traveler’s certificate

Before heading to Tokyo, we visited a local Shinto shrine. Once a state religion, Shintoism involves the worship of spirits or nature worship.

Up the stairs to the shrine

Small Shinto shrine

Ema – where worshippers write their request to the gods. If their request has been granted they hang another Ema to thank the gods.

Our  1 1/2 day trip to Hakone was too short. I would have wanted to stay a little longer and actually climb up to the 5th station of Fuji-san. There are a lot of small villages in Hakonethat is worth looking around. I love the Japanese culture. One of the best trips I’ve been to!

I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so!!

Touchdown in the Land of the Rising Sun May 2, 2008

Back from a short hiatus, I am currently internet-less (if there is such a word) but I am taking this opportunity to sort of “steal” wifi internet from a generous unsuspecting neighbor. Thank you very much! I owe my cyber life to you.

Just about two weeks ago, my wish has been granted! I was given a chance to go to Japan and actually set foot outside of Narita Airport. Yay! Naturally, once the bus started rolling I took out my digicam and started snapping pictures of the view. Did you know that Narita is not in Tokyo? As far as I can recall it is in another prefecture, hence the farmlands.

JR Line like a slithering snake

A quick view of Tokyo before proceeding to Hakone

A 4-hour bus concrete and nature scenic ride to Hakone and I managed to stay awake amidst the temptation to snooze after an exhausting flight. Hell no am I going to sleep when I finally can take in what Japan has to offer.

Yeah they offer instant vending machine coffee + entertainment. And highly advanced toilets that warmed my freezing ass while the toilet played a “flushing” sound to discreetly hide nature’s call.

I. SWEAR. This vending machine is really cool. When we punched in our order the screen found in the middle showed how our coffee was being poured onto a cup and how our coffee is being delivered to us. Sounds lame? But surely if you’ve seen it at work you’d want to punch in another order. Watch out! You may think it’s a cold drink but it might turn out hot! Which happened to me and my Oolong Tea.

Next post: Breathtaking Hakone in Two Parts

Still Alive April 12, 2008

Some eventful things that happened today:

1) Today was my last exam ever!

2) Last lab report

3) Resurrecting my blog after 2 months of completely ignoring it.

4) Will religiously update my blog from now on.

5) Working for Nestle as an intern starting on Monday (Wish me luck!)

6) Finally going to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, yipeeeee!  

Gaga Over Bread February 27, 2008

Not just anything taken out from the oven. It’s raisin bread and banana bread from Baguio Country Club.

I apologize if  the photo doesn’t do justice on such super treats. Baguio is a favorite vacation destination for locals and tourists, as well. City dwellers retreat to Baguio for its cool weather and fresh air.

Baguio Country Club’s famous raisin and banana bread has been my all-time favorite. I always look forward to these pasalubongs (Filipino term for a gift given from a trip). The raisin bread is freshly baked everyday. Every mouthful is an explosion of the tasty raisins smothered with just enough cinnamon on the sides. By the far the best raisin bread I’ve ever tasted, it’s sweetness and softness plus somewhat-crunchiness makes it a keeper. The banana bread goes hand in hand with the raisin bread, I’d seriously be disappointed if I didn’t get both! They’re a dynamic duo, they have to come together or have no bread at all! What can I say about the banana bread? Either than the fact that it’s soft and moist or that as you take a bite it disintegrates in your mouth bursting with flavor?

 Try it to believe yet. Demand it if you must!

Proenza Schouler Fall 08 February 7, 2008

Before I leave for my 2-day retreat, I’d just like to share Proenza Schouler’s Fall 08 Collection. I have difficulty mix and matching tights/stockings, I always end up wearing black stocking-ish tights with black patent pumps or stilletos. I absolutely loved the rich colors and soft textures of each outfit and how amazing the color combination looked on each model!

 Some of my favorite outfits:

My ulitmate favorite. Loving the gold mini dress

My favorite too! Couldn’t choose which was better!

Lusting over the jacket

Classic.

I adore how the blue eyeshadow was applied, it doesn’t make it look like she just came from a brawl.

Don’t you just want to have it all?

More on this site.

 

For the Kids January 27, 2008

With over 650 kids from 35 SPED (Special Education) Centers/Schools, the entire LaSallian community participated in the mini-Olympics, For The Kids.

Some kid going all out on stage!

For the Kids or FTK in short, is an annual event hosted by COSCA (Center for Social Action and Concern) in my University. A student volunteers to take care of a child for one whole day, being their “ate” (Filipino for big sister) or “kuya” (Filipino for big brother). Each volunteer gets to choose which type of child they prefer to be with. Children with special conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Hearing Impairment, Visually Impairment, Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy and Down’s Syndrome.

One thing I noticed: being an Engineering undergraduate = cut off from civilization. It’s my last year of college and that’s the time I started joining different University activities such as this. Last December, I convinced some of my friends to join FTK with me. I wanted a Deaf kid, a girl in particular, because it was a bonus to learn a bit of sign language. The coordinators warned us about kids with ADHD since they tend to be extremely hyper, running around everywhere. Not my thing. So I signed up with a deaf girl named: Judy Ann. Yes, as in “Judy Ann Santos” (A popular Filipino actress). I easily remembered her name in that case.

Not really “kids” but young ladies: Judy Ann de la Cruz (left) and Rose Ann Serrano (right) both are hearing impaired.

They both look so normal, they get flustered over guys. They like chinky-eyed men and don’t hesitate getting my attention and repeatedly asking about them. It was definitely a challenge for me and my friend, Lav, who is the big sis of Rose Ann, because they really couldn’t speak at all and relied on sign language. Worse comes to worse the girls write what they have to say.

Communication is not a barrier at all.

We were assigned to 3 games: Standing Long Jump, 75m race and Basketball Shootout. They were tall and up against children so they had no problem bagging the top ranks.

 

Two playful Hearing Impaired boys jumping and fooling around

JUMP!

RUN!

I did learn from them, basic sign language such as yes, no, a joke, beautiful, just a moment and candy! Definitely a rewarding experience, having to express your thoughts via pen and paper. The whole time I felt I was mute, I kind of forgot that other people could hear me.

A Little Yoga Humor January 24, 2008

Ugh. Thesis is eating up my Fridays and Saturdays not to mention the other days of the week where I get to enjoy my gym and yoga session. Oh God. Just gut it out for another 2 months.

Anyway, it’s my last academic term and who could have thought that I am still buzzing like a busy bee! I thought seniors had it easy by the end.

A little deviation, I found this comic clip in the Yoga community in my Livejournal.

The irony. Yoga is supposed to be simple, pragmatic and soothing. Not a consumer-fest! Although I can honestly admit that I have somehow fallen into the materialism trap. I purchased a “branded” mat as opposed to generic ones. My only defense is – “It would last LONGER!” Those cute tanks from Lululemon and Prana sure look tempting… *snap it off!* .. maybe wait for a sale….

What The World Eats, a Time Photo Essay January 11, 2008

I stumbled upon this photo essay from Time Magazine’s website entitled, “What the World Eats.” The essay includes 16 photos of families from different parts of the globe showcasing what they eat, what products they buy and their favorite foods. It’s based on a book called “Hungry Planet” photographed by Peter Menzel.

Growing up, I’ve always been exposed to 5 cuisines- Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Italian and American. The usual case would be a lauriat feast with my family and relatives, occasional trips to our favorite Japanese restaurant, Filipino, Italian and American seldom visited although I still enjoy. No idea what a lauriat is? If you go to a Chinese seafood restaurant complete with their generic tables and lazy susans, you’d see a group of Orientals enjoying a feast of at least 5 different courses, ranging from cold cuts, prawn salads, crabs, lobsters, hot soup and dessert. When I was in high school around 16 years old, I was more aware of other exotic foods available in the city. My parents are not refrain from experimenting other cuisines, so suggesting a Persian restaurant would include a 30 minute non-stop complaint about how it’s not good yadda yadda yadda. Can’t deal with that, so I had to do it my way which my own personal foodie adventures with good friends.

This photo essay continues to open my eyes on how the other side of the world eats. It also made me compare my own diet. I’m always a sucker for anything Japanese, I love sushi, udon and those beautifully wrapped boxes of sweets that I can’t seem to touch but just admire. Fruits and vegetables, staple foods all around the world. I can’t help but notice how American products have seeped into our daily food intake. May it be a soda, or a pack of chocolates or even Colonel Sanders, I’m sure the family from Chad never heard of McDonald’s! I just love how food can already characterize a culture, a family. How one can deduce their diet and eating habits. Some just spend $1/week on food expenses! Wow! The diversity of the photos gives readers a glimpse of the fresh-from-the-farm veggies in Bhutan to microwave snacks in the States.

My love for travel goes hand in hand with my love for food. I try to be as adventurous as I can and as daring as I can be. Carpe Diem baby! I can’t seemingly comprehend how some people choose not to travel and stay at home not because of financial reasons but just because they don’t want to, it’s a “hassle.” There’s so much to see, so much to discover, so much to get to know.

Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist. A rule I shall live by. Needing a gazillion dollars to take a year off to be a nomad!

Christmas In Tagaytay December 29, 2007

Happy Holidays everyone! This year my family spent our Christmas in Tagaytay Highlands. Tagaytay is exceptionally cool as compared to the city that’s why we always like to spend long weekends or our holidays over there. Not only an escape to locals, Tagaytay City is home to the famous Taal Volcano, a popular tourist destination. Surrounded by Taal Lake, the active stratovolcano still continues to bring awe to locals and foreigners alike.

We stayed at the Belle View, it’s a perfectly engineered condominium situated on top of a ridge. It gives an unobstructed view of the volcano and the breathtaking view of the surroundings.

The view from the patio was absolutely gorgeous and I didn’t waste time staying indoors. As much as possible I stayed outside feeling the nice cool breeze of the air. It wasn’t as chilly as last year but it felt like natural air-conditioning. Besides, seeing my brother and his guest playing cards in the patio, I took out my yoga mat and firmly practiced my routine. I couldn’t very well waste such spectacular view, it really calmed my nerves. I also noticed that there are so many different clouds in the sky. Some are heavy cumulonimbus clouds that move turtle slow while some thin stratus clouds were moving at great neck speed.

Lunch consisted of a trip to the Highlander Steakhouse. It’s as close as us carnivores can get to a decent prime rib in the Philippines. Our usual order consisted of foie gras, pan-fried duck liver in apple chutney sauce. My apologies for the lack of visuals as I was busy devouring the delicacy and good old warm buttered bread. Prime rib was a top order and a refreshing dalandan juice to make things even better. I just love how tender and juicy the prime rib is cooked, medium well to my liking. The heavy lunch which consisted of the steak, a salad and rich tomato soup made us pass for dessert. But just in case, the Steakhouse offers a delicious tasty rhum cake baked by the Purple Oven.

Overall, it’s always a pleasure taking a road trip to the scenic Tagaytay. One of my goals in life is to travel around the country and truly take in the culture, the sites and the people

WoYoPracMo December 23, 2007

WoYoPracMo or World Yoga Practice Month is back by popular demand. All you have to do is practice yoga every day for the month of January 2008.

Things could not have come a better time, yesterday I just purchased a Nike yoga mat at Sports Warehouse at Libis, Q.C. I had a hard time deciding if I should opt to buy a generic yoga mat for the time being while I wait for my aunt to buy the Lululemon Eco Align Mat I’ve been lusting for all year. It’s particularly difficult to practice yoga on the floor, no mat, or on a random gym mat where I don’t even want to think about who or how people used it. I know I know, it’s just a yoga mat why should I buy it for almost $70? I guess it’s just me and the fact that it’s not just a yoga mat it has to be the yoga mat. Nike yoga mats retail around PhP1145 which greatly depends and oh not the thickness of the mat but hey to my surprise just how later it is released. Luckily, Sports Warehouse still had the old season style of lemonade/black combo just worth PhP800 as opposed to a purple/gray worth PhP1145, and yes it could be your paying for the “color.” Oh well that’s how the retail world works.. and marketing schemes.

Anyway back to the sole purpose of the entry, I bought a set of yoga VCDs entitled Total Yoga Flow Series: Earth, Fire, Water featuring Tracey Rich and Ganga White. These videos would enable me to somehow practice yoga everyday if time permits. Yoga classes can be quite pricey to students like me who still depend on meager allowances to fund such classes. Utilizing the internet and book power, having no moolah to enroll in a yoga center should not be an excuse if I want to be a true devotee. The only setback is there is no professional to check on postures and poses.

Back to back weight lifting sessions also help me build my strength, stamina and endurance. Hopefully I would incorporate yoga in my daily life throughout my lifetime and this won’t just be another one my phases where I go I-like-it-then -after- few-years-I-don’t phase.