Thursday, August 10, 2006

Not Lost In Translation.

It's 1:15am in Kyoto. I've had little time and energy to post since we arrived in Japan. It's been an amazing trip, mostly due to the extreme kindness and generosity of our many relatives, who have gone out of their way to make this an unforgettable journey for us.

I think this picture sums it up. This is Kiyomi with her third (or is it fourth?) cousin, Maiyu, who we met for the first time. (She's five, and the last time we saw her mother was when she visited Los Angeles ten years ago.) Maiyu and her mother came to pick us up at the airport when we arrived, and these two bonded instantly and were inseparable for our five days with them, despite the fact that Kiyomi doesn't speak a word of Japanese and Maiyu, not a word of English.

I will post more later, and try and post a fraction of the ten thousand photos I've taken so far. Tomorrow we hop on a bullet train for Tokyo. I haven't lost anything yet except for a tank top, and the permanently pained look on my face is because I stapled my passport to my stomach to avoid leaving it on a train seat or in a restaurant restroom.

Oh, and I found out I'm related to Yoko Ono. I'm not sure what to do with this information yet, except to say that if any relative of mine was responsible for breaking up The Beatles, I'm sorry.

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38 comments:

  1. What a sweet photo! Glad to hear you're having a wonderful trip, although the belly staple mishap sounds painful. Looking forward to another update!

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  2. Oh boy, I hope that Yoko Ono revelation doesn't bring you any stalkers...people take that shit seriously!
    Your trip sounds amazing! Can't wait to hear more.

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  3. have a great time! i can't wait to hear all about it and see lots of pics! miss you!

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  4. What an amazing trip for you and your children! Can't wait to hear more (and see more pics). So cool.

    And I won't mention the Yoko Ono thing to anyone. I swear.

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  5. I'm related to John Lennon! So there we go!

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  6. Oooh, can't wait for the pics! Miss you terribly! Keep having lots of fun, I'm living vicariously through you as I don't get a vacation!

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  7. They look like they are having fun. So did they teach each other any words yet?

    Nooo, Yoko Ono?!?!? Your kidding? I may not tell my father that I know you.....cause he might be mad.

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  8. Glad you are having a good time. I love that the kids are friends, even though they don't understand each other. It is so much easier to do that when you are little.

    Can't wait to hear more.

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  10. Beautiful picture. So joyful. I'm glad you are enjoying your vacation, even if you are related to Yoko.

    To put things in perspective, my parents' foster daughter dated a mass murderer. It could be worse.

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  11. I miss you guys! Glad that you are having a great time and Marsha, I couldn't imagine your family being anything but Welcoming -- I think it's your family motto. Hope Rig isn't too distraught about the Yoko Ono relation-tie -- you know how sensitive he is about music issues. See you soon -- have a safe trip!

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  12. It looks like those girls have been BFFs for evah!

    And I'm so drooling over you being in Japan. Kyoto is my second favorite city in the world. It's so charming. I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it like I had.

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  13. That is so great about the girls. Kids are so amazingly adaptable.

    I'm glad you're having a good time, although I miss you. Can't wait to hear more about Kyoto and hopefully see some pictures!

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  14. How cool! Love the photo.

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  15. You're back!! Yay! And I don't care if you're related to Yoko or not. In fact...that's cool in my book.

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  16. Wow, bout time. I was going all OCD checking this site daily and seeing nothing, girlie. Be safe traveling!

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  17. the questions is, do you sing better than Yoko?

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  18. That pic is AWESOME! I LOVE IT! So, so cute...
    Glad that you're having a great time. I looovvveeee Kyoto. I can't wait for Will to see it.

    I'll look forward to reading more about your trip.
    Stay safe and umm...we'll be talking about the Yoko Ono thing when you return. The apology was a good start though.

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  19. Come back soon! I miss you and I need more stories. Especially this Yoko Ono one.

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  20. I hope you didn't lose that tank top while you were WEARING it.

    I saw Yoko on TV the other day. It's amazing. She doesn't seem to have aged a bit.

    Hope you are having a marvelous time.

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  21. What a fantastic trip. I am dying to hear more about it. Have fun!

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  22. Ooohh, you're gonna have to add the little Flickr thingy so you don't leave any pics out.

    Safe returns!!

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  23. I love the picture. And I'm dying to hear about your relation to Yoko. Dang!

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  24. The picture is priceless. Really darling.

    And the Yoko thing...hmmmm....nothing but cool in my book.

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  25. I love how kids have a universal language. Can't wait to hear about your trip.

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  26. Holla! that is so great about the kids.

    BTW, I pimped you out at BlogHer as "people you should be reading". apparently I was pretty convinceing as people were asking me to write it down for them.

    naturally, you owe me a drink.

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  27. That pic is priceless....I love how children don't see the language barrier...beautiful!

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  28. Marsha! Please please please post pics soon. I think a Flickr account is in order here.

    It sounds like you are having a wonderful time. I would love to visit Japan, and until I do, I will live vicariously through your tales and pictures.

    Seriously, don't spare a word or a photo. I will devour them all.

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  29. i believe yoko ono is the real life dorian gray......

    Kids are so great. they can find a common ground without worrying about the language barrier. that's cool.

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  30. Oh my God! Michael and I always thought Yoko Ono looked just like your cousin Doreen. Remeber Yoko Ono's solo album cover with those really big sunglasses? Wow,
    we were on to something back then....genes are a bitch.

    Glad you're having a great time. I'm totally jealous.

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  31. I love the picture. They look so happy and cute!! So very sweet. I love the little one's kamino too, very very beautiful.

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  32. hey! long time no see. japan--pretty effing good excuse, though!

    i am going to pretend I did not read the "I am related to Yoko Ono" bit, though;-)

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  33. Girlfriend Bliss.......

    And hey, Yoko is one amazingly talented woman, and if the Beatles couldn't hold it together that is their problem!

    Anne

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  34. Hey, I don't blame Yoko. I think she's a cool-ass mofo.

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  35. I'm way behind, but I'm so glad you're enjoying the trip. I'm v. jealous. Japan is one place I'm dying to visit.

    If only that flight wasn't such a killer.

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  36. Oh, that video made me smile. It's been almost 20 years since I was in Japan. Wow.

    Okay, that made me feel really fucking old right there. I'm going to cry.

    Sumimasen.

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  37. That picture of the cousins is priceless. I remember bonding with my great aunt in Switzerland even though we did not speak the same language. It was an amazing thing.

    Hope you are enjoying (enjoyed?) your trip.

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  38. Amazing how it doesn't matter to kids if they speak the same language. What a great shot!

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