Letters from Japan and beyond

When the big guy says, "I'll write this one," you grin and be happy. Because you know how funny he is -- about people, work, and how he really feels about his scooter.

EP 12. Is it a 3D Rubik's Cube? Nope, it's a modern mechanized shifting up/down/across parking garage.

Traffic in Yokohama never stops, so Bill and I thought it best that I practice driving the scooter close. That is, until a friend called to meet her downtown for lunch. With trepidation, red scooter and I braved our way around taxis, buses, and a zillion cars, ending with an "I did it."

EP 10. The districts of Tokyo are an eye opener for a girl from south Alabama. Want a TV? Got to Akihabara, doesn't matter what kind of TV or technology but be ready for the crowds. And a little about Sumo.

EP 09. I've learned a whole new way of shopping for dinner: one meal at a time, every day, buying everything fresh at small, friendly owner shops in the neighborhood. But the biggest surprise? Reserving a tennis court by lottery, a month in advance!

A big process, but Bill finally rode his Yamaha double seater home.

EP 7: Finding a motorscooter was easy -- the papers, license, helmets were the complicated part. It included getting our Japanese alien papers and Debbie's Japanese papers!

The joy and frustration of shopping as a gaijen in Japan.

EP 05. Oh where is our shipment from the States! A futon, chair, desk and computer -- and one terrific radio system, is that really all we need?

Debbie, our beautiful and well traveled Rottweiler

EP 04: Going to Tokyo to get Debbie She's been in quarantine, our gentle Rottweiler, for 10 days. Trying to find the quarantine office at massive Narita airport counts as the biggest challenge so far in our awesome experience in Japan.

EP 03: First time going subway alone What's Sogo? Almost the world's largest department store and truly filled with everything beautiful and the finest of Japanese crafts. I managed the subway alone for the first time but the sweetest Japanese woman helped me find Sogo's entrance.

EP 02: Shopping by Pictures Just for fun, look at a package and pretend that all the words are in a different language. Then do the same thing in a library.

EP 01 Travel is easy unless ... your back pain is excruciating, the travel time is 31 hours, and you can't speak the language

First episode January 2 --Letters from Japan, fun 10 minute stories about living and traveling in Japan