Temples, Food & Gardens Oh My!

"Three Little Maids From School..."

Each morning I tell myself - just pick your 5 best photos from the day before and write a small post - you can always go more in-depth when you get home.  But there is SO MUCH to share!

Yesterday was no exception - we started out visiting the Imperial Gardens, then moved on to a Shrine, a Temple, a fabulous shopping area (HUGE) where we could get lunch on our own, Japanese style, and then to the fabric district for much fabric shopping and excitement - and then back to the hotel for my Intro to English Paper Piecing mini workshop and lecture, and we weren't done yet!

We loaded up on the bus to be taken to a traditional Japanese dinner served "family style" where plates of food were passed and sampled filled with much conversation of everything we had seen, experienced, and purchased that day!  It was a full day all the way to 9pm.

Services in progress.

So many people!

But I especially love seeing the children.

And, I left my "cheat sheet" booklet on the bus.  So as I write this I honestly can't remember what Temple/Shrine this was - 

Huge lantern from the back

All 3 big lanterns from the front.

So precious!  The joy of youth.

Miles of shopping stalls and crowds of people.

Beautiful pagoda.

Tokyo Tower just beyond.

All of this walking and wonderful smells was making us hungry!

Ahhhhh ramen!

Jill taking a picture of hubby Bob and his "Don't touch my noodles!" face at dinner.

Travel is always made better by the enjoyment of good food!

All four of us on our early morning walkabout -

It was windy and freezing, but we didn't care!

Even in winter the Imperial Gardens are beautiful - and the one thing we all commented on - even as hustling and bustling as Tokyo is - there was NO honking on busy streets by impatient drivers.

NONE.

We all could learn something from that.  If everyone could just be a bit more patient - honking serves no good purpose when there is no where to go and nothing to do but wait.  

We need this at home.  This HUGE city - no honking.

Ancient stone wall - hand cut to fit.

Does it remind you of a crazy quilt?

It reminded me of the walls in Cusco, Peru.  Each stone individually chiseled and cut to fit the one next to it.  No mortar.  Boggles the mind!

Even in the dead of winter - there is color.  Look for it!

Even the man hole covers are beautiful!

We will cover the fabric shopping and the workshop giving in another post - I've run out of time - it's time to meet the crew for breakfast and to get this day started!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

If you are looking outside yourself for what will make you happy, think again. 

Look within! 

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!