Thursday, July 24, 2025 - Travel day to Tokyo with two new SNI friends

 I packed Wednesday evening while watching weather, international news  sumo wrestling, and baseball. I shall miss the Rembrandt hotel buffet. ,lively conversation with luggage accompanied us for the final, shuttle ride to the Kogen, the conference hotel. After a few more photos were taken we brought our luggage and joined a presentation of students who volunteered in earthquake and tsunami rebuilding as well as in Cambodia. I was glad to hear and learn additional information from these students, as I attended their presentation yesterday afternoon.

As we were settling in for the 9 am panel of conference speakers Jenny informed me that Leah had ordered a taxi to bring us to the Gotrmba station at 9. 10 and did I want to join them and leave the conference early.  I thought only momentarily and elected to join them and Thisbie. A,though I had wanted to remain until the end of the conference and say more goodbyes I elected to remain with Jenng and Leah. The gour Japanese of our Rembrandt seven  ame to the taxi to share more hugs and goodbyes. I remain deeply touched by that show of caring.  

Soon we were at the Gotemba train station,  and Jenny led us up and down and across to the bus station.  We bought our tickets for the 1005bus ride to Tokyo Shinjuku bus station. Although the bus arrived several minutes late we had no prior time commitment.  I kept in touch with Karin who was traveling from Disneyland to meet me. The countryside was filled with large trees creating a feeling of forests. Their green was dark and soothing for the eyes. I had the opportunity to learn more about Jenny and work at the international school in Shanghai. I value our conversation. 

The Shinjuku bus station is modern and has good signage. We were soon reunited with Karin, and she met Jenny and Leah. We shared a few minutes together and then parted. The other two had other plans. Karin and I went to a local  bakery/ cafe for some lunch. It felt really good to be back with family even though I knew that I would miss my new friends.

Karin and I had a hapoy journey to Disneyland. It is at one edge of the city. I knew were c,one when Disney ads appeared at nearby stations. It was more than an hour's ride. At the Miahama station we transferred to the Disneyland monorai i could see the magic castle and other park pavilions from windows andstzndingstraps shaped  Mickey's ears.

The reunion with Kenji and Leo was happy. Those two were taking a cooling break. We shared a few stories and then Karin and I settled into the next door room at the Mira Costa hotel. Its architecture suggests Italy, amd interior design follows the Italian theme. Our room is beautifully appointed. 

Kenji andLeo returned to the park for rest of the day, and Karin an I cooled down and watched our favorite  Sumo wrestling  until 6 pm when we boarded the monorail for the first station to find a place for supper at the area outside the park where shops and eateries abound. I have forgotten what it is called. We found Japanese place ancestors joyed curried rice and minced chicken  and rice, both with miso soup. We visited a store calked Bon Vogage that carries many Disney products. There was a long line of persons wanting to enter one area where a very special item was being sold. We have no idea what the item was.  We stopped at a grocery store to purchase food gor breakfast,  returned to the monorail and hotel and found Menji and Leo in their room.  After sharing about the day anc discussing the next day we headed to bed, weary and happy, especially since I actually walked 10,000 steps!


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