We actually celebrated Valentine's Day last night. We both went to the NEX to get gifts and cards and ended up running into one another. It was funny so we decided to go home and celebrate on Friday night instead. We drank champagne and played bowling in the new Wii. Saturday morning we both had sore arms and Jennifer got mad at the boxing trainer because she thought when it wouldn't register her hits the Wii was being biased because she is a female. We certainly hope every one's Valentine's day was wonderful and wish everyone a happy Valentine's Day. In Japan Valentine's Day is when women give not only the significant men in their lives what they call "obligation chocolate" but also their male co-workers and especially their bosses. March 14 is called white day, this is when men reciprocate with white chocolate.
Today we went to Yokohama, it lays betwixt our residence and Tokyo. One of the bigger attractions is the Yokohama Chinatown. We had lunch, it was great. One of our first biggest Japanese faux pas occurred, We realized once we have already changed trains three times taking an hour to get there that we had no yen. We had forgotten to go to the ATM we knew worked near our house and when it came time to pay the bill we presented our kureddito-kado and were informed the minimum payment for credit cards was 5000 yen ($50). They made an exception in our case, but we were appreciative of their graciousness and mortified. We bowed the appropriate 45 degree lowest bow.
This one is short, enjoy Valentine's day and the long presidents' weekend! The photos are of Chinatown and the women in the mall buying obligation chocolate.
Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteYour new house looks great - it must be nice to feel settled.
I gotta run - I have some obligation chocolate to buy for Mark. Doesn't it take all the love out of the gift when you call it an "obligation" - oh well, if I want my white chocolate in March, I just better do it.