This morning we went to Harajuku, the area where the young people hand out, frequently in Anime costumes, especially on the weekend. On the weekend, in one part near the shrine, there is a flea market. I love to look at old junk, it’s history, but in japan it is especially enlightening.

I once bought a photograph book filled with pictures during the WWII era. It showed a man in his military uniform, kissing his baby goodbye. Often wondered if he made it back. There are only foreigners browsing the remnants of others unwanted items, or the leavings of those deceased without progeny. Japanese like things new and shiny, no desire for the previously used and abandoned items.

I digress from the mission that is Harajuku. It the past, indi bands played on the corners, until law enforcement ended it. It was home to anime costume shops. quirky accessories and a good place to but things for my kids, items popular now in Japan before it trickled to the US.

Now it is home to be biggest haku yen store (dollar store), but still a good place to buy things for your kids. It has a huge McDonalds, crowded with Japanese teenagers, Chris wanted to try it to compare. I said its just as bad as the US, but the burgers are a bit smaller. He agreed.

Early afternoon, it started to rain, and I resisted buying an umbrella, that I did so many times and brought it home to my children. We took the train back to the hotel. During the afternoon it snowed. Lying on my bed, listening to my Ipod, drinking a hot cup of green tea, watching the snow coming down, a rare sight in Texas.