The Real Food Truck

The real food truck. Period.

Tako-Yaki truck (A dough ball containing octopus)

Xmas in Japan! 4 Munich Xmas in Sapporo!

German Xmas in Sapporo!? I just keep running into German culture wherever I go it seems! (A sign that I have to learn German :P)

Down in the heart of Sapporo Koen (Sapporo Park), there's a German

market going. This is suppose to go on till the 25th. There's a lot of food stands and decoration stands. The decoration aren't all German though (lots of Russian, which makes sense since Hokkaido is very close to Russia).

I got me some currywurst with potato salad and pretzel. Wasn't feeling up for beer (I was standing in the

snow) so I got warm amazake (sweet rice wine) to heat myself up. There are lots of foreigners here!

The park is well known for their snow festival with snow and ice sculptures, which I've been to a number of times when I was younger. It appears their Xmas attraction are lights! They are beautiful!

X'Mas in Japan! 3

Stepped into TokyuHands! Here's a brief looksy ofwhat department stores are like during the X'mas season!

Giant Pocky boxes. Like a stocking stuffer :D

Year 2011 is the year of the Rabbit. You need to get ready for the New Year's too.

More New Year's decorations. Lots of bunnies!

A Xmas Tree shelf selling little Xmas decoration. Probably not the best pic, but hey, it shows that they're selling!
Fondu sets have been popular this year...

Xmas party hats.

Xmas goodies! Can you see the Xmas shoe? they're very popular in Japan. They're mainly filled with candy with wrappers of popular kid's anime.

X'Mas in Japan! 2

Spent majority of the day in Harajuku today! Soooo many people here!

Before heading into the infamous Harajuku land (made famous thanks to Mz. Gwen), made a quick stop at Meiji Jingu. This Shinto Shrine has one of every type of tree you can find in Japan. It truly is beautiful! Walking in, I felt this sense of peace descend upon me. This shrine gets very packed during New Year's celebration. Everyone wants to come here to make their first New year prayers for some reason. After wandering around the pebbly road, taking in the sight, we turned around and headed back into the heart of Harajuku.

The energy is so different compared to the calm shrine! The road was packed and there was so much commotion wherever you looked! It was really draining.... But there was a lot to see! There are many creperies in Harajuku. Crepes are very popular among the teens. Cheap and delicious. Very good reasons. I ordered a strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream crepe. You cannot go to Harajuku without eating a crepe. Period.

The walls are covered with graffiti which I guess isn't so unusual for a city. In other parts of Japan, however, you are very unlikely to see it because cleanliness is highly prized here. I

passed by some flower shops which had more than your typical pointsettias.

Little ornaments dangling from the ceiling, reindeer logs, shrubs that look like xmas trees, and more. The flowers are gorgeous here! I have not once seen a brown spot on ANY plants here! I'm also digging the random Andy Warhol disply :)

X'Mas in Japan!

Here I am in Tokyo in the middle of December! I've gone to Japan many times before growing up, but never have I spent a X'mas away from home! I am quite excited to see what the holidays are like over here (especially the New Year!).

Took a flight first class to Narita Airport. Lucky me, I got to get off the plane with two bottles of wine for FREE! Score!

I am over at my older brother's place, he is currently living in Tokyo for his new job :)) Tokyo is pretty chilly, but there's no snow. Regardless, it is too cold for a Californian. There were a lot of blue lights decorating the bushes outside. Some white, but mainly blue. Not a big fan.

Also have a final paper to still finish... Off to Starbucks!

Super excited to begin my Christmas adventures in Japan!

Wonderful Memories of HarpMasters

10 days have past and beautiful memories and friendships have been formed!

I met many amazing girls and gained more confidence in myself as a musician and harpist! My performance of the Fire Dance by David Watkins went decently (I got a blood blister that popped... I bled on the harp.) and now my solo trip solo Europe begins tomorrow!

I'm gonna miss everyone here! I hope and plan to come back next year :)

Rosti

Won't lie, not a huge fan of Swiss food...

However, the food I'm being served at the hotel I'm staying at is HORRIBLE! Found dead flies in my pasta on more than one occasion :(

Decided to go out of way and head to Bern to get some decent food. I settled with Bratwurst Rosti while my companion went with Egg and Bacon Rosti.

When lined up against over-cooked pasta, flavorless bread and dry salad; these rosti's were DIVINE! We are starving musicians/artists! :D

Rosti is considered a national dish in Switzerland. The basic dish is fried, grated potatoes (similar to hash browns) and depending on the region, is usually topped with onions, herbs, cheese and/or meats.

Definitely savored every bite.