"Dancing and Drink"- What Does it Mean to You!

OMG...
This has been quite an experience.  We arrived last night and decided to go out for a drink and dancing.  The first cab we got into said, "I know the best place for a drink and dancing."

We were excited.... then, he pulled into this area that made us both want to leap from the car and run.  But he said, "no, it is fine... I promise."  The guy led us inside and said 600 baht each ($20).  My brilliant husband said, "Let us see first if we like and then we pay."

The man agreed.  We stepped into a room with about 30 people seated around a "stage" drinking.  Okay... that's good.  Music was playing... Okay...that's good.  But wait what is happening that ummm, everyone is watching... why isn't anyone dancing...

And then there it was..........  a man and woman on "stage" dancing very intimately.  Please understand that I am not talking about the movie "Dirty Dancing"...LOL!

I was blown away.  I thought how did he think this was what I meant by dancing and a drink.  By the time we got back outside the cab was gone.... I mean ghost!  We started to walk very quickly and caught a TutTut.  He told us... "ooo, I know what you want.  You mean disco."

I thought, hmmm... this could be better.  But only by a little.  there was music... no "intimate dancing"...  a bar, but it was full of guys looking for these young girls lined up against one wall.  They basically chose the one they wanted to talk to and off to the races...  When I walked in with Franklin, they looked like who the blankety, blank, blank is she.  I started to say... "Your worst nightmare... a wife"...LOL!

We had our drink (400 baht Smirnoff) and then went back to the hotel.  It was so funny to see the difference between what I think of dancing and a drink and what dancing and a drink means in Bangkok.

Of course, I thought it would be better at my hotel.  I asked the conceirge for a dinner venue that required cocktail attire.  He lead me to the red light district online.  You should have seen his face when I showed him what cocktail attire was and what he sent me too.  He was so apologetic.

We are taking it all in stride as it is Bangkok... There are many more great things happening and I plan to write about them tomorrow.

Japanese Park Performances

So we went to a Jamaican Festival a couple weeks ago.  It was a lot of fun.  There are a few pictures on my Facebook page, but here I am posting a performance that I could not explain.

Park Performance in Japan... hmmm

Then there is the mime... he was pretty good.

Japanese Mime

Japanese Mime Con't

It's Been Too Long...

It has been such a long time since I've written.   The last two months have been full of travel throughout Japan.  I will sum it up in pictures in an effort not to bore.  Some can be found on FaceBook already.  Those that require their own posts will come in a few days.

Kyoto

Nyjai and I went to Kyoto in the south central area of Japan.  This city is absolutely spectacular.  It use to be the capital of Japan many moons ago.  The city was actually placed on the target list of the US during World War II, but removed because it was thought to be a beautiful place they did not desire to destroy.  Interesting.

We agree that it is incredibly beautiful and hope to go back sometime during our stay in Japan.  Here are photos from our 3 day tour.   I apologize for not remembering the names of all the temples.  I could go to the file and look them up, but I am trying to get this to you... Forgive me please.

At the end however... there is a surprise performance you do not want to miss!

This book gets a temple signature where ever we go....
Just for memories sake

Kyoto Tower

Where are these parking spaces when I am looking for one....

Hotel Lobby

Day 2/3

He is writing in temple book.

Nyjai and her animal... Agreyny.
It stands for 3 of her friends in Maryland
Amanda, Greysen and Nyjai... cute!

Shopping galore... Yumm.

Traditional Japanese meal.

I understand that it is rare to see a Mika perform.  This young lady is 18 years old and left home at about 12 or 13 years old to become a Geisha.  We got an opportunity to see and talk to her and it was really phenomenal. I hope you enjoy...! (Nyjai taped it soooo...)

Mika Performance

Matsumoto Castle and Snow Monkey

On Saint Patrick’s Day, Nyjai and I went to see the Castle first and then the Monkeys.  It was so much fun.  The Castle was from the Shogun Era.  I do not recall seeing a castle with a real moat around it. 

Not to mention the various hiding areas inside.  The Japanese men had to be small, powerful with incredible agility to live in these quarters.  The stairs were exceedingly steep and the ceilings low in the hideouts.  The castle itself was massive (6 floors).  They had the ability to see from every position.  The enemy had no chance coming out of the hills to capture this city. 

Of course, their military garb was innovative.  Now that is my perspective considering I have never actually been in the military… LOL!  It looked like it would protect them so- who am I to judge.  I am thinking mostly about the time period.

Nyjai loved it too.  We took pictures with Shogun militants who were visiting too.  Our guide said that in the 10+ years she’d done the tour, they never saw the Shogun.  This was a very rare occurrence.  I think they came out to see who this exquisitely stunning Nubian Queen was.  So I was sure to introduce myself.

Then we went to see the Snow Monkeys.  When I say that to my Japanese students, they stare at me like I am crazy.  They say it is a Monkey Onsen (hot bath).  

We had to walk about 2-3 miles up a snow covered mountain.  It was so funny.  Nyjai wanted to stop to rest every 25 steps.  You know I kept moving.  This chic needs more exercise…LOL!   When we go to the top about 30-40 minutes later, she was breathing all heavy.  I just laughed. 

The monkeys walked right up to us to say hello or feed me.  I think it is more of the latter.  We got some pretty good pictures with them.    I enjoyed seeing them, but most of all I enjoyed spending time with Nyjai.

She is really a cool kid… I do miss my other daughter too! 

Hold still... This is the last one.

Wait I found another one.

Excuse Me!  What do you mean you came to my house without a gift.

Move a little to the right, more, more... Mom!

Monkey see... Monkey do.

Nyjai: ooh this hot water makes me have to pee!
Me: stop touching it we have mile to walk.

Okay... until next time!
Smooches.