Cruisin' on R&R

So, I'm reading this book, and the main character owns a small town newspaper. As I was reading about her deadline, and her staying past midnight to get the paper to print, I realized that I had all but neglected my blog. I do enjoy writing here. It's nice to have an outlet for my thoughts and feelings. I enjoy sharing my experiences, my joys, and, even my woes. It seems, though, that the longer I go between posts, the harder it is to get back into it. Take, for instance, my trip to MS in September. I was so eager to get back and write all about it! I mean, I had fun with my niece and nephew, my parents, and, most importantly, Jeremy had two whole weeks of R&R! We got to take a cruise down to Mexico! I had such an amazing time, and just knew that I'd get back to Japan and tell you all about it. Today is November 20. What?! What happened? I have no idea! But, I'm going to make up for it now. So, how about I start with my Jeremy time first? If that takes me a while, I'll just have to do a whole other post about my fun with family and friends!

You know, Jeremy has been gone for months and months. Our time apart has had its ups and downs. There are days I miss him so much I don't even want to get out of bed. There are days that I have so much to do that I literally do not have the time to miss him. Until bedtime, of course. Going to sleep in an empty bed night after night can get to be pretty depressing. So, you can imagine just how excited I was when his R&R got approved! However, the thought of sharing him with family that whole time was not exactly appealing. That's why I came up with the idea of a short cruise. I mean, New Orleans is only about an hour and half from where we'd be in Mississippi, and they do offer those little four and five day cruises. Lucky for me, Jeremy agreed that we needed some alone time, and he was on board with the cruise plan! 

New Orleans just before boarding

Neither of us had ever been on a cruise before, so I told Jeremy before we left that it was possible that we could be the rare people that didn't enjoy cruises. I wanted us to keep an open mind, and have fun. I also wanted us to be honest with each other, and if we (or just one of us) didn't like the cruise, then, that was okay, too. Honestly, though, I had nothing to worry about, because, we both had a great time! We did make some "first time cruiser" mistakes, but live and learn. The most important thing was that we were together again (and also that we were alone)!

Photos from the Mighty Mississippi

The ship pulled out of New Orleans on a gorgeous Monday afternoon. We sat outside and enjoyed the scenery on the Mississippi River as we headed toward the Gulf of Mexico. I never realized how beautiful it is in that part of Louisiana! All that time I spent living in, and visiting, New Orleans, and I missed out on so much beauty just to the south! Of course, I was a bit of a city girl back then, so I probably wouldn't have cared to venture too far into the swamp! Unfortunately, we were already asleep when the ship entered the Gulf, but the next morning we awoke to another beautiful day! We had room service breakfast, followed by amazing massages in the spa. I did get a little seasick that first day, which was weird, because I've been on tons of boats, (I mean, I grew up on the coast of MS!) and I've never gotten sick before. But, Jeremy was awesome, and he got me these bracelets that magically keep you from getting seasick (I'm sure it's not really magic, but science was never my thing). He's an awesome husband! We spent the rest of that day in and around the pool. It was a ton of fun! We did get a little too much sun, despite my valiant attempts at keeping us covered in sunblock. That night was the Captain's Dinner, and we got to dress up! We hadn't eaten dinner in the dining room the night before, so this was our first time meeting the other people at our table. I think we got very lucky with our table mates. They were both older couples, and pretty much polar opposites of each other. It made for interesting dinner conversation! And, all that sun we got that day? Well, it made us look amazing in our dress clothes!

Captain's Dinner

Us and our waiter

The second full day on the ship, we really felt all that sun from the day before. We were docked in Progresso, but neither of us felt like leaving our room, much less the ship! That may sound boring, but it wasn't. It was a rainy day, anyway. The point of us taking this cruise was for alone time, and relaxation. If you can tell me anything more relaxing than a day in bed, I'd be amazed. I woke up, and Jeremy was reading. He was hurting a little from the sunburn, and we were both just tired. The sun will really zap your energy! I asked him if he wanted to explore Progresso, and he said he wouldn't mind staying in bed and reading. And, honestly, I wanted to stay in bed and sleep! I did wake up a bit later, and we both enjoyed reading our books for a while. We did venture out onto the ship that afternoon, and then we had dinner again in the dining room. It was a great day! 

Of course, we knew the next day we'd be in Cozumel, and that was our big day! Cozumel was the dolphin day! We were going on an excursion where we'd get to swim with dolphins. We were both so excited! They said it would be about three hours, and we spent almost every minute of it in the water with the dolphins. It was amazing! They had lots of dolphins at the place we went to, and our group had one to ourselves. Let me see if I can remember everything we got to do with him: pet him, kiss him, he kissed us, we held our hand up high and he "stood up" out of the water and touched our hand with his nose, we watched him underwater, he "stood up" in the water and we rubbed his fins, we put our arms underneath him and he arched his back putting his nose up and his tail up, I splashed him and he drenched us, and, most awesome of all was this: we got to hold onto his fins while he swam!!! What?! It was simply amazing! I never thought I'd do something like that! Jeremy loved it, too! It was definitely one of those experiences that we'll never forget!

The following day was another day spent at sea. It rained a couple of times for a few minutes each time, but other than that, it was another gorgeous day. I was very aware that my time was growing short with Jeremy, but I tried to hide that. We had a blast that day! Jeremy had discovered that he likes pina colodas, and he actually had a couple drinks with me. We stayed in the pool most of the day, although, we did take advantage of the water slide, too. It's possible I gave them a show my first time down the slide...it was a complete accident, and Jeremy thought it was hilarious! Luckily, most of the other people in the pool were drinking pretty heavily, so I don't think they noticed. We did the slide several times, and after that first time, I learned to hold the top of my swimsuit in place, so there were no more wardrobe malfunctions! I was also more diligent about keeping sunscreen on us, so we didn't burn again that day. We enjoyed another nice dinner in the dining room, and then it was time to pack up.

That five day cruise flew by! We're thinking that the next cruise needs to be more like seven (or more) days, and we'd like to be on a bigger boat, too! Don't get me wrong, we loved that cruise! But, the bigger ships have better restaurants, and more on-board activities. We saw an advertisement for another cruise ship, and we were like, "Yes! That's the ship we want next!" 

Jeremy and I also had lots of fun with our family and friends, but I think I'll tell y'all about that next tine! I'll leave you with a few adorable towel buddy photos from the cruise...enjoy!

Scuba Diving in Japan

Before Jeremy left, I promised myself that I would do more writing, and I have failed, miserably, in that aspect.  So, in the interest of keeping that promise to myself, I thought I'd tell you about a recent adventure of mine.  While I'd like to be one of those cool, outdoorsy type people that are always kayaking or canoeing or hiking or whatever else those types of people do, in reality, I am more of a sit-on-facebook, or let's-go-to-a-bar type of girl.  That being said, I do love the water!  Whether it be a gorgeous beach, floatin' on the river, or just a swimming pool, I really love being in the water, or even just near it.  Naturally, then, when my new friend, Emiko, asked me to go scuba diving with her, I was like, "YES!!!"

Y'all, I'm really like a fish.  I love to swim.  I don't have any real technique, though.  I took swimming lessons for two years when I was little, and they just didn't take.  I was beginning to think that I'd never learn.  But, my childhood best friend, Amy, didn't give up on me!  She did what those instructors couldn't.  She taught me to swim!  I guess we were somewhere between four and six years old, so I'm sure you can imagine that Amy's way of swimming wasn't the conventional way.  She didn't teach me the butterfly, or how to swim with a perfect stroke.  That didn't matter, though.  The fact is, I learned to swim, and loved it.  I was never the girl that liked to lay out by the pool; I wanted to be in the pool.  Now that I'm older, I do enjoy laying by the pool, but I still love being in it, too.  I've swam in lots of different bodies of water, and with one exception, loved them all.  (That one exception is a non-issue.  I saw how big the waves were, but went in anyway.  I was a stupid girl, but mistakes are how we learn!)

Because of my love for the water, and for swimming, when Emi said scuba diving, I thought, "Piece of cake!"  I'm sure, then, you can understand my frustration when, after listening to the instructor, and putting on all that heavy equipment, the first time I put my face under the water, I was terrified.  I'm not sure that really conveys my emotion at the time, maybe TERRIFIED!!! is a better way of putting it.  You know, the people you see on tv scuba diving make it look so easy.  They just toss on that vest with a tank, and roll off of a boat.  First, no one can just toss that stuff on.  It is seriously heavy.  It's not just the tank that's heavy, that vest has weights in its pockets.  I had no idea!  I would normally say, "Second" here and launch into why they can't just roll off the boat like that, but we didn't use a boat, so I'd just be basing that off of my own opinion, and not fact.  But, in my own opinion, with all that equipment on, rolling off a boat wouldn't be easy.  Falling off of one?  Yes!  That would be very easy, and would probably happen to me!

I got a little bit sidetracked, there.  Let's get back to why I was so terrified.  I think that I let one little fear worm its way into my brain, and there it multiplied.  It started when I got water in my mask, and the next thing I know, I'm picturing myself being deep underwater and not being able to come up.  Yep, I went to crazy town!  There were several times that I went under, and couldn't stay there longer than a minute or two.  The whole thing is just very weird feeling at first.  You're underwater.  You're breathing underwater.  It's not natural!  And, if you start thinking of all the possible things that can go wrong, like I did, it is very scary.  I kept coming right back up, and I was starting to feel like this wasn't going to happen for me.  I was about thisclose to just giving up.  I seriously wanted to quit. Emi kept saying, "It's ok, you'll get used to it."  I was thinking that she was a crazy person and that no normal human could ever just "get used to it!"  

Then a very crazy thing happened.  I went under, and I wasn't scared.  What?!  I did, indeed, "get used to it!"  I don't know how it happened, but I am so very thankful that it did!  Had I quit when I wanted to, I would have missed out on such an amazing experience!  Y'all, I got to feed fish.  Underwater.  Out of my hand!  It was awesome!  I saw a baby octopus, sea urchins, and tons of fish!  At one point, I looked around, and I was in the middle of a huge school of fish!  I don't think that I can even think of the right words to use that would do justice to describing my experience.  I've got pictures, though!  

This was the first time I used my underwater camera...I can adjust the settings so that the photos turn out clearer, but I didn't know that in time for this trip!  Next time, the photos will be even better!  (This is the school of fish)

My flippers!

I'm feeding fish!  It's just too cool!

That's me!!!  I can't wait to do it again!

Also, the place that Emi took me to for this little adventure is called Osezaki.  Google it.  Right now.  Haha!  Seriously, though, this was probably (definitely) the most beautiful place I've ever seen in person.  It's like a little cove.  It's not a white sand beach, it's more like gravel, but that does not take away from the beauty.  Actually, it feels nice to lay on, with a towel between you and the gravel, of course.  As beautiful as the beach is, it is nothing compared to the view.  On a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji right there from the beach!  It is quite literally breathtaking!  I think that may be the first time I have ever used that word, but it's true, and I wasn't even there on a clear day!  I have to go back there.  I have to see that view again, and God willing, it will be a completely clear day!  Even if it's not, the view is still amazing, and I'll still love it.  You can still see the mountains even when it's not clear, but you just can't see as much of them.

Seriously, have you ever seen a place more beautiful?!

If this had been a clear day, you'd see Mt. Fuji in this photo!

I threw this one in for fun! These poor baby crabs were all dried up!

Scuba diving taught me a lesson in perseverance, and I am so happy that I did not give up!  I am thankful that Emi and the instructor were patient with me, and kept encouraging me.  You know what else?  I am so very thankful for my wonderful husband, without whom this experience might never have happened.  I love him so much, and miss him every second of every day.  I did learn that scuba diving will take your mind off of your deployment woes, even if only for a little while!  

Here are a few more photos that I took while walking around the area by the dive shop.  I think they're pretty nifty!

Torii Gate (usually these mark the entrance to a shrine or temple)

The torii gate and Emi

I can't remember what this is. Possibly a temple.

Torii gate and shrine

This is where you wash your hands and mouth before entering the shrine

Not a clue, just thought it was neat! Ha!

This tree is alive, but looks like drift wood! Crazy!

Fertility Festival (FINALLY!)!

I'm finally going to tell y'all about the Fertility Festival!  Haha!  I sure hope you haven't been holding your breath!

Just a little background for your reading pleasure:  Before I moved to Japan, my husband, Jeremy, asked me if I was going to go to a "Penis Parade" while living there.  I was like, WHAT?!  I mean, I grew up with Mardi Gras on the MS Gulf Coast.  I lived in New Orleans, right downtown in the Warehouse District, and worked in Harrah's Casino during Mardi Gras.  I really thought I had heard it all!  Naturally, I thought he was kidding with me.  So, I called him out on it, saying that there was no such thing as a Penis Parade. Of course, knowing my husband, I shouldn't have doubted him!  He challenged me to Google it, and I knew I was in trouble!  Now, it's not actually called a Penis Parade, but, googling that will get you to the Fertility Festival. Once I saw the photos, and the videos, I knew that there was no way I could live in Japan and not witness this madness for myself!

On April 7, 2013, my good friend, Pam, and I, went to Kawasaki for the Fertility Festival.  I'll start out with a little bit of the history of the festival, then I'll share my personal experience, and, of course, I'll share my photos.

How it all began:  During the Edo period, (1603-1867) Kawasaki was one of the final stops along the Tokaido en route to Edo (now Tokyo), where merchants would stop at the city’s tea houses, which doubled as brothels. The Kanamara Matsuri (Fertility Festival) is centered around a local shrine, which was once popular among Kawasaki’s prostitutes wishing to pray for protection against sexually transmitted diseases.This phallic festival originates from a rather nasty sounding legend of a sharp-toothed demon that hid inside the vagina of a young girl and castrated two young men on their wedding nights. As a result, the young girl sought help with a blacksmith, who made her an iron phallus to break the demon’s teeth, leading to the enshrinement of the item and the Kanamara Matsuri.  There are three portable shrines (called mikoshi) which are carried around the town in a very colourful procession. They are the Kanamara mikoshi (the original portable shrine), Kanamara-bune mikoshi (shaped like a boat), and Elizabeth mikoshi (the pink giant).

Today's meaning:  The festival is now a huge tourist trap.  I'm kidding!  Well, I'm partly kidding.  It does attract the tourists, (yours truly) but also many others.  Many married couples attend to pray for a long, happy, marriage.  Some, of course, pray for a fertile marriage, and along those lines, more still pray for healthy children.  Others come to pray for a healthy harvest, or even a prosperous business.  Also, the festival attracts a huge LGBT crowd.  There are lots of people dressed in drag, (quite fabulous!) not only attendees, but also some taking part in the parade. Who, or what does all this benefit (besides the locals)?  The festival raises money for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.  I did not know that before I went, but I think that is pretty awesome!!!   What better place to raise money for that cause than a festival filled with penises? And, a few vaginas!  Haha!

My experience:  Neither Pam, nor myself, were especially savvy with the train system, but we managed to get ourselves to Kawasaki.  However, we got ourselves to the wrong part of Kawasaki, and had to figure out how to get to the right part.  My friend, Brenda, was already there, so she helped us out.  Finally, we made it!  Unfortunately, the parade had already started. That did not deter us, though!  We followed it around, and managed to get a little ahead, so we got some good photos!  It was a sight!  These ginormous penises were being carried through the streets on top of people's shoulders.  Wow!  Boobies at Mardi Gras are nothing compared to penises at Fertility Festival!!!  After the parade, we found Brenda, and hung out with her and her friends.  First stop was the store to get some Chu Hi, and then we were on our way.  We saw all kinds of penises!  Big ones, little ones, black ones, pink ones, penis candy on a stick, penis keychains, big wooden penises you can sit on a take a picture, penis costumes...there were penises EVERYWHERE!  There were also a few vaginas, so I bought my husband a candy vagina on a stick.  Haha!  There were people dressed in drag, others dressed in funky costumes, and one guy dressed in a full body suit (he was creepy, but we got a pic anyway). Yes, we bought candy penises on sticks (how could we not?!).  The whole day was just a ton of fun!  Pam and I made it back to post that night, but we were in different tops.  We bought new ones that had penises on them (of course).

No, I didn't pray to the shrine, or at the shrine.  I went for the touristy stuff, and I enjoyed every minute.  Everyone there was having a good time.  I guess I should add one other thing...while to us, (Americans or westerners) this may seem like an adult's only type of festival, it's not to the Japanese.  So, yes, there were children there.  Yes, their parents did buy them candy.  Yes, it was a bit disconcerting to see little children eating penis-shaped candy.  But, that's my adult mind thinking that.  That kid doesn't know!  To them, that's just candy.  That's not to say I'd bring my kid, but it's a different culture.  

At some point during the day, I guess Pam figured out that the Chu Hi she'd been drinking had alcohol in it. Ha!  Thinking back, it may be my fault she didn't know.  She asked me what it was, or how it tasted at the beginning of the day, and I said, "Oh, you'll like it, it tastes a lot like Sprite."  Haha!  In all honesty, though, there is one Chu Hi that does taste a lot like Sprite!  We managed to find our way home via the train.  

This is just my opinion, but I think if you're going to be in Japan the first Sunday in April, this festival is a must-see!  I guarantee you'll find nothing like it anywhere in the world.  It's a really good time, and, as it turns out, it helps fund a really good cause.