Last day in San Francisco

It was the last day in San Francisco. It means last day with my parents and last day of our whole journey in US. The weather was blessing.



My husband finally boycotted from our family so I had private time with my parents. Just being three of us, it reminds me of my childhood when I lived here as a small girl. Since we back to Japan, we've never traveled to US with family so I was very happy to see my parents again in US. The day was all about bay and sky. I was wrapped up in this deep blue.



My father with his favorite seafood restaurant at Sausalito.



with my mom. I'm hanging necklace from my father. My parents are so kind to me than ever before. Especially my father, he never showed me his direct affection torward me. Being apart, you realize how you love your family and so do I.

After strolled down Sausalito, we went Pier.





We saw the Ark which used to float on the ocean! It looks like a normal house with shower and kitchen but has waterwheel!



When you take Cable car which goes to Hyde Street, you can find this pier at the last stop.



Fisherman's Wharf is also right on the corner.

After having a coffee at Ghirardelli square, where you could find the best chocolate in California, we went for Bay Cruise.



Even though the tour to Alcatraz was sold out, we could get this Bay tour with an audio guide. I could enjoy the city view from ocean..



Passing by piers..



and approaching Goldengate Bridge, which is colored real "Gold" by sunset.











Our ship went throught under the bridge! I was living in San Francisco but never seen the bridge from below!



Our cruise went further and finally start approaching to Alcatraz.


The ship went close enough to catch the sight of all the buildings remain on the island.



Actually, from Alcatraz, you could see the best view of San Francisco including bridges and city. I wonder how the prisoners felt from this view. Maybe it increase the feeling of loneliness. My Audio guide told me that there were only one succesful case for breakout. Two prisoners are said that they swam and crossed the bay but no one saw them since then.



So our cruise has ended as well as my trip in US. US, the country of freedom, just like this Seagull.
We've really done a lot and saw many faces of the country. I still feel it's my second home country and so does my husband. Our dream to move into this country one day are now not only "dream" but "PLAN"!

Eating at home

During our stay in my parants place, we often went out for lunch but we also cooked a lot at home. I like dining out but mom's (dad's) food is different!




For example this Japanese home style dim-sum is my favorite..



My mom cook this radish for 3 hours. Sauces are soaked in very well and juicyyyyy!!!

Some certain things cook my father, such as eggs, noodles,,, and this one.



Vongole!!





What we have done this day was self - sushi party! San Francisco is great. Almost all the Japanese food including fresh fish are available.





Everyone are free to enjoy your own taste!



We had lots of this cozy home dinner. My husband often drunk too much with my father and crashed into bed.

Japan in US

Hakone Garden, is a Japanese Garden you could find in San Jose. It was beautiful than I thought..



As I got into the garden, I saw tree and stones which are very familiar to me.. It was the atmosphere of my home country.



Japanese garden are beautiful all over the year. Not to mention spring, summer is also very green and winter is white being covered by snow. But autumn is even more special.



It was one of the best season. I like to see some colored tree among green.



My mom.



My dad.



and my husband with my mom:)

There were not so many people in the garden and was very calm. We felt it was all for our family.



Actually, a movie "SAYURI" has been filmed in this garden as well. It's a movie for GEISHA from Hollywood.



We could walk up on the hill following narrow path.



After we conquered the top and waking down the hill, we found closen door.. We opened and,,,, what a surprise! A bamboo forest!!



The path continues through the forest.



Curious Swiss boy enjoying:)



Stteping stones.



Small waterfall. A soft sound of water considerd us very beautiful in Japan.



After our excursion in the garden, my parents were waiting for us beside the pond. It is a Japanese garden in US but I felt indeed HOME here.
Living abroad gives me an objective point of view toward Japan. Of course there are positive and negative faces. But I saw from the garden "the beauty of Japan" and I believe Japanese have really good taste in terms of beauty. I also recognized myself how I feel at home in such a place.
Visiting US, visiting my parents were almost like returning home for me.

Whole day in LA (part 2)

After satisfying lunch at Rodeo Drive, we drove down to check those typical Beverly Hills where celebrities are living!



Giant houses are standing in row along "Rodeo Blv" and "Beverly Blv" as well as tall thin Palm tree.

While I was driving down this street, my fantacy never stops:) Hmmmm, maybe Paris lives in one of them...

Then we decided to move on to Hollywood. I instantly decided the way to take. We passed by the largest shopping center, drove throuth one of the famous shopping road "Merlose Avenue" and then take the street where you see Hollywood sign at certain point.



I wish I had more time. Merlose Avenue is the street where those fashionable LA girls go who get bored in shopping center. You could find more unique, "ONLY ONE" style here. Well, at least I was able to drive through the area.



Even with a little bit of traffice, which is typical in this area, we happily arrived in Hollywood, Man's Chinese Theater!!



Huge feet print of Matt Damon!! Last time I was here, I took photo of Tom Cruise and Richard Gear but it seems that all the prints are changing year by year.
This year, the casts of Ocean's 11 series are in.



All of the sudden came two guys in costume and started talking to me. They kind of forced taking photo with me. I knew they ask for tips!! Anyway, at least I took one funny photo.





Fame of Star.



What???? Godzilla??? Wow, Godzilla Davatz is not only world famous artist but also actor!!



Hollywood Highland. Another one of the majors shopping center. No Apple Store for my husband so he couldn't kill time while I'm shopping.

Then we left Hollywood and moved on to Westwood, UCLA. We took my favorite street, "Sunset Blvd". I really love this street. Shame that weather was no longer good but it would be very nice if the sun is shining.
I really have lots of nice memory in this street. First time in LA, I turned 21 years old during my stay. In US, you need to be older than 21 years old to get into clubs and ID is required. As soon as I got my 21st birthday, I went out with friends. Security guard looked at my ID and laughted that I'm so proud with my age:)

The night face of Sunset Blvd is all about clubbing but the day face is also nice. As we approach to UCLA, the street get narrower and start winding. You really can have a enjoyable ride.



UCLA

We parked our car close to the domitory where I used to stay and took the way how I went to my class every morning.



I felt really nostalgic.
My time in UCLA is one of the most memorable and unforgettable time I had in my life. Until I meet my husband, I wished hundred times how nice it would be if I can return to those days once again. I really had precious time with international friends and during this stay, I gained international point of view. My current personality is created while I was here. One day, when I woke up and went down to cafeteria, all the students were gathering in front of the TV. It was September 11, 2001. It was just happened 3 hours ago in New York. We all cried and hug each others. I think I didn't cry if I was in Japan that time. But since I experience being a part of multi-national students, what happen in the world was not "far" anymore. I took that incident very personaly and was very shocked.
If there is one thing I regret in my life is that I wanted to graduate this university.
But now I'm back here with my husband. Of course I feel nostalgic but I'm happy with my current life and I don't regret anymore. This place remains as my special memory entire of my life.



The day in LA is concluded by the most suitable movie here, "American Gangstar".
We drove to Glove, another romantic shopping center.


The content of the movie is not romantic but the evening was very romantic.

I was very enthusiastic Los Angeles fan. But this time, I was able to analyse why I like the city so much. Trafffic is agressive and some area are of course not the safest place.

But the city has so many faces. The atmosphere of beach resort will change to the casual student village and then all of the sudden high standard celebrity's air. Hollywood has more down town atmosphere but unique mixture of "tourist" and "locals". You see these changes just driving down half an hour, this is amazing. Living in Los Angeles is being involved in many culture, being given many inspiration.