Freitag, 28. März 2008

Shopping and Broadway

sounds very tempting for girls, isn't it? After tough full schedule on the day before, I had such an idealistic day!

Last day in London

TOPSHOP, it's really a dream for all those fashion freak!!

Last day in London

I was swallowed into this shop..

Last day in London

and gone crazy.

You can get everthing here, bags, accesories, skirfs, shoes, bikinis... EVERYTHING!!

Last day in London

It reminds me of my great shopping experience in Tokyo at "Shibuya 109". This is one of the most popular shopping place for Shibuya girls where the whole 7 stories building is only for girls stuff! I loved it!! But TOPSHOP is even better since none of staff here come over to you and try to sell something. In 109, staff can be quite annoying. They always try to sell you more. In TOPSHOP, the people are helpful only when you ask you something, otherwise they let you shop alone.

Last day in London

and qualities are much better!!

London 1st day

My husband became also crazy at "TOPMAN". His shopping is always quite fast while he simply take off his sweater and try t-shirts on without going changing room!

London 1st day

Who is that?? A TOPMAN model:))

In TOPSHOP, there is also a nice cafe.

Last day in London

Girls can have a break after hard core shopping war..

Last day in London

But maybe cafe is more used for men.. who has to wait for girls shopping in the store:)

Last day in London

My husband also ended up like this:)

In US, I had to wait a lot while he is shopping in Apple store but this time he had to wait for me. Poor my man.. I don't know how much time and money I spent in this store..

Lonon 2nd day

Every time after visiting TOPSHOP, we came out with full of bags. This is bags only from 1 day and we've done it 3 times!!

Lonon 2nd day

We went to see Broadway, Le Miserables with full of Topshop bags..

Lonon 2nd day

It was very nice stage, very touching and impressive. But I still like "Phamtom of the Opera" better. I should have read about stories better in advance.

After enjoying Broadway, we went out for dinner with our new clothes on from TOPSHOP. My husband bought sexy shirts and jacket so I'm telling him not to where it for night out without me! Too dangerous!

London,, super city!!

Sonntag, 23. März 2008

1st day in London- full tour in one day-

We really did full power from the 1st day in London. Over the Easter, we decided to enjoy holiday in London, where I've never been before. Swiss and Japanese couple hardly do last minutes. We have planned this trip since October.

London is 1 hour behind so we woke up before 7. Quickly had breakfast at the hotel and kicked off to the city.

First check point is "the tower of London".

London 1st day

It was my request, who studied world history. The tower has been standing here more the 1000 years and has seen everything happened in London. It also has uncountable bloody events. They were always due to the conflict of religion or layal hearitage.

London 1st day

It's so amazing that such a huge architecture made in 1000 years before. When I stand in front of the tower, I have to imagine old ages and also people who related to.

London 1st day

Tower bridge is right in front of the London Tower. When the huge ship goes by, it will open the gate. I like goldengate bridge in San Francisco much better but it is a funny bridge.

By the way, our hotel is locating Liverpool station. We walked all the way down to Tower bridge and then conitnued to St. Paul's Cathedral.

London 1st day

Since it was Good Friday, sightseeing was not allowed inside. I have been told to put away Japanese guide. Anyway we went it and been amazed by beautiful painting on the ceiling and on the wall.

London 1st day

The photo from it's entrance. London is really a huge city but this corner remains nice old European city.

Then we continued to Millennium bridge. After old Cathedral, my husband wanted to see modern one.

London 1st day

What I have realized in London is that, city is constructed by both old and modern architecture and they a collaborating so well.

London 1st day



You'll find one of the most modern designed building in the world but in behind, there is a chuch standing their many centuries!

London 1st day

Millennium bridge was a project of 2000 but from here, you can see cathedral and london tower.. What a contrast.

We went even further by foot. We wanted to go British museum but unfortunately it was closed. So we walked down Oxford street torward Oxford Circle.. One of the most important thing I had to do in London was visiting TOPSHOP!!

London 1st day

My husband went a little bit crazy, I went very very crazy. I don't know how many hours I spent here. Kate Moss, bravo!!!

After big shopping, we walked down Regency Street and had nice tea at Fortnum Mason, one of the best tea in England.

I bought lots of souvenir as well.

London 1st day

London 1st day

We had just small bite here but all the food looked very good. Next time I want ot real lunch here.

So,,, our tour even continue further!!

We walked down...

London 1st day

We walked by Trafaiger Square..

London 1st day

St. James Park...

London 1st day

and reach Big Ben!! One of the most well known symbol in England. Lucily the sky has cleared up and I could take great photo with red bus.

London 1st day

Of course we checked out Westminister Abbey in neighbor. Unfortunately couldn't get it though.

So our 1 st day went on. From here, we took cab back to our hotel in Liverpool. Took a bath and prepared for a dinner.

Yes we did all the major "tourist things". Thouse who are confident with toughness, could be our route is a good schedule for London tour.

Sonntag, 9. März 2008

Wedding of two men

Yesterday was a wedding of good friend of mine who I got to know in German school in here Zürich. It was "intensive course" which takes full afternoon. He was the only "man" in our class. I learned that he has "boy friend" in simple conversation.. In German "Freund" is boyfriend and "Freundin" is girlfriend. We were talking about partners and he put strength "mein Freund" (my boyfriend). It was very natural the way he said.

Actually, there were lots of people like him in my previous job. So I didn't surprised. But I DO surprised when he told me that he is planning to marry. I didn't know there 's such a law exist.

I was so curious how it will be.

They kindly invited me and Zeno. We once had brunch all together at there place, which was again AMAZING!! Their brunch set was perfect like that of 5 star hotel. There home was also like a model room, all perfectly coordinated.

Hochzeit von John und Ralf

Many guests were already there, where the ceremony will be taken place.

In Switzerland, you invite lots of friends and family even for a legal marriage ceremony. (just to sign on the contract)

Hochzeit von John und Ralf

and here comes the TWO. My friend looks a little bit nurvous!?

They wear COOL COOL:)

As they arrived, they greeted around every guests.

Hochzeit von John und Ralf

and then we went into the official room. When I got married, I didn't know how the procedure is like so I got really nurvous been surronded by all the friends of Zeno in the room! Being observed by everybody, the ceremony starts.

Hochzeit von John und Ralf

My friend is American and his partner is German. Ceremony has proceeded both in German and in English.

It was so interesting how the sentences been read. The word "marriage" was not used but "having contract" has been used. Zeno thought it's more romantic:)

Hochzeit von John und Ralf

A partner of my friend strongly said "ja ich möchte!" (yes I would like to) but my friend was being shy!? He said "ah.. Yeah". That was cute, everybody had to laugh. Then they singed on the contract.

Hochzeit von John und Ralf

after having 14 years relationship, finally they are officially "together".

Hochzeit von John und Ralf

after the ceremony, we moved on to standing party. It was nicely organized at the restaurant nearby. Besides the difference of the words being used, otherwise nothing different from normal wedding. We congratulated these two and then enjoyed chatting with other guests. Zeno and I gave a flower as a gift. I remember that they had huge flower in their living room. My friend, he told me how he likes our present. In such a point, I feel that he had girl's way of thinking. I was very happy to be appreciated.

They can get married but I believe there are some other difficulities that they have to face. My friend told be that not all of his family are happy about his desicion. But I really think that the most important is that the couple are happy and satisfied. It was unique wedding buy basically nothing special. To celebrate two lovers becoming married is just like other wedding.
It was really my pleasure to be that place and able to celebrate! *The couple has approved of this writing.