Abbey Kids

I've been swamped lately, not so much with things to do and accomplish (well, that too!), but mostly because the kids moved school just two weeks ago. It was a monkey-wrench in our otherwise peaceful existence, moving in the middle of the schoolyear--but the opportunity couldn't be passed up. The girls are more than fine--they are very excited. They miss their friends, but kids adapt to change easily. I'm the one going through major thought-adjustments, realizations and learnings. 

I snapped this shot above of the girls and some of their friends after the school's Family Day on a Saturday. They went to their school for the last time on Monday. On Wednesday they were at their new school!

When I took the picture, I didn't realize that Abbey Road was the last album the Beatles recorded together. It went on to become one of the most popular albums of all time.

I'm taking this as a good sign.

Maisen Tonkatsu in Omotesando

 

This was actually the reason we went to Omotesando. It was so cold outside that I had spent most of the morning, cozy in my hotel room, "Whatsapping" with friends in Manila. They were telling me what to do, where to go, what to see, what to buy...

Before I knew it, it was 2 pm and B was back from his meetings. I'm not much of a shopper (specially in Tokyo where everything is so expensive) so I was content to stay indoors. I can hear it already.."whaat? you wasted a day in Tokyo in the hotel room?!"

But now I was hungry and I also wanted to go to Kiddyland. I don't know why I even wanted to go to Kiddyland. It's a building full of Japanese character toys and stationery sets which my girls are not even fond of. I do have very good memories of this place because mom used to leave us to browse for a whole afternoon. In the end, we would go home with new pencil boxes, pencils, erasers and stickers. My kids don't get thrilled with cute pencils, erasers and stickers the way I used to but I still wanted to look for small things for them.

Here I was in one of the nicest shopping streets in all of Tokyo, and all I  wanted to do was go to Kiddyland and to eat at Maisen, the tonkatsu place. I don't think B realizes how lucky he is!

We walked the small streets behind Omotesando and found signs to Maisen. It was almost 4 pm by this time, and the place had a few diners also having a late lunch--or maybe an early dinner. The first time we came here was more than ten years ago, during lunchtime, and the place was packed.  My friend Christine, who was living in Tokyo at that time, introduced us to this place.

"In Tokyo, when you want to eat sushi, you go to a sushi place. When you want tempura, you go to a tempura place. The good restaurants specialize in only one thing," she told us. For tonkatsu, we had to go to a tonkatsu house, and Maisen is one of her favorites. I wondered what the big deal was since I'm not a fan of deep fried breaded pork. But after having a proper tonkatsu the Maisen way, I changed my mind.  Over the years I've recommended it to other friends.

They handed us the Japanese menus and  everything looked the same so we asked the server her recommendation. She pointed out Tonkatsu Rosu and another one. The difference? One had more fat than the other. I ordered the lean one since I don't like pork fat anyway.

It's served with a specially-made tonkatsu sauce. While most people douse their whole cutlet with the sauce, I like to dip my tonkatsu right before I bite into it. This way, the breading remains crisp and light as it touches my tongue.

The order comes with all-you-can-eat shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup and come pickles. I ate slowly, savoring each bite. Tonkatsu is not exactly a "wise food choice" (when it comes to the maintenance stage of my diet), but at least it's a very high quality "unwise food choice."

I liked this red bag--and discovered it was made with the same leather they use for baseball gloves, and made in the Philippines!

After Linner (That's what my niece, Regina, calls a meal at 4 pm), B had another meeting to attend so he headed back to the train station while I walked off the meal browsing the little shops around Shibuya. I also walked down Omotesando going in and out of shops. I took my time walking around that by the time I got to Kiddyland at 9 pm, it had closed. Hmm...too bad, but there is still tomorrow.

 And this is considered a "short" queue

I also chanced on a restaurant called Eggs n Things, which looked very popular with the locals. I checked what the fuss was all about and was surprised to see a menuboard featuring American-style breakfasts! They a lining up in the rain for this stuff? A little googling revealed that this restaurant is originally from Honolulu and as popular there as it is here. But when the Japanese like something, they can be really obsessive, so the lines and waiting times are even longer here. Between unwise food choices of waffles or eggs and tonkatsu? I would happily fall in line for tonkatsu.


I wasn't about to spoil the memory of a delicious Linner by having a late dinner, so I grabbed myself a yogurt from a convenience store and headed back to the hotel. Considering I'm always running around from one place to another in Manila, this was one lazy but luxurious way to spend a day in Tokyo. 

Ladies' Room in Omotesando

I walked into the ladies' room on the 4th floor of Tokyu Plaza in  Omotesando and was pleasantly surprised to find a creative vanity area. The toilets were basic--if you count those high tech bidet toilets of Japan "basic"--so I didn't take any pictures there.

But the molding of the doorway from the vanity to the toilet area was interesting also. Too bad I didn't have my camera (only my phone) and couldn't take nice detailed closeups.

I love how they used these mirrors. Right away it gave me ideas for powder rooms.

They are nicely backlit, and even if you try, you can't see the bulb at the back.

The vanity walls are covered in gold paint, and some parts are peeling. I don't know if it's supposed to have that effect, but it I also liked it. The only other lighting come from rimless pinlights on the ceiling.

This rotating disco ball is what you see as you enter the ladies' room.  Maybe I should put a disco ball in the girls' bathroom. That will be a fun touch! What do you think C?

Christmas Lights in Roppongi, Tokyo

We walked through this beautifully lit street in Roppongi on our way to dinner. It's was a very, very cold and windy walk.

But look how beautiful it is. There are blue lights mixed in with the white lights.

In Roppongi Hills, there is this giant egg made of firefly lights too. People just walked through it and took pictures. There's nothing inside--it's just a walkway.

Here's the famous giant spider scultpure of Roppongi Hills.

I hope it's a bit warmer tomorrow. I didn't bring the right clothes for walking around. Maybe I should just stay indoors and shop.

The Iconic Golden Gate Bridge

We missed our exit on the way to the Exploratorium and found ourselves headed straight towards the Golden Gate bridge. My initial reaction was: what a hassle, now we have to go all the way to the other side to turn back! Then I quickly realized this was the first time the girls were seeing the bridge.

Why I didn't even think of showing them the bridge, I have no idea. We were staying with friends in Palo Alto, and our activities were centered around that area. In the week we were in the Bay Area, we only drove into the city this once, and it was to go to the Exploratorium.

"Look Geormel (that's our term of endearment for both of them at the same time), this is the very famous Golden Gate Bridge!" Actually, we missed the 75th anniversary of the bridge by a couple of days--not that I would've trekked to the city, braved the traffic, and celebrated with ten million people. I was a bit relieved we missed it because B is the celebratory type of guy and he would've insisted we trek, we brave and we celebrate (while I'm just a cornball who would prefer to watch it on tv).

B told the girls why the bridge was so iconic: it was once the longest suspension bridge in the world, explained how it was constructed and why it is painted orange, and other fun tourist stuff.

For me, the drive towards the bridge through Pacific Heights was just as interesting. I liked seeing the architecture of the homes and how nicely they are preserved.

'These are not apartment buildings, these are single-family homes. Look at the beautiful facades!" Of course the next question was, "Can we go inside the houses?"  I wish we could!

"And look girls, that's the San Francisco Bay!" 

Unfortunately I didn't take my own photo of the much-photographed Victorian homes. This photo below is from here.

I only managed to take these...

Here we are now driving across the famous landmark of San Francisco. Memories of Sausalito came to mind. It would've been nice to drive straight to Marin county and onwards, but the kids were hyped, expecting a day at the Exploratorium. So many things to do...so little time...

On the other side, we just parked the car and took the usual touristy photos.

 

Look at this clown...

Time to turn around and head back towards that Exploratorium. The detour was definitely worth the $6 toll back to the city.

Imagine, the girls would've gone to San Francisco and not seen the Golden Gate Bridge?!  Sacre bleu! We didn't mention the cable cars anymore. Maybe next time.

Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, Ca

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

The Palace of Fine Arts is a peaceful retreat right in the Marina district of the city. Contrary to its name, it isn't a palace, nor does it have any "fine art" anywhere near it.

It was originally built in 1915 for some exposition that San Francisco hosted, and then the city decided to keep and maintain it.  I remember walking around here as a college student. I know the Palace of Fine Arts Theater is here too, but I didn't realize the Exploratorium was also located here!

Since we had the kids with us, our destination for the day was the Exploratorium.  It was only when we walked out that I realized that the Palace of Fine Arts was next to it.  B looked at me strangely, as if it was something I should've known. Like him, I lived in the Bay Area for a few years too--but I don't seem to remember as many details as he does.

Even if the sun was out, it was a cold and windy day, typical of beautiful San Francisco.

The kids explored and climbed what they could.

And when they came down, G saw a sign that had fallen and was partly hidden in the plants.

"Mommy! Look what it says!"   Oops! Too late!

If you visit the Exploratorium, spend some time outdoors here. And if you are coming here for a quiet stroll, go visit the Exploratorium and spend the whole day there. There's so much to see and do. Just make sure your kids don't climb the monuments.

Note: The Exploratorium is moving to Piers 15/17 in the Spring  of 2013.



Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
415-563-6504, 415-561-0364

Madrid Barajas Airport

The airport in Madrid is stunning. The very modern design is warm and inviting mainly because of all those wooden slats undulating overhead.

This high-tech light contraption on the ceiling looks like it's filtering in natural light, while underneath, artificial light is being bounced off some kind of reflector. Lighting has a big effect on people, whether they recognize it or not, and natural light always has a "feel good" effect. Looks like the Barajas airport design has found a perfect combination of warm and cool light.

There's lots going on in terms of design, but it's still sleek and neat. I think I'm particularly attracted to the design too because my favorite color is yellow.

Here is the design concept of the Madrid Barajas Airport.

 

I saw this "Passenger Rights" sign in the check-in area. I've been bumped off a couple of times in the past and have always been (generously) compensated. Not everyone is aware of their rights though. I think all airports should have this sign. Good for you Madrid Barajas Airport!

 

I get very excited when I see beautifully designed airports. The unfortunate  thing is that instead of just enjoying the good design for what it is, I automatically think of what we have back home and then feel sad. I hope to be able to post on the Manila airport one day. But while I have the tagline "Where I go, What I like", it looks like it's going to be a long way off.