NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

A group blog featuring an international array of killer mystery, suspense, and romantic suspense writers. With premises and story lines different from your run-of-the-mill whodunits, we tend to write outside the box. We blog several times a week on all topics relating to romantic suspense and mystery, our writing, and our readers. We welcome all comments and often have guest bloggers. All our authors can be contacted separately, too, using their own social media links.

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NOTE: the blog is currently dormant but please enjoy the posts we're keeping online.


Julie Moffet . Cathy Perkins . Jean Harrington . Daryl Anderson . Nico Rosso . Maureen A Miller . Sandy Parks . Lisa Q Mathews . Sharon Calvin . Lynne Connolly . Janis Patterson . Vanessa Keir . Tonya Kappes . Julie Rowe . Joni M Fisher . Leslie Langtry

Monday, November 7, 2016

Japan. A land of contradictions.




Shinjuko--can you see anything different about this photo? Look closer in the background!
I'm in Japan and currently on the road. If all goes to plan, I'm visiting Miyajima today.  I thought I'd share a few photographs and random commentary on our trip so far.

Shinjuko Gardens--just five minutes away from the madness.
Japan is a weird contrast of ancient cultural treasures, and concrete jungle, flashing-light consumerism. It's crowded, and hotel rooms are generally a lot smaller than back in North America. The population of Tokyo is bigger than the total population of Canada. 37-38 million people. There isn't a lot of space, and there isn't a lot of room for error.

My husband taking shots on the subway

Which is probably why their subway system is AMAZING, and their disaster planning management top-notch. However, it's worth noting that the Japanese are thrown when things don't proceed according to plan. Or it could just be my disruptive influence :)

The people are wonderfully polite. They aren't big into hugs. They are big into gifts, and sake, and FISH! Holy Moses are they ever into fish.

The first time I walked through a mall in the morning I felt like a fantasy hero. All the shopkeepers stood at the doors and bowed as we walked through.

I've discovered that clothes here FIT ME! I am no longer "petite" although I'm a bit wide-in-the-hip compared to the locals.

Everything is expensive.


The spiders are bigger than I like. Actually money spiders are the only size I can live with.


Buddhism is important, though the monks aren't always very friendly. Is friendliness a Buddhist principle? Probably not :).


The graveyards are fascinating. In a few days we go to the biggest graveyard in the world. I know--fun times, huh? Thank goodness I can also take the kids to Tokyo Disney for some glitter and sparkle. 

I'm loving out trip and a bit sad we only have less than a month left. It's been so much fun delving into the city of Tokyo and the country at large. Hopefully there's a book in it :)  Wish me luck on the Bullet Train. 

Catch more of my antics here: https://www.facebook.com/toniannanderson











8 comments:

Maureen A. Miller said...

Been having so much fun 'taking this trip with you'. The pictures are wonderful. This should be a reality show. The Andersons Take On Japan!
What a treasured experience.

Anne Marie Becker said...

How fascinating to immerse yourself into a foreign culture for an extended period of time. I'm too much of a homebody to want to do something like that. LOL I'm so glad you're sharing your experiences with us! I get to live vicariously that way. :)

jean harrington said...

Stunning photographs, Toni. Thanks for the trip!

Rita said...

Like Maureen I'm taking the trip with you on facebook. Love all your photos and the fact you are not short there. I want to go too. Have fun and keep sharing.

Elise Warner said...

How delightful, Toni. Thanks for sharing the trip and photos with us.

Marcelle Dubé said...

Fun stuff, Toni! But I admit to some confusion--for some reason, I thought you were over six feet tall!

Toni Anderson said...

Lol, Marcelle, that's Anne-Marie! I'm more Rita-sized 😃

Unknown said...

I too have been enjoying this trip with you, Toni. Amazing photos of an amazing place. What a great experience for you all.

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