These Boots are made for Hiking: Tokyo Japan

At Tel Aviv Airport Mine is Tashkent

This trip didn't start out too well. Ten minutes before my flight out of Tel Aviv, security decided to go out on strike so our flight was delayed for two hours. Darn, we had to be at the airport three hours before take off and now another two hours delayed. But we were lucky as I believe the security people got their raise and we were approved to take off. My airline was Uzbekistan (trust me I was praying all the way) but its port is Tashkent in Uzbekistan and then I would have a two hour layover and another 7 hour flight to Tokyo. Well, because of the delay, they held the plane and we ran to get on board. But as luck would have it (or Murphy's Law), security decided that I was the one to be padded down and my backpack thoroughly checked through!! All the time, the airline person was gritting his teeth and shaking his head (I don't think he believe that they chose me to do a thorough check and the plane was waiting for us)!! They didn't find anything so off we ran to the airplane. The plane was an air bus and a very nice one. Between the two flights, I think I was fed 4 meals!! From the extreme heat to rainy, cool, damp weather in Japan. It was a relief somewhat but my hostel was only 20 minutes bus ride from the airport but a 20 minute walk. There are so many trains, buses, metro's, it is very easy to get lost. As usual, so many people are friendly and helpful everywhere I go that they go over backwards to help and then they thank you!!!! AWESOME. Japan is absolutely beautiful and it is so clean. They are extremely environmental conscious because they do not have a lot of unused land so everything is reused or recycled. They even recycle paper into toilet paper (the first and only country that does that). It is so great to see how a country is so aware of waste and how they manage it. They really care about their country and it shows. Yesterday I took a train into Tokyo (one hour express train) and I went to the Imperial Palace which occupies the site of the castle Edo-jo, from which it ruled Japan. In its heyday it was the largest castle in the world. But the only parts that remains is the moat and wall, everything was rebuilt after it was destroyed in WWII. The grounds were spectacular. You are not allowed in the palace but the gardens were opened and free to the public. After coming back from Tokyo, I went and got my 3 day pass for Mt. Fuji. So today I started out a 8 am on the express to Subjunki (Blue Line) pass Tokyo and then change train line to the Choi Line (Orange line) and then once I got to Owaski I had to take a local train up to the mountain. No easy task but I kept getting help and finally made it up here at 1 PM. I registered for my hostel and went out to rent hiking poles. I got my gear ready for tomorrow. It may be overcast and a little rain so I will hope for the best. Keep me in your prayers. Here are pictures of Tokyo and the Imperial Palace Gardens: