Travel in Thailand Day 2

We went to Hua Hin by car. Hua Hin is the oledest beach resort in Thai where royal family frequently visit. On our way to Hua Hin, I saw salt and fish source [nam pla] being sold beside the road.
We dropped by a street store and ate fresh-fried fish cakes. It was so delicious!

After three hours' drive we arrived at Shelaton hotel. It was luxuary and facing the sea with beautiful scenery. We went to town for dinner. At the restaurant, I watched Thai TV drama. It's so interesting because ghost appeared in this drama. I heard Thais believe in exstence of ghost.

After dinner, we went to night market. There were many stalls which sold local foods, CDs, DVDs, T-shirts and souvenir goods. We tried out many local foods.

Travel in Thailand Day 1

My friend lives in Bangkok. So, I visited Thailand from September 25th to 30th.

First day, after we were picked up by her at the airport and put our buggages on her apartment, we went shopping and for dinner at Siam (Bangkok's central area).



We bought some CDs. One of them is really COOL!!!!! I will write another entry about this artist. And then, we had to decent shoes. Because we wanted to go to Bar "Sirocco" which had a hard dress code. I could find very nice and cheap shoes!It's only 500 Bahts (1500 yen or 15 dollars).




We had dinner at Cafe Chilli in Siam Paragon and got dessert at Mango Tango.　Finally, we went to Bar "Sirocco."　Sirocco was excellent!!!　There is on the 63th floor!　We enjoyed a fantastic night views there.　But if you have acrophobia, you shouldn't go there.



http://www.thedomebkk.com/sirocco/sirocco_home.htm
http://www.cafechilli.com/index.htm

Almond jelly

http://kokuban.in/view/1220865830
How amazing!!!!!

Harley & Quin 1st album "TOUCH"

I went to "Harley & Quin" 1st album "TOUCH" Release Party at Shibuya on 20th. It was very fun.
http://www.secobar.jp/2008/06/20080620fri_harley_quin_1st_al.html

"Harley & Quin" (Ha-a-le-ku-in) is an electronic dance music group. Its tracks are very cool and catchy. I especially like "Technoliberation." I think it's one of the most exciting units in Tokyo underground club scene.
http://www.myspace.com/deathoftheharleyandquin

Director Bong Joon-ho

The Bong Joon-ho Page

I saw the korean movies "Gwoemul" (2006) aka The Host (English title) and "Salinui chueok" (2003) aka Memories of Murder (English title) which are blockbusters in South Korea. These are great movies. Director Joon-ho Bong is a South Korean movie director. I think he is one of the most important directors in our ages.

"Memories of Murder " is a crime film and "The Host" is a monster film but these are genre-straddling and reveal the darkness in this world with historical and political backgrounds sharply. There are many metaphors in these movies, especially suggested civic movements like Gwangju Democratization Movement indirectly.

But they aren't too serious, even humorous in some situations. They leave us the lasting impression. I don't know why but I don't feel gloomy, though they don't have happy endings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwangju_Massacre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Host_(film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memories_of_Murder

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince

I'm addicting a Korean drama "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince." I heard it was aired and popular in many countries, including Japan, Taiwan, China and United States.
http://www.coffee-prince.com/
http://english.tour2korea.com/02Culture/TVMiniseries/CoffeePrince.asp

The story goes like this. A manager tries to renovate a old coffee shop by hiring good looking male employees to attract female customers. A heroine gets a job at this shop "Coffee Prince" by hiding she is a girl in finacial need. After that, they fall in love but he doesn't know she is a girl. He feels confused.

It's similar to 80s or 90s romantic comedy in style but its main theme is modern and its rendition is very cool. I think Japanese recent dramas are very complicated and elaborate. I can enjoy them but this Korean drama attracts me for its simplicity and emotional approach.

Anyway, its heroine, Yoon Eun Hye is so cute!!! I want to see "Princess Hours" also known as "Goong" which is her first starring role drama.

Dudamel and The Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela

Wow! It's fantastic and exciting! I loved it.
Gustavo Dudamel is a young Venezuelan conductor. He has real talent.

The Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela was established in 1975 to educate the poor children. It seems to be successful.

Dudamel and SBYOV are scheduled to make their first tour of Japan in December. I'm looking forward to seeing their performance.

TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM Special Exhibition National Treasures from Yakushi-ji Temple

TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM Special Exhibition National Treasures from Yakushi-ji Temple

I went to Tokyo National Museum.　It is holding a special exhibition "National Treasures from Yakushi-ji Temple." The exhibition features the bronze sculptures of the deities Nikko Bosatsu (Suryaprabha) and Gakko Bosatsu (Candraprabha) from the Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara. I was very impressed because I could view all sides of these two statues. After that, I had a fun time walking around the museum garden and viewing cherry blossoms.

Banana Vinegar

I made Banana Vinegar. I heard that it’s effective against a pollen allergy. I have terrible hay fever this time of the year. I hate this season! I don’t know if I can get a good result but I have to try it out anyway. I wish I could have a refreshing spring next year.

Recipe for Banana Vinegar
Ingredients: 2 cups black rice vinegar, 1 cup brown sugar, 3 ripe bananas

Directions:
1. Cut bananas into round slices.
2. Pour black rice vinegar into a clean jar and add bananas and brown sugar into it.
3. Microwave it without the cover in 1 minute.
4. After 1 week, pick up bananas (you can eat it) and store the jar in refrigerator.

To use it as a beverage, allow 2 tablespoons per 1 cup water, milk or yogurt. Please try out it!

Sulky modern youths return | The Japan Times Online

Sulky modern youths return | The Japan Times Online

Yesterday, I went to see a new Chelfitsch play "Free Time"at Super Deluxe in Roppongi. It was so calm but very stimulating. Mr. Okada who is founder of this company seemed to trim and condense his play more than before.

They will tour in Singapore, Europe and United States in the next several months. Don't miss it!
http://chelfitsch.net/en/next_performance/

Book Review Blog

Book Review Blog

I'm taking part in the project "Book Review Blog" which introduces Japanese famous bloggers' book reviews in English. I translate their articles into English. I'd be glad if you enjoy it. Please try to access it.

Lexington | Obamaworld versus Hillaryland | Economist.com

Lexington | Obamaworld versus Hillaryland | Economist.com

This Article says "Wine-track" Democrats support Obama and "Beer-track" Democrats support Clinton. Mr. Obama's supporters are young and liberal elite. Ms. Clinton's supporters are old and white working-class people. This battle is so bitter because it is a battle over culture.

I think Japan is not class society currently, though there is the rich and the poor. But if the gap between rich and poor is widened anymore and fixed, Japan would become class society someday. It's a possiblity but I hope not. Because the huge gap brings conflicts and feelings of hate.

In strictly-classified society, the lower class and the upper class aren't mixed absolutely, even don't meet each other. I feel something is wrong when I see such situation in other countries.

Introduction

Hello, everyone. I'm mft. I live in Tokyo.