tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77941237909494747192024-02-20T14:57:56.773+09:00Rubens Mau's blogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-72722395928189630132013-05-09T19:51:00.000+09:002013-05-10T11:03:34.378+09:00Trip to China - April 2013Click on the links below to access the different albums<br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k_Qq8cDrVk0/UYsFpe5MdqE/AAAAAAAAV9c/xXYbpXtU8io/w203-h138-p/ChinaBeijingZoo" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875796349060675233?authkey=CIHBms7Tnb_0Cw" target="_blank">Beijing Zoo</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-__bmGA8SHRU/UYsDzNNt1oE/AAAAAAAAVgs/YSbmvBPfvBQ/w200-h136-p/ChinaBeijingTiananmenSquare" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875794317090346625?authkey=CIesuPKUg9DMvQE" target="_blank">Beijing Tiananmen Square</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UT38_9wqPLU/UYsPXa9ltZE/AAAAAAAAVnc/iScmSOT1MKc/w200-h136-p/ChinaBeijingLamaTemple" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875807033883997585?authkey=CISblIHxl-fnmgE" target="_blank">Lama Temple</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s8hff0McIqc/UYsCfESWEXE/AAAAAAAAVd0/LVQNW_EQKrQ/w200-h136-p/ChinaBeijingTempleOfHeaven" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875792871584829809?authkey=CIG51YH0tveO0wE" target="_blank">Beijing - Temple of Heaven</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJFdjmk7-0Q/UYr32XlURjE/AAAAAAAAVck/iMac4QEPq-U/w200-h136-p/ChinaBeijingSummerPalace" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875781177273763377?authkey=COnE84esjPjN2QE" target="_blank">Beijing Summer Palace</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gzOsKXDihhw/UYoWx4G6cdE/AAAAAAAAVUM/Oo_kPDq8ML4/w200-h136-p/ChinaMingDinastyTumbs" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875533709989016017?authkey=CMaMmuD1z8GMbw" target="_blank">Ming Dinasty Tumbs</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CxcutcqjLc8/UYoK7aM45NE/AAAAAAAAVQ4/NfamCWDadQA/w200-h136-p/ChinaGreatWall" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875520679620175057?authkey=CKbJ_Ibwpo2JogE" target="_blank">Great Wall</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tF9rEobXKFg/UYoI14n53pE/AAAAAAAAVRE/R2hoVd98CVw/w200-h136-p/ChinaBeijingForbiddenCity" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875518385684078225?authkey=CPK-mp3YxoWkmgE" target="_blank">Beijing Forbidden City</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_aaUFJLsAes/UYsWuVC1yDE/AAAAAAAAVqM/_F64qdvVQzY/w200-h136-p/ChinaBeijingBuildings" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875815124013795377?authkey=CKCc9u-mt_DyIQ" target="_blank">Beijing Buildings</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rSOUVrI-UV8/UYsgqdiTcxE/AAAAAAAAVxM/WIQjR-i9-iw/w200-h136-p/ChinaPingyao" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875826052690047761?authkey=CLLqz-He7vCPGQ" target="_blank">Pingyao</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-559oGvypU_E/UYtQ033iH-E/AAAAAAAAV0I/naOQUp2ODbk/w200-h136-p/ChinaXiangTerracotaArmy" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875879008115236833?authkey=CP6Qp5jIgJ_9BQ" target="_blank">Xian Terracota Army</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vuK9dGZOxkU/UYtmJC_MqPE/AAAAAAAAV28/P5ztA827LhQ/w200-h136-p/ChinaXian" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875902444441741553?authkey=CPqowqqyq4HvnAE" target="_blank">Xian</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jAk_d9L4eSs/UYtw245CliE/AAAAAAAAV88/oLOgjBfQBbI/w200-h136-p/ChinaShangai" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5875914227121821217?authkey=CK-Ij9-3tKfDGA" target="_blank">Shangai</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbKZmmhUSTc" target="_blank">Chinese Choir in Summer Palace - video</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EBVfIeDHvaA/UYxFl_eKVKE/AAAAAAAAWJs/_CEzmbeQGZw/w200-h136-p/ChinaRoofs" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5876148132807070881" target="_blank">Roofs</a><br />
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<img alt="Photo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WAHhnwEmRl8/UYxPOGA3SsE/AAAAAAAAWOc/IMVURL46FNA/w200-h136-p/Food" /><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113492229370807682738/albums/5876158717362653889?authkey=CJrB9cfu_OCl6QE" target="_blank">Food</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-56110151945917452992013-02-03T18:22:00.000+09:002013-02-03T18:38:09.654+09:00Setsubun - Bean Throwing Festival<br />
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Today, Setsubun is the day that marks the beginning of spring in Japan. It is not really spring, and it is still cold - but this is the tradition. People go to temples all over the country were some priests and invited guests throw roasted soy beans into the crowd. The fun is to try to catch these beans before your neighbours - but in a civilized manner - these are Japanese people. A 10-year-old boy succeeded to catch a Ziploc beans bag just between my legs, and as a very controlled oriental man, I succeeded to refrain myself from throwing him away with the beans....<br />
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As I explained to some English women besides me, this is done to drive away the evil spirits that bring bad luck to one's life. Many superstitions, like having a statue of a kind of raccoon with big testicles and holding a sake bottle to bring good fortune, or the unluckiness of the number "four" are still very common here.<br />
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Nevertheless, today was a beautiful sunny winter day and we all enjoyed very much the event - although, I missed some background music and "batucada".<br />
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After the festival we visited Kappabashi Street where you can find cookware for your house or restaurant. But, the real attraction for tourists are the shops that sell realistic food models such as sushi, bowls of ramen and yakitori.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-75482219620171035932013-01-21T15:38:00.000+09:002013-01-21T15:51:47.757+09:00Biking around the Imperial Palace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My beloved bike has finally arrived in Japan! I have spent so many good moments with "her" that Noemi calls her my lover. She makes many noises while riding it, she is not new or fancy - but I was really missing it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vq5T-_g82Lg/UPzIC8gkUXI/AAAAAAAAQZo/-w5eZhl47Lc/s1600/P1210912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vq5T-_g82Lg/UPzIC8gkUXI/AAAAAAAAQZo/-w5eZhl47Lc/s640/P1210912.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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For my first trip, I decided to ride around the Imperial Palace. I have understood that you can at least visit the gardens, but all the gates were closed today - need to check this later.<br />
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Today is a beautiful day - sunny, 5° C and not windy - perfect for a ride. The route was only 10 km, but it was a wonderful beginning.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njmGkYu1p6o/UPzVd-v9T1I/AAAAAAAAQdU/VmdDqtqcQ8Q/s1600/Bike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njmGkYu1p6o/UPzVd-v9T1I/AAAAAAAAQdU/VmdDqtqcQ8Q/s320/Bike1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can track my route clicking here <a href="http://www.everytrail.com/fullscreen.php?trip_id=1988577">in this link</a>, You will be able to follow the route and see the pictures at their precise place they were taken.<br />
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South of the Imperial Palace Park, you can find some of Tokyo's landmarks:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">The National Diet of Japan ( Parliament )</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IeUzsXzPJYM/UPzPRtEjMkI/AAAAAAAAQcc/CNJ9Y1-bB04/s1600/P1210938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IeUzsXzPJYM/UPzPRtEjMkI/AAAAAAAAQcc/CNJ9Y1-bB04/s640/P1210938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Prime Minister Official Residence ( reminds me the Israeli Knesset )</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/National_Theater_Tokyo01bs3200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/National_Theater_Tokyo01bs3200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">National Theatre ( photo from Wikipedia)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kimonobox.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/3569040735_a9652202e9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://kimonobox.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/3569040735_a9652202e9_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Supreme Court ( photo by Caspar Borkowsky)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ag3KqIwESZc/UPzPH9GxbFI/AAAAAAAAQbc/XZN9khvCF0w/s1600/P1210925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ag3KqIwESZc/UPzPH9GxbFI/AAAAAAAAQbc/XZN9khvCF0w/s640/P1210925.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">View of the Marunouchi building complex close to Tokyo Railway Station</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">View of the Marunouchi building complex close to Tokyo Railway Station</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeZTxwitd3A/UPzO8Cf7nuI/AAAAAAAAQaI/jkz3CvSjAlo/s1600/P1210909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeZTxwitd3A/UPzO8Cf7nuI/AAAAAAAAQaI/jkz3CvSjAlo/s640/P1210909.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone walls and ditch around the Imperial Palace</td></tr>
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You can access the complete album by clicking on the photo below:</div>
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<tr><td align="center" style="background: url(https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left; height: 194px;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/113492229370807682738/BikingAroundTheImperialPalace?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMPvkIPc0saOoAE&feat=embedwebsite"><img height="160" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cz-uAw8y6-A/UPzO51L0K_E/AAAAAAAAQdk/rL7o0lrddaY/s160-c/BikingAroundTheImperialPalace.jpg" style="margin: 1px 0 0 4px;" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/113492229370807682738/BikingAroundTheImperialPalace?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMPvkIPc0saOoAE&feat=embedwebsite" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Biking around the Imperial Palace</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-56075493489223926142013-01-17T19:06:00.002+09:002013-01-17T19:06:52.293+09:00Japanese Sanitary Vases<br />
The subject of today's post is the Sanitary Vase, or in Portuguese "privada".<br />
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In our apart-hotel room the sanitary vase is separated from the shower or the hand basin and toilet cabinets.This dedicated space is very common in Europe, North America and also in Japan - but not at all in Brazil. Having "some" spare time and decided to enlighten my readers, I searched the Internet for an answer with no success. Only found some hotel reviews in Brazil where some people complained about this segregation. Can someone solve this mystery by adding answers in the "Comments" link at the bottom of this post page?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4F-LIfWZDGA/UPe97QM57RI/AAAAAAAAQQo/0N9ZjQ7zROI/s1600/P1170837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4F-LIfWZDGA/UPe97QM57RI/AAAAAAAAQQo/0N9ZjQ7zROI/s320/P1170837.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Waiting for some answers,let's return in the meantime to my Japanese sanitary vase -take a look at it! Do you notice any difference from the one you have at your place?<br />
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There are two electronic boxes close to it for commanding this sophisticated equipment.<br />
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You find this box hanging on the wall allowing you to:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu2aw_liRDs/UPe1aZcZmaI/AAAAAAAAQQY/8tAsnvsARXw/s1600/photo%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu2aw_liRDs/UPe1aZcZmaI/AAAAAAAAQQY/8tAsnvsARXw/s320/photo%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu2aw_liRDs/UPe1aZcZmaI/AAAAAAAAQQY/8tAsnvsARXw/s1600/photo%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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- Turn On this "functionality". If you are a true Latin macho you can refrain yourself from using this Japanese piece of technology.</div>
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- Water Jet: The big blue painted buttons allow you to program the water jet operation. You can select between a concentrated or soft ( funny word....) water jet directed to your buttocks (well, not exactly the buttocks, but.... )</div>
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- Bidet: Women can enable this additional feature</div>
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- Arrow buttons: You can adjust the water pressure,and the position of the water jet </div>
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using these buttons.</div>
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- Jet Move: You can make the jet move back and forth automatically around your rear.</div>
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- Massage: This is the strangest function - you can make the shower spray alternatively stronger and weaker water jets! Usually the biggest "shock" or "surprise" (depends in your past experience with colonoscopy or other similar recurrent acts ) is at the beginning of the jet stream. By selecting this option you can multiply this pleasure multiple times.</div>
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- Air: After completing the water phase, you can have a hot air stream flowing pleasantly at your bottom. Unfortunately, this model does not come with an oscillating air jet. However, using this functionality reminded me of the air jet equipments that are now installed in public toilets for replacing paper towels - at the end you need to dry your hands in your trousers ( just kidding....).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6OUO03iE0o/UPfJfxXCCGI/AAAAAAAAQRQ/bQwdq9cOIW8/s1600/P1170832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6OUO03iE0o/UPfJfxXCCGI/AAAAAAAAQRQ/bQwdq9cOIW8/s320/P1170832.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The other control box allows you to: </div>
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- Set the temperature of the water</div>
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- Set the temperature of the seat </div>
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- Set the temperature of the air</div>
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- Enable the deodorant - I did not find any difference in the room smell after a good dump (sorry about it.....)</div>
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Hope that you will enjoy reading this text as much as I had while testing it. :-)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-30237695140945607592013-01-15T19:15:00.000+09:002013-01-15T20:06:46.023+09:00Coming of Age holiday in TokyoLast Monday was a national holiday in Japan celebrating the Coming of Age when all those who have reached 20 years old are congratulated for getting to the age of majority ( i.e. late "bar-mitzva"). The young women use long sleeves kimonos and men prefer a western suit gathering in groups commemorating this special event.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-130114-snow-tokyo-ps1.photoblog900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-130114-snow-tokyo-ps1.photoblog900.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>This event happens every year on the second Monday in January since 714 A.D., but this time it happened under a strong snow storm that disrupted completely the traffic and most of the parties in Tokyo and the rest of Japan.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;">(by Yuya Shino / Reuters)</span><br />
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Hoping to see these specially dressed young people we went to Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, that is one of the most popular Buddhist temples in Tokyo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATpiPNNe4aQ/UPUjSylw8SI/AAAAAAAAQJQ/d6gLF2nLDPU/s1600/P1140807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATpiPNNe4aQ/UPUjSylw8SI/AAAAAAAAQJQ/d6gLF2nLDPU/s400/P1140807.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After getting soaked taking these pictures and completely frozen, we ran to the first restaurant to get a hot tea. At the doorstep, some Filipino tourists urged us to taste the "melon bread" that was indeed fluffy, sweet and delicious.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click on the picture at the bottom to access all the photos from this album. Select the first picture and then click on the "Full Screen" button to better enjoy these "amazing" pictures</span>.<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/113492229370807682738/ComingOfAgeInTokyoAsakusaKannonTemple?authkey=Gv1sRgCPWSpOv4tIWT8gE" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GPjPL-kBgD8/UPT7mKEM7sE/AAAAAAAAQJI/UpJWNqZ82vw/s160-c/ComingOfAgeInTokyo.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-6999288552368862622013-01-14T10:43:00.001+09:002013-01-14T10:43:49.297+09:00How Japanese kids learn to multiply in primary school<br />
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This is why the Japanese are better at math. Once you figure this out it'll blow your mind...<br />
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The lines and numbers above may not make any sense at first, but according to William C. at Themetapicture.com: "The lines over the circles are color coded. notice the single red line and 3 blue lines representing "13" group together while the single green and 2 black lines take their own group. [Simply] draw your first group of lines in one direction then your second group of lines going over the first, count the groups of intersections and there's your answer." ( by Mad Ryan @ Facebook )<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=405349766210306&set=a.117764184968867.22027.100002058582358&type=1&theater" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=405349766210306&set=a.117764184968867.22027.100002058582358&type=1&theater</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-54909180761849387972013-01-13T00:20:00.000+09:002013-01-13T23:07:13.876+09:00<h2>
How to locate an address in Japan?</h2>
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One of my first problems that I have encountered in Japan is how to locate an address. In most western countries, if not in all of them, this is not a big challenge. However, in Japan this is a serious issue due to the fact that <b style="text-decoration: underline;">many, or most, of the streets don't have a name.</b> Yes, this is crazy, but true.</div>
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So how does it work? Let's take this sign that I have found in a house around here:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpppCb-dn9Q/UPK5LKhupbI/AAAAAAAAQFk/61EsonkfKIg/s1600/akasaka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpppCb-dn9Q/UPK5LKhupbI/AAAAAAAAQFk/61EsonkfKIg/s320/akasaka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The first 2 Kanji ideograms from the first line represent the word "Akasaka". </div>
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In the second line, from left to right, the first character is a number in Kanji ( <span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">二</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span> that equals to "2". These 3 Kanji characteres together (赤坂 <span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">二)</span> identify a city district<br />
( "丁目") - in this case "Akasaka 2 that is part of the Minato ward or municipality of Tokyo.<br />
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The numeral "17" represents an area that may encompass several street blocks, as can be barely seen in the picture at the right.</div>
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And finally "15" is the number of the house that is unique inside the area "17". </div>
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As you can see, in this simple example, we find numerals in both Kanji and Arabic. Simple, isn't it ?</div>
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If you have an address in Latin characters you can copy it in Google Maps, and most probably it can find the location (sometimes you need to add or subtract a dash from the name to make it work). However, as happened to me in my first attempt to locate a small store in a small street with no name, I failed miserably to locate it physically. </div>
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I succeeded to get to the right place due to a common Japanese behaviour. A man have seen me wandering around and approached me asking ,using universal hand signs, where do I need to go. I have shown him the address, and after consulting with somebody inside his working place, he returned to me, and insisted in taking me to the right place that was located two streets away. Not only that, he took me to the elevator, and made sure that I arrived to the correct place. I was astonished from this guy politeness. By the way, I have already experienced similar behaviour in other occasions - this seems to be the rule and not the exception!</div>
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I am sure that even for Japanese people, it is confusing to find a specific address in a small street. Just take a look in one of the maps that you can find in a store website.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CH17_MhEIIY/UPF9CddYzPI/AAAAAAAAP_c/HceuwOGSl6Q/s1600/akibamap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CH17_MhEIIY/UPF9CddYzPI/AAAAAAAAP_c/HceuwOGSl6Q/s320/akibamap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a map of Akihabara - the geek's paradise. But, this deserves an additional post, or rather several ones.</div>
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See you !</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-77540734600774611672013-01-12T18:27:00.001+09:002013-01-12T22:11:23.308+09:00<h2>
<i><b>Moving to Japan</b></i></h2>
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</b></i> <b><i><span style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></i></b> <b><i><span style="color: blue;">My apologies to my Portuguese , French and Dutch speaking friends - I will write my posts in English. But you can translate its content by selecting your language from the scroll box at the right side of the screen.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></i></b> <b><i><span style="color: blue;">Meus amigos podem traduzir este blog clicando na barra de rolagem a direita da tela!!!</span></i></b><br />
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After an interval of more than 4 years, I am resuming my blogger activity as requested by many friends. When we first moved to Montreal, I sent through a mail list several impressions of my experience of living in Canada, but after a few months I did not find additional material to write about. When we later moved to Brussels, I started this blog that had a very short life - only 4 posts. I feel this time that I can entertain my friends for a longer period on how we are coping with this new life in Japan.<br />
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So let's start! My wife Noemi after working in Brussels for 4 years was offered a temporary position in Danone Japan.The plan is stay here for one year.<br />
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We feel very lucky about this opportunity of knowing a completely different culture. Fortunately, the company is taking care of the financial issues,so we are now living in an apart hotel in a nice neighborhood, Akasaka, in Tokyo.<br />
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Noemi is very excited about her new position and is enjoying this new challenge in her career. I liked very much our stay in Brussels, and could continue living there despite its nasty weather ( don't worry, this is one of the few subjects that all Belgians agree upon ). Nevertheless, I am already enjoying discovering this new place and hoping to share my experiences with you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT8FxFNGLzmjpHAYNb4CqAVPSl2O8_sCYeL6n_kheIDbqdoLRHKcTsWOCRhIAZg_X0SbMwc-lZCfD4jZCtlR-w8eq-bF8_wG6oqozPlKznBGa5jmAL59egDAGzQopYcOGi8bCUiRuEhA/s1600/mount-fuji-and-tokyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT8FxFNGLzmjpHAYNb4CqAVPSl2O8_sCYeL6n_kheIDbqdoLRHKcTsWOCRhIAZg_X0SbMwc-lZCfD4jZCtlR-w8eq-bF8_wG6oqozPlKznBGa5jmAL59egDAGzQopYcOGi8bCUiRuEhA/s400/mount-fuji-and-tokyo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tokyo is a huge modern metropolis and in a clear day you can see Mount Fuji from a high building. I did not have this chance yet, but I have seen it above the clouds when our plane was landing - unfortunately, I did not get this picture.</div>
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Anyway, I am writing again ! You are invited to comment and/or disagree of my positions - in any language.</div>
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See you soon,</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com0Tokyo, Japan35.6894875 139.6917063999999321.701504999999997 119.03740939999993 49.67747 160.34600339999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-58309682566565741572008-11-17T01:23:00.019+09:002008-11-17T06:14:20.661+09:00Israeli Dances<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SSBeP7ntTII/AAAAAAAAC9c/lsmhIXweZa0/s1600-h/log.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 193px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SSBeP7ntTII/AAAAAAAAC9c/lsmhIXweZa0/s320/log.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269315191818767490" border="0" /></a><br />After asking how I am in Belgium, most of my friends demand me if I have already started dancing. The answer is YES.<br /><br />There are several Israeli Folk Dance groups in Belgium, and I have started dancing in a very good one, although a little bit smaller than the ones I used to dance in São Paulo and Montréal ( it sounds like Baryshnikov talking , isn't it ? , rssssss ). Roselien is a very good teacher, updated, and has an interesting <a href="http://www.israelidance.be/index.html">site</a> .<br /><br />People coming to Montréal are sometimes confused about talking in French and English at the same time; but as you can see in this site - here in Brussels is trilingual - Flemish(Dutch) , French and English ! Although it seems that most of the dancers in the region are not Jewish, they know all the steps and dance names in Hebrew.<br /><br />They have many marathons and seminars in Belgium, Holland and France - I will soon be joining them, but as you can see in these images - it is not too easy to understand these flyers.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SSBedsyzvBI/AAAAAAAAC9s/xuGFDrI5LSk/s1600-h/flyer2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SSBedsyzvBI/AAAAAAAAC9s/xuGFDrI5LSk/s320/flyer2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269315428356963346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SSBedUqfTgI/AAAAAAAAC9k/95tcsjTfb3U/s1600-h/flyer1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SSBedUqfTgI/AAAAAAAAC9k/95tcsjTfb3U/s320/flyer1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269315421879619074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />By the way, here as some photos from my<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/rubensmau/HarkadaMontrealOct2008?authkey=eDLvDL6SHXA#">dancing farewell party</a> in Montreal :<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eOMh5b4Ghv40IONpNbf7JA?authkey=eDLvDL6SHXA"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SSCMfT8YbVI/AAAAAAAADAk/2ze14-asFJw/s200/montreal+harkada.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269366033580846418" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-39597609596660563342008-11-11T01:20:00.013+09:002008-11-11T02:11:36.269+09:00Missing info in my profile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRhigLOUdQI/AAAAAAAACYY/zh1-SZaw5Oc/s1600-h/santof_fc.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 55px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRhigLOUdQI/AAAAAAAACYY/zh1-SZaw5Oc/s320/santof_fc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267068069117981954" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Yasha has reminded me about an important information that was missing in my profile : I am a big fan of Santos F.C. - still, the most known Brazilian soccer team in the world.<br /><br />By the way, Ruth, my beloved mother-in-law, gave me a wonderful gift some months ago. She works with the restoration of paintings and maps, and was invited by Pelé to assess his art collection. She got a picture with Pelé and I won my special autograph.<br /><br />Lately, I tried to follow the Canadiens hockey team from Montréal - but they didn't go far away with my support. Let's see what happens with the local Anderlecht soccer team. Its sponsor is the FORTIS bank, that was "rescued" lately by BNP Paribas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRhizls4buI/AAAAAAAACYo/2kj92QckyW8/s1600-h/Ruth+e+Pele.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRhizls4buI/AAAAAAAACYo/2kj92QckyW8/s320/Ruth+e+Pele.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267068402643005154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRhio7S6emI/AAAAAAAACYg/LF-piYd_x5s/s1600-h/Pele+autografo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRhio7S6emI/AAAAAAAACYg/LF-piYd_x5s/s320/Pele+autografo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267068219461106274" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-76890936821144459232008-11-09T04:52:00.024+09:002008-11-09T06:44:55.299+09:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRX5gOjqvtI/AAAAAAAACXw/4l-zagikdLA/s1600-h/new+home.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tuseGR2eQyM/SRX5gOjqvtI/AAAAAAAACXw/4l-zagikdLA/s320/new+home.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266389671338491602" border="0" /></a><br />We are here already for 8 days , and I did not publish the blog yet. So let's start telling what happened already.<br /><br />Noemi had already rented a house when she had come here one month ago. Last Sunday, we had a meeting with the landlord to sign a document called "état de lieu" that lists all the equipments in the house. It is our responsibility to check all the small problems and include them in this contract. The house is in very good shape and has a beautiful garden in the back . But, has a very unusual space distribution: the two main rooms are in the first floor, and the living room with an adjacent kitchen in the second floor. In the third floor , just beneath the ceiling, there is an additional room that will be used as an office. This uncommon arrangement makes us always climb the stairs in the wrong direction, unless we give a good thought before moving.<br /><br />Forgot to tell that we are not living in this house yet; we are staying in an apart-hotel until the container with our furniture and personal belongings arrives here.<br /><br />As you have noticed, we have enough space to host our good friends - hope to see you soon "chez nous". You can have a glimpse of our beautiful neighbourhood clicking on<br /><h4><a href="http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=sg59hbhc3qfr&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=21024916&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&where1=louis%20jasmin%20,%20brussels&encType=1"> Microsoft Maps Live</a> </h4><br />Our home is the third from right at Avenue Louis Jasmin. In my opinion, this Bird's eye image is the best available tool for satellite images. Click on the circular arrows and get a view from the four directions.<br /><br />Feel free to comment "estas mal traçadas linhas".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7794123790949474719.post-1795438983408135762008-11-02T06:49:00.007+09:002008-11-02T07:36:19.828+09:00<span>Noemi and I have just moved from Montreal to Brussels !<br /><br />This is a good reason to start my own blog, hoping to keep in touch with my old friends from Brazil and Israel, as well as new ones from Canada. This is an interesting multicultural community with different languages, religions and interests.<br /><br />Although my English is far from perfect, this is the only language than can be read by most of my friends. I apologize for my simple style, and ask my daughter Vivian to contribute not only with her comments in the blog, but also with some "text improvements" - as she always did.<br /><br />At first, this space will be used to tell about my new experiences here; however, I hope to be able to have postings about daily issues that were always been discussed with my friends. Please feel free to write about the last movie, book or event that have always provoked interesting chats between us. Portuguese, Hebrew and French are also accepted - Flemish not yet :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291864679300487583noreply@blogger.com10