Apparently I Take Tests on Vacation

Dive day and learning day. First dive of the day was the Doc Poulson, a boat that was sunk in the 1970’s and sits alone on a plateau of sand. L and I were the first ones in, and as he swam down to the boat, I followed behind, only to see an eagle […]

Day One Diving in Grand Cayman

Time to dive. We met at 730 for our orientation and took a bus to the dock where we boarded the boat. The boat is designed for 42 divers, with 2 dive masters. There are 8 of us here today, so we aren’t overcrowded. Apparently that is sometimes a real problem. We motored out to […]

A Different Kind of Trip, A Different Kind of Blog

Butterblogger returns, my friend, and this time, he brings you a different kind of trip, unlike others he has done in the past. I can’t promise the hijinks, but please follow along. I’m off on a dive trip! Yes I know it’s been a while since I mentioned this possibility, but I’ve been considering doing […]

In the Solitude of Crowds

This morning, I rose, had breakfast, and packed before heading out into the streets of Tokyo where I found myself strolling, contemplative, under low grey skies in one of the world’s greatest cities. I walked through the very expensive shopping district, following a vague trajectory, but mostly headed where my feet would wander. Somewhere along […]

Why Does It Keep Raining In Japan?

I’m all on my own today. P and I ate breakfast and he hopped on a shuttle bus to Narita, after which I slipped out into the hazy glow of morning. I only had one thing on the agenda for the day, and I knew it would likely have to be accomplished in the morning, […]

Sometimes I’m Not Smart Enough to Order Food in Japan

Today is P’s last day on this trip. We are trying to get a couple typical Tokyo experiences in. One of those, according to the guidebook is Meiji Jingū a Shinto shrine built to honor Emperor Meiji, whose reign encompassed the period in which Japan transformed from an isolationist state to a modern nation. We […]