Eugene, Oregon to Tokyo, Japan

One of the great things about this trip is the fact that we've had a chance to meet up with so many friends. To wit, Tokyo happens to be the Town de Jour of James, a friend from my Eugene days. It also happens to the be the town of James' wife Mamiko and two adorable boys Ray (3) and Louis (1 & a half). A lot can happen in 10 years, it turns out.

James and Mamiko warmly welcomed us into their Urawa home (Urawa Reds for the footie fans out there) and fed us the finest meal we have had on this trip. We caught up on old times, learned from Ray and James about Japan's cultural icon "Ultraman," and chatted books.

In addition to a fantastic evening, James and Mamiko were kind enough to forgive the fact that the chocolates we brought were wrapped in Valentines paper.

-d