Reflections

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 4:26 AM,

From “Me”

Ohyoo!

I’ve been in Japan now for 4 days.

My first day here was one with no work.  One of my clients suggested I contact her friend, Chester, who is a professor of urban development at the University of New Mexico on assignment at the University of Tokyo.  Chester kindly took me to Sensoji Temple. Founded in 628 A.D., Senoji is swarmed with tourists and locals alike. It’s famous for its five-story pagoda and giant red Kaminarimon ("Thunder and Lightning Gate").

Next, we took a train to see the country side...

It’s February - cold, gray, wet here.  Not a lot to see in the country side. However, Chester did point out the high-rise prison in the NE part of Tokyo.  No high-rise prison in New Mexico, so that was interesting.  Apparently, the NE has some bad Juju - hookers, and cast of people that families don't talk about, live here.

I also learned about a "practical biking" culture called "mamachare” (pronounced “mama char ay”). People bicycle everywhere so there’s bike parking at all the stores and train stations – everywhere.
Imagine the savings to the environment, health care costs and space! What a concept!

Can we do this in Albuquerque?

For the past 3 days I’ve been teaching a pre/postnatal Pilates course that I created.  I have 21 students - one of whom is 6 months pregnant and 2 of whom are one month and two months post-partum (they left their babies at home to come to my class - this is a very big honor!)  With all of these women - many of whom are mothers and grandmothers, I’ve learned a bit about the culture of women, pregnancy and childbirth here.  Very natural/normal - very....good.

However, there is one thing I have learned about that I really think we need to consider in Albuquerque...maybe even the entire southwest...
UMBRELLAS

WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!

Everyone here owns at least one Umbrella. And on top of that - they actually USE them! I’ve discovered that by keeping you dry - they also help you to stay warm.  IMAGINE!  No cold wet hair, clothes, even your shoes/feet stay a bit dryer (ergo warmer)!

So my proposal to all Nuevo Mexicanos is....Try an Umbrella. It’s like sunshine in the rain!

Wow am I learning a lot here!!!

Best to you and Love!