Swine Flu Quarantine Inspection

Upon arrival at Chubu International in Nagoya, we had to pass quarantine inspection. Took about an hour. Fortunately the air blowing out of the vents was very cool, I turned mine up high and hoped for the best. Not that I had a fever, but I didn't want to take any chances. So I passed, and so did everyone around me. I have heard other stories and if someone close to you has symptoms it could mean 1 week isolated in a hotel, not fun.

I took this video with my Nikon D90 DSLR and a 10-20mm super wide Sigma lens.

Two amazing weeks in Gifu City.

Finally after 2 years of talking about it, I got a change to visit. After reading about Japan and scouring blogs for information and details about this country, it was my turn to see for myself what it is was all about. I can say for me, that it was more than I had expected. It is truly an amazing place in so many ways.

The picture above is just one example of my 2 incredible weeks in Japan. I can't even put into words the experience that I just had. I can not thank my host family enough for everything they did for me during my stay. Finding a family that would allow me to stay and live with them allowed me to experience the country in ways that would not be possible otherwise.

Shoebill "動かない鳥" in Ueno zoo in Tokyo, Japan.

上野動物園に行ってきました。

パンダが亡くなって以来、ひっそりしていた上野動物園、

このまま客足が遠のくのでは？！と

危惧していたところに、なんと朗報！

パンダの次のアイドルといわれている動かない鳥。

先週の日曜日に見てきました。

本当に動きません。

一通り見てから悔しいのでもう一度見に行くとなんと、

３歩くらい歩いて泣きました。

しかしそのほかの２羽ははく製の用に無動！

はく製でもおいときゃいいのに！とも言ってる人もいました。

上野動物園のnext idle に会いに行きましょう♪

みき

Shoebill of '' 動かない鳥　Not moving bird is called next idle in Ueno.

Hello! I'm Miki.

I will show you the latest news from Japan.

Have you ever heard Ueno zoo in Japan?

Check the following site.

http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/index.html

Shoebill will become most popular bird in Japan soon. Unfortunately the number 1 idle ''Panda'' died last year. Ueno zoo had lost many visitors. No panda means it became the same as a usual zoo. They lost rare charactor in the Ueno zoo.

Speaking for Panda, many people came to think about ''Ueno!'' like that.

But it must be very difficult to import a giant panda from China again, but they caught the chance finally, because many people have visited to see the Shoebill recently. I think this is a good news for them .

So I visited to see that bird last Sunday. There are three Shoebills in the cage,

and Those Shoebill didn't move first time. I visited their cage again after while, and the

Shoebill cried once then. If you could see those birds's moving when you visit a Zoo which has Shoebill, it will be a lucky day for you . ;)

Medical check at Chubu

Still on the plane. Looks like I passed though.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Getting ready for the long haul

Boarding at Detroit for a direct flight to Nagoya. Sorry for the awful picture. They really need to update the BB Storm software.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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