the top of Sapporo

Wanted to quickly post these shots from a fabulous day spent at the top of Sapporo!

On Saturday, we rode Sapporo's 60's era ropeway (otherwise known as an aerial tram) to the summit of Mt. Moiwa, on the western side of the city. There we were met with 360 degree views of Sapporo and the surrounding countryside...all the way out to the Sea of Japan. It was stunning. We could even see our home-sweet-soviet-cell-block, the Danshi (photos forthcoming).

Inside, a small restaurant offered local ice-cream sundaes in flavors tomato, carrot and unidentifiable purple tuber. I opted for a glass of pink bubbly and Nat, a Sapporo classic. Will definitely return soon for a night view and a bowl of piping hot soup curry! YES.

Maruyama Koen... aka the first thing to write home about from Japan

august 16, 2009. just two short weeks have passed since i was one year younger and we were fresh in sapporo. for my birthday, we paid a visit to maruyama koen, a vast park in the western hills of the city. it was still obon season then, and we happened upon the hokkaido shrine as we walked the park. after washing our hands and mouths with clean water, we watched awkwardly as monks passed silently through the compound and visitors stopped to make offerings at the gate. one of many moments already when we wish we knew more about the place we live...

afterward, in search of the produce market (sadly, closed), we stopped in to a tiny pizza shop for lunch. there we enjoyed our first glass of wine here in japan (!), fresh mozzarella, birthday brownies and friendly banter with the czech pizzaiolo. one of many little slices of home we have encountered here. i have found myself describing sapporo as not unlike portland, despite differences in every tangible way (language, culture, food, landscape) this place feels oddly familiar as we navigate our daily lives. for months i've been wondering when the rush of starting a new life and giving up the old will hit me like a freight train. with each day that passes here, i'm beginning to suspect it might creep up instead...