Goodbye, dear Tokyo. I will return.

So I’m in China now to start the real reason I’m over here – work. This will be the final post in this blog, as I’m certain none of you have any interest in my next eight days of administrivia. Tokyo and Hakone have set the bar for a well-run environment – safe, immaculately clean, orderly and organized, with friendly and helpful people at every corner. Not to be grandiose – but from a tourist-only view, it’s an ideal society.

I never did find Godzilla – despite asking at every souvenir shop across the city. The response was always: “Godzirra? Hmmmmn… Goddddzirrrrra??” I tried “lizard”… I tried “dragon”… A few times I was offered a fighting dragon reminiscent of the old Asian legends – but never a Godzilla. Near as I can figure, ‘Hello Kitty’ ran him out of town.

So – off to work. Thanks for joining me on this journey. The emails and blog comments certainly bolster the weary traveler. I hope you’ve enjoyed the story. Until next time… ciao!