To the terrible, powerful sea that swept the landscape away

To the cruel sea that took so many lives

To the exhausted sea we spoiled with oil, garbage, radioactive water

You are so, so beautiful. Please forgive us, teach us, bless us.

This is spring... Golden Week is coming... we all need to take a break and to relax...

Some of us will be lucky enough to enjoy onsen soon. For the ones who will not have this pleasure, let me help you to imagine. First, imagine that you are amazingly clean, cleaner that you have never been (no offense). This is because you took the greater shower of your life just before, and you washed yourself from the toes to the hair - this is mandatory. When you're finally shining like a baby, you can enter onsen. It is so warm you have to breath with your whole skin. Water is not only pure, it's mineral, powerful, because it comes from the depth of earth. The air around you is almost liquid. Blond skins like mine get red into five minutes but the Japanese keep pale and beautiful, only the cheeks get pink. Once you get use to environment, you can appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. Everybody is naked, everybody is relax, everybody is rejuvenating. This is onsen. Come and try.

Just can't get enough, as they say... Sakura, sweet blossoming Tokyo, sun, spring... I'm addicted and I just can't get enough.

(Fresh picture from Meguro this morning, on the way to work, go and back... Life could be worse.)

Remember the giant turtle ? Remember the rabbit following his master on the street like a dog ? I was wondering what kind of strange pet I will randomly meet next in this crazy Tokyo. Wel, this morning, I got the answer.

A pig. Adult one. Yes. (Remind me something)

Don't ask me why.

It was Sunday morning at Rinshi-no-Mori Park close to Musashi-Koyama station. The master was, like usual, a sweet Japanese grandfather. The "pet" was, as usual, amazingly clean and quiet.

I still can't believe it, can you ?...

So, let's bet about the next strange pet : I hesitate between a zebra and a baby giraffe.

What do you say ?

This is the same beauty every year, but I just can't get enough ! Tokyo at spring is totally pink, from the sakura to the sky. Have a walk under the cherry trees, by a sunny Sunday, and let's go back with blossoms in the hair and brand new hope in the heart !

今年も桜はきれいですね。東京はピンクになりました。今日日曜日だから散歩して、色々な桜が見られました。本当にいい感じ！

At Rinshi-no-Mori

At Musashi-Koyama

At Meguro

ばら色の人生ですね。

La Vie en Rose...

A gift from my co-worker... because I had the honor to welcome her at my place the night of the earthquake, when all the trains were stopped... This world is crazy. Am I supposed to receive nice peach darjeeling tea when I do something that I fully enjoy ??? People, you make a spoiled kid of me.

Arigatou, Kiyoko-san !

Sometimes... sometimes... it's sunny around Paris.

Yes. It's not an April Fool. Just check these pictures. Isn't it a nice preview of the Japanese sakura ?...

Let's enjoy the spring flowers this year like never !

There is a family in Hiroshima that I carry in my heart forever. Not only they occasionnally welcome me since my first homestay at their place in 2007, but they also offered me a shelter when I needed it and I just don' know how to express my feelings toward them. They are warm, kind, gracious people and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

この家族に心からありがたいです。色々手伝ってくれて、ずっと覚えます。

Pieces of Happiness :

KARAOKE !

二人は上手！！！

COOKING !

おいしかった------

Tempura party !

SMILE !

幸美ちゃん、頑張って！！！

お疲れ様でした!

ありがとう。

本当にありがとう。

It feels unreal but three weeks ago, we were enjoying the simple fact to be in Japan without wasting one second thinking of tsunami or radioactivity. Everthing was so peaceful. With Mum and Sis', we went to Kyoto and visited the so famous Ginkakuji. It was beautiful, it was moving... But this beauty still stands proudly in Japan, balancing in our hearts the terrible pictures of endless ruins from the region of Tohoku. The heart of Japan beats strongly enough to heal the wounds of the country...

Girls, this is "happiness capital" for the future ! Cheer up !