Yesterday was the night of the moon eclipse; obviously, I could not take good pictures of the phenomenon, but I also witnessed a few Christmas lights than can give you an idea of the very special atmosphere of the night.

Cosmic show at Roppongi

Solar explosions

Venus Tree

Milky Way

Back on Earth : Nutcracker's Castle (Roppongi Hills) and Gingerbread Village (Muji)

Happy Christmasization !

At Meguro.

Winter is coming.

Autumne never ends in this country... It's December already, en have a look at what was waiting for me at Rikugien !

Welcome to a typical Edo period garden ! No doubt that the walkers in the ancient times have been inspired by its beauty to write poetry. As fall came late this year, we can enjoy these amazing colors at the fringe of winter. Light is excellent. Contrast is perfect. What else ???

It was on November 28th, at Royal Park Hotel ; another major event for the visibility of African cultures in Tokyo, organized by the Ladies' Friendship Association for Africa and the Middle East (Nihon Chuukinto Africa Fujinkai) : the African Charity Bazaar. As for African Festa, Mali was there with a food booth and a shop corner.

As the event was not in open-air this time, the atmosphere was more cosy and also noisier, but also a bit high-quality looking. Also, this time the entry was not free - people had to pay 2000yen to enter and participate to the loto game. Obviously, the participants were mainly Africa-fans who come every year to buy artcraft and other rare products. Chic Bazaar !

The Embassy's cook menu : tieb'n dien and bashi

Bazaar

Me and the best Malian Cook

Bissap juice (hibiscus)

 France, Mali, Japan : my World Twister Game

I had bashi in take-away, to eat at home (a kind of peanut couscous with a delicious sauce made of meat, spinach, onions...). It is, actually, delicious.

This is my third birthday in Japan, far from my beloved family but close to all the others. Having your birthday on a weekday is never funny, because usually no one is keen on partying very late. Except this year : the famous and controversial Beaujolais Nouveau was to be opened all over the world on this same day... which means, a big party with the Tokyo French community & friends to celebrate the event. Happy birthday Noemi, Happy birthday Beaujolais !

First present of the day : a smiling sunny blue sky

My dear family sent me a hundred gifts... love you guys.

Sweet messages from my two little fairies A. & G.

Who said co-workers can not be true friends ? Mine had a huge birthday cake waiting for me after lunch.

My first Japanese-style birthday cake

The Malian-Japanese-French-Pakistanese dream-team (and so what ?!...)

Last but not least : the buffet party at Pachon Daikanyama with Beaujolais Nouveau all-you-can-drink and friendly funny people around.

Master Chef in action

Pâté, rillettes... Only saucisson was missing

Great atmosphere at Pachon's this night, thanks to the AFJ (them again!!) who did a splendid work as usual.

Ishinomaki champions

One of our brave super-mummy volunteers

O. and S., definitely the good people met thanks to Ishinomaki volunteering experience

(I know, my lips are black, have you tried to drink Beaujolais Nouveau once in your life ?...)

Ok, flying time can be a good thing after all. As long as it gives you the opportunity to get so many great love and friendship prooves... Let's go on aging with a light heart.

Love you all !

Japan / France / Poland / Italy / UK

ETP 2009 is far behind us already, and our small group is shrinking month after month, but sometimes one of us comes back to Tokyo and this is just as if we had never left each other. ETP friendship is not dead !

For urbanism and urbanity lovers.

Sometimes it's nice to bring my obento on the roof and eat lunch under the sun. My work place is situated in a very quiet area between Meguro and Gotanda ; it's green, peaceful, the perfect place to breathe and relax. Could stay there until the night...

C'est véritablement utile, puisque c'est joli.

Alors mon coucher de soleil ? rappela le petit prince qui jamais n’oubliait une question une fois qu’il l’avait posée.

L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux

@ Ginza

(spéciale dédicace à soeurette)