Taya Caves

Jill, I, and the children went to a really cool place near the Ofuna train station -- the Taya Caves. The caves were used as a seminary by the Shingon Sect of Buddhist monks beginning in the 12th century. Over the course of 500 years, the caves were enlarged from their natural state, by hand, by these monks.

To attain enlightenment, disciples would enter their own exercise halls within the cave. Here they practiced "austerities" such as fasting for 21 days, meditating, and digging cliffs and tunnels by hand. The original length of the tunnels within the cave was 1500 metres; only about 400 metres are now open to the public.

The ceilings and walls of the cave are elaborately carved with Buddhist representations. The cave contains ventilation openings, drainage, and even a drinking water system! All built by hand!

Tama Hills

We went to Tama Hills at Yokota a week or so ago. We had a great time golfing and hiking (despite the mosquitoes). We're pretty good at the hiking but are goofballs on the golf course. Fortunately, no one minded! We plan on going again - soon!

Mt. Fuji

We hiked Mt. Fuji on July 16th. Ric made it to the top along with three friends. Danny and I made it to the 7th Station (there are 10 "stations" on Mt. Fuji; most people start climbing from the 5th Station, which is the last station at which there is parking).

Unfortunately, on the day we went there were gale force winds! Poor Danny kept getting knocked down by the winds -- even I was "pushed" by them. It was rather frightening. The next day, one of Ric's co-workers went with his family and conditions were perfect. Another co-worker went over the weekend and, in addition to winds like we experienced, there was sleet! That's Mother Nature for you....

As you can imagine, the winds caused the volcanic dirt to fly around a lot. Most people wore goggles of some sort and had masks to help keep from breathing in the dirt. As it was, our nostrils, ears, scalps, and backpacks were filled with sand. I even had the sand on my torso under the five layers of clothing I was wearing (sports bra, long johns, long-sleeved heavy T-shirt, button-down hiking shirt, and heavy jacket)!

But, we were all glad for the opportunity!

4TH OF JULY!

We went to Oshima Island for the 4th of July weekend (Ric surprised Danny and me with the trip!). We stayed at an old hotel near the volcano (a live volcano) with a lovely onsen. We hiked up to the top of the volcano. At the top it was quite foggy/misty and visibility was poor -- that really added to the sense of adventure! But, unfortunately, we couldn't really see into the crater....






Here we're getting ready to get onto the ferry that took us over to the island (getting to Oshima from Yokosuka involved close to 3 hours travel time - about 2 hours on trains and another 45 minutes on the ferry).

We also went to the beach! Ric and Danny went snorkeling (can you see them in the top photo?). It was a little too cold for me....
Breakfast at the hotel was quite good. So was dinner - but it was a little intimidating for Danny (too much raw fish)! But, he valiantly ate it. Ric, of course, loved every morsel and ate anything Danny and I couldn't (or wouldn't) finish.

The hotel was a traditional Japanese hotel. While we were at dinner, the staff set out our futons. We all slept very well.

Medicine Warning! Watch out for TOPAMAX!

Just a warning for everyone who might be prescribed Topamax as a prophylactic for migraines -- BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU USE IT!

I (Bobbie) was prescribed Topamax to help prevent migraines (the doctors at the Navy Hospital here in Yokosuka say that migraines occur more frequently, and more severely, in Japan). A little known side-effect of this medicine is severe weight loss. A more common side effect is general stupidity -- the medicine's nickname is "Dopamax."

Side Effect 1: Weight loss

Over the course of 5 months, my weight dropped from approx. 120 lbs. to 97 lbs (I am 5'7" tall). At first, I just thought I was losing weight because I do so much walking here in Japan. The first doctor I saw told me that "everyone loses weight when they come here" (that's when I weighed about 110 lbs.). The next doctor (who I saw when I weighed about 102 lbs.) told me it was hormones (unlike most women over 40 whose hormones cause them to gain weight) and also told me there was nothing they could do for me unless I was not able to keep my weight at or above 100 lbs. When I continued to lose weight and tried AGAIN to have someone help me, they sent me to see a psychiatrist to make sure I was not anorexic!

It was a very frightening time -- I thought there must be something terribly wrong with me and the doctors were just not finding it. The worst part was feeling as though no one was listening and, instead, that they had made up their minds that I was doing it to myself. I thank those people who listened,were concerned for me, and knew I wasn't doing this.

It wasn't until I went to Danny's doctor that the connection was made. She ran a litany of tests (unlike the prior doctors who only checked my thyroid) but she hit on the Topamax angle immediately. She weaned me off of the medicine (discontinuing it abruptly can cause seizures) and, within one month, I gained 13 lbs. I can't thank this woman enough.

SIde Effect 2: Stupidity

I also got this one! Ric thought I was getting early-onset Alzheimer's! Of course, I didn't even realize this had happened (obviously, my brain was not functioning)!

Lesson

BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU ARE PRESCRIBED TOPAMAX! "Google" the medicine to find "real people" reviews. Here's a link to one site: www.askapatient.com. Type in the name "Topamax" and then click on the link for the medicine (not the "sprinkles" one). You'll see a HUGE number of negative reviews -- believe them!

Heaven....

This is how it should be. Not the crowded, cramped, cities full of people and houses and apartments stacked one on top of another....

Danny and I took a cruise down the Kinugawa river near Nikko. It reminded me of the Colorado river at the base of the Grand Canyon. It's the most beautiful thing I've seen during our 13 months in Japan. As a friend who was on the trip said -- just getting to be on the river for a while makes it easier to go back to the crowded city where we live.

Mother's Day!

After having breakfast made for me and a relaxing morning at home, we spent the day at Zoorasia (the Zoo in Yokohama). The weather here is starting to get warm again and the rain stopped two days before Mother's Day. Yay!!!