New Day

Today's good thing is that every day is a new start.  The last couple of days have been tense and frustrating, but every new day is a chance to get it right -- or at least right-er. 

Jeff and Kate made it safely to Japan ... a little jet-lagged but otherwise none the worse for wear.  We skyped with them for about an hour last night -- just as we were going to bed on Monday, they were starting their day on Tuesday.  They're 13 hours ahead of us. 

Otani Hotel Tokyo

View from their hotel room.  The flat green roofed building is the Imperial Palace

They're staying at lovely Otani hotel, right next to the Imperial Palace and have a great view of the gardens and the city. 

Here are some of the pictures Kate posted of the Imperial Gardens, which was about all they had seen when we spoke to them last night. 

  

Isn't it beautiful? 

Apparently, they're getting along okay so far in finding food to eat.  Jeff -- being Jeff -- carefully monitored the radiation and planned the stay in Japan to coincide with predicted wind patterns that would take airborne radiation away from the city.  Then he learned that the amounts of radiation in Tokyo were only slightly higher than in New York City and, in fact, much lower than you experience during the overseas flight (due to being so high in the atmosphere).  THEN he started hearing reports of radiation contaminated food.  He almost cancelled the trip and but finally went with many misgivings.  They are committed to eating only imported and pre-packaged food, at least while they're in Japan, to reduce their risk of contamination.  I hope they're able to find what they need and that they're able to deal with it.  I guess it's better than not going at all.