Memories of Japan came flooding back as I ate at Chocolate Buddha tonight. The food, as you can see in pictures below was divine ,entrees of vegetable tempura and prawns (not photographed) first picture spicy pork ramen, second- seafood ramen and third chicken teriyaki, and the most delcious deserts-yuzu baked cheesecake (which just melted in the mouth) and tempura banana just rounded off a fantastic dinner.
The sake was smooth and the company of friends (Keith and Bina) one who has also been to Japan was excellent. Of course talk led to things we had seen and done and eaten while in Japan, and plans made for a future trip (yay if those plans come into being I might be able to knock off some more things on my to do list :) )
Discussions of travel and food played a big part of the night, but also the fact that we often don't explore our own backyards enough ( a thing I have mentioned here before.)
Take the opportunity sometime to explore your home town as a tourist/traveller would.
Look at it with fresh eyes and see the marvels that it has to offer, whether it is a walk down the river, visiting an art gallery or museum, enjoying dinner at a restaurant you've never been too, going up a side street that you've never explored before, see the city by night (because lights always make it look prettier :) )
And if you're stuck in traffic (thanks to the Indian Prime Minister who was in town to discuss business investments) don't bitch and moan about it but take a look around and find things that you didn't notice before, (and no matter how many times you might travel down a road you'll be surprised at the little things that you hadn't seen before)