Ode to My Fashion

A few weeks back, something unusual happened to me: I won! I played a game on the Instagram of Karelle , who is a very famous food blogger here in Senegal. And I won a voucher for a brunch for two at a very nice hotel in town: the Pullman Teranga Dakar. I was surprised at first because I have never won anything in my life. And believe me I have tried my luck on many games. This time I was just playing without really hoping to win. I was so excited because, I have been wanting to go eat at the Pullman for quite some time now.  I originally wanted to give the tickets to my parents for them to enjoy. But upon speaking with my baby brother, he told me that those tickets would be wasted on them since they are old and cannot eat that much (it was a buffet!). So I saved the idea to treat them for later and decided to take my kids and best friend instead. My baby bro and his fiance also joined us. I have been to the Pullman fo...

In Japan, one of the best place to shop for Japanese souvenirs will not be at souvenirs stores in tourist traps but flea markets. Japan has several flea markets in big shopping malls, attraction parks, stadiums, shrines and so forth. However, the one that I like the most is called Machida Tenmangu Flea market. It is located in Machida city at the Tenmangu shrine, 45 mns by train from Yokohama, even less time from Tokyo. The flea market takes place every 1st of the month, every month, rain, snow or shine. It starts very early also, by 8:00 AM and has more than 100 independent vendors. In the market, you can find used kimonos, kokeshi dolls, vases, dishes, jewelry, paintings, furniture practically anything Japanese or not. The market is small in itself but you can easily spend hours there just browsing, touching, haggling, buying.   The Shrine's entrance (even have vendors on the steps leading to the flea market)   I have been there only twice, but every time I go ho...