When I first moved to Chigasaki I didn’t notice how nice the air was.  It was only the first time I walked along a crowded street in Tokyo that I realized something was different, really different. The air is cleaner and fresher.  More alive.

I also realize that I can see more.  My last apartment, in Saitama, was five stories, the highest building around, and we were on the top.  I could even see Mt. Fuji on a clear day.  But it’s different here.  When I look into the horizon I see nothing.  It’s a lot like Alberta where I grew up.  One of Alberta’s nicknames is big sky country and that is really true.  There is something peaceful about looking out into the horizon and seeing nothing but sky.  I also enjoy seeing the odd grain elevator in the distance but will settle for a lighthouse here.  I searched the old photos I scanned ages ago and cannot find a good picture of Alberta sky. I have some good sunset pics but that is for another post.

The picture above was taken on January 3rd after we watched the ekiden (a long distance relay race) pass by our area.  About half of the spectators did the same thing.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day and despite the relative lack of wind, someone was able to keep a kite in the air.

The picture below is of the beach I where I went to summer camp at Gull Lake.  It’s a lake beach and I used to spend parts of summer playing beach volleyball, conquest and ultimate Frisbee here.  I also used to walk along the beach by myself enjoying the feeling of sand between my toes.  I can’t wait until it warms up and I can do the same here.  I could walk for hours barefoot along the beach or on grass.

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