Mom Haggerty's visit - part 1

Wednesday, May 23rd, brought our third U.S. visitor, Mom Haggerty. We were so excited to meet her at the airport. We expected Ian's Aunt Ruth also, but a last-minute health issue canceled her trip. We missed her company and thought about Ruth more than usual over the next week.

The staff of the Haggerty Ryokan await the arrival of their guest.

Waiting is still such hard work!

There she is!
Traveling from the states is such a long trip that we didn't make any plans for Mom's first day with us. Just relaxing at home. Addison loved having her Gran around to read and play with.

The next day, Thursday, Ian went off to work and Addison and I got to show Mom around Tokyo. We started with the Ueno Zoo. Of course we hoped to see the giant panda doing something - anything actually. But, as has been all my experiences, he was asleep with his back to his sizable audience.

Waiting on the platform for Mom's first train ride in Tokyo.














We walked past the lion's den, a first for all of us. Addy loved looking at the lion - until he looked back! Then she said "No, no, no" and back away from the glass. I couldn't help myself, I laughed!








Mom certainly got her exercise while she was here. Addison was always asking for Gran to pick her up.

"Senor Toucan, is that you"?

"I like to watch the polar bears! Roar"!


Say cheese!








We left the zoo around closing time and walked to Ueno Ameyayokocho, a large shopping area. There are all kinds of stores - souvenir stores, shoe stores, food vendors, restaurants. We did some shopping and made sure to have some fresh pineapple on a stick. It was delicious! Addison inaugurated her new shirt with the pineapple juice.