When Japan gets the measles...

So... About 20 years ago the Japanese government made the measles vaccine optional. That only lasted a few years and it's now mandatory again, but there is a small portion of the population that has not been vaccinated.

This spring has seen an elevated number of measles cases on the university campuses here in Tokyo. Which means that in order to prevent a real outbreak, many universities have cancelled school.

Yup, Monday school was cancelled for the week. It's funny because there have been 12 cases of measles reported at my university. 12 cases out of a student body of 55,000 people! That's what it takes to get school cancelled I suppose. On the one hand not having school has been good. I could get a bit caught up on classes. On the other hand, my busy week that was supposed to be over today has been postponed for a busy week next week! Argh!!

Ma, shoganai ne! (can't be helped)

Hiking... in Tokyo!!

So... everyone thinks that Tokyo is just a big city with lots of neon lights, concrete and karaoke joints. Not so!! Tokyo is quite a big place... big enough that there's even some countryside. And I have proof! I went hiking in Tokyo today... there was lots of nature and sun!! Skipped rocks and had a great time... I've got pics to prove it!

And you can't even see any concrete down near the river... nice!




You can't get by without fire hydrants... even in the middle of the country!! :-) Thank you Will for accentuating that point! Haha...



















Despite Kassandra's cheery expression... the water was pretty cold!



















I was not happy about the bridge. I'm not as scared of heights as my brother... but a rickety
wooden bridge is not my idea of fun!