ストックホルム
私にとってストックホルムという街は、夏と限定すれば楽しく住む事のできる可能性がある場所です。白夜の季節は、夜１１時過ぎまで明るいので若い人や観光客には楽しめて最高です。私が訪れた頃は、太陽の日差しが差し込み暖かく、ストックホルムの人達は最高でした。スウェーデン人は皆、流暢な英語を話せて友好的に接してくれました。私は街を散策していると、ガムラスタン旧市街地で私の大好きなアンティークショップを発見！その店の女性オーナーはとても明るく、しかも並んでいる商品は全て私好みの物ばかり！（買い物病が・・・）水上の都、ストックホルムはファッショナブルでお洒落なバーやクールなレストランが沢山あり、道行く人の半数以上がモデル並みに美しかったです。一体、この街に嫌な所なんてあるのでしょうか？
Stockholm is a city that I could really enjoy living in, in the summer at least! During the White Nights it stays light out until around 11:30 PM which is great for tourists and young people who want to play all night long. The down side is that it is only light for about 6 hours on the shortest days of the winter. The sun was shining when we were there and I found the people to be more than great! First of all, most Swedes speak English beautifully and they are extremely friendly. I discovered a fantastic Antique shop in the old town which is called Gamla Stan. The owner was so full of light and I loved everything that she had. Stockholm is on the water and it is very fashionable and filled with attractive shops and super cool restaurants and bars. Half of the population look like models. What's not to like?
Stockholm is a city that I could really enjoy living in, in the summer at least! During the White Nights it stays light out until around 11:30 PM which is great for tourists and young people who want to play all night long. The down side is that it is only light for about 6 hours on the shortest days of the winter. The sun was shining when we were there and I found the people to be more than great! First of all, most Swedes speak English beautifully and they are extremely friendly. I discovered a fantastic Antique shop in the old town which is called Gamla Stan. The owner was so full of light and I loved everything that she had. Stockholm is on the water and it is very fashionable and filled with attractive shops and super cool restaurants and bars. Half of the population look like models. What's not to like?
サンクトペテルブルクに行く
私は、ロシアに行った事がなかったので、サンクトペテルブルクに行くのがとても楽しみでした。特にエルミタージュ美術館は世界一の美術品を展示している美術館なので絶対見る必要がありました。でも、実際にサンクトペテルブルクに着いたら様々な思いが込み上げました。まず、エルミタージュ美術館の大きさに圧巻されました。普段見る事の出来ない美術品の数々、想像を絶しました。この街で一番好きになった場所は、夏の宮殿（ペトロフ）です。なぜなら、私は子供の頃から噴水と銅像が大好きだったので、私にとってペトロフは天国のような場所なのです。この興味は、私の前世から来ているに違いありません！そして、ロシア美術館を見学しました。ロシア美術館はエルミタージュ美術館よりも私は気に入りました。私達以外、お客さんはほとんどおらず、展示されている美術品は西洋美術ではなくロシア美術ばかりでした。（ロシアの歴史が良く分かります）その後船に戻り、私はロシア国立フォークオーケストラのショーで、司会と歌をうたいました。その彼らから、現在のロシアの良い所と悪い所を教えてもらいました。まず良い所は、海外旅行をする自由が与えられたこと。そして悪い所は平均のロシア国民には全ての物価が高すぎる事だそうです。この街で、それを理解する事が出来ました。ロシア人は、普段あまり笑顔を見せません。これは、西洋人にはなかなか理解出来ないのですが、ロシア人は、見ず知らずの人には笑顔を見せる習慣がないのだそうです。ですから、別に不愉快とか不機嫌な訳ではないのです。（生活が大変だから笑う余裕も無いとも言っていました）もし皆さんがロシアへ行く機会があれば、自分の思う意見を見つけて欲しいですね！
I was excited to go to Saint Petersburg, Russia as I had never been to Russia before and I had heard that the Hermatage Museum, the home to the largest collection of paintings in the world, was so amazing, that you just have to go there someday. Saint Petersburg, it turned out, brought up a mix of emotions. The Hermatage is overwhelming. The sheer size of the collection of valuable art works blows the mind. My favorite place was Peterhov, the Summer Palace for the Tsars. Ever since I was a child, I loved fountains and statues, so this place was like paradise for me. I think this interest is in my blood from past generations. The Russian Museum was empty when we visited so I enjoyed it more than Hermatage in a way, as it is Russian, whereas the Hermatage is mostly Western Art. I MC'd and sang with a Balalaika group from the Russian National Folk Orchestra. They told me that the new Russia is in many ways better and in many ways worse than before. The good thing is there is freedom to travel. The bad thing is everything now is too expensive for average Russians. Russian people don't smile a lot which is confusing to Westerners. It's just not their custom to smile at strangers and it doesn't mean they are unhappy. Visit Russia when you can and form your own opinion!
I was excited to go to Saint Petersburg, Russia as I had never been to Russia before and I had heard that the Hermatage Museum, the home to the largest collection of paintings in the world, was so amazing, that you just have to go there someday. Saint Petersburg, it turned out, brought up a mix of emotions. The Hermatage is overwhelming. The sheer size of the collection of valuable art works blows the mind. My favorite place was Peterhov, the Summer Palace for the Tsars. Ever since I was a child, I loved fountains and statues, so this place was like paradise for me. I think this interest is in my blood from past generations. The Russian Museum was empty when we visited so I enjoyed it more than Hermatage in a way, as it is Russian, whereas the Hermatage is mostly Western Art. I MC'd and sang with a Balalaika group from the Russian National Folk Orchestra. They told me that the new Russia is in many ways better and in many ways worse than before. The good thing is there is freedom to travel. The bad thing is everything now is too expensive for average Russians. Russian people don't smile a lot which is confusing to Westerners. It's just not their custom to smile at strangers and it doesn't mean they are unhappy. Visit Russia when you can and form your own opinion!
ラトビアのリガへ
ラトビアのリガへ行こうと考えた事ありますか？私は、考えた事がありませんでしたが、行く事に意味のある場所だと知りました。リガは、ラトビアの首都で歴史を語ると波瀾万丈だった国でした。現在、リガの名所は殆ど修復されていて、アールデコ調のビルが立ち並ぶオールドタウンは見物です！この街での私が大発見したことは、街の中心部にあるブイクゼという名前のカフェ兼チョコレート会社。そのカフェには大変状態の良い１９４０年代の家具があり、とても上品なお店でした。私はそこでクラッシックカーとラジオを型取ったチョコレートを買いました。そして、次に行った所はアンティークショップ。そこでも年代物のブロンズ製バレリーナ像を購入！この街の至る所で咲いているライラックは、ブイクゼの社長マリス・グルビスさんの話によると、ライラックの花はラトビアの桜なのだそうです。この時期に訪れるとその意味が良く分かります。この街の中心にある公園は、ニューヨークのセントラルパークに似ていました。夏の白夜を体験し、リガの美しい建造物、そしてカッコいいリガの人々に出会う。そんな経験をしにリガに訪れてみては如何でしょう？皆さん、リガへ行って学びましょう！
Have you ever thought about visiting Riga, Latvia? I had not but I learned that it is an important place to go. Riga suffered a lot through it's history as the capitol of Latvia. It became independent from the Soviet Union in the early 1990's and has since become a success story. Riga is famous for it's amazing Art Deco buildings that are perfectly preserved today and it's old town. Our great discovery in Riga was V. Kuze, a chocolate company and cafe in the center of town. The cafe is filled with 1930's furniture in mint condition. I purchased chocolate radios and classic cars made of chocolate! Also we found an antique shop where I found a timeless Bronze ballerina. Lilacs are everywhere in Riga, and Maris Gulbis, the owner of V. Kuze, told me that they are the cherry blossoms of Latvia. The park in the center of town actually reminded me of Central Park. Seriously consider taking a trip to Latvia in the summer to experience the White Nights and wander around Riga looking at the beautiful buildings and very attractive people! Come to Riga and learn.
Have you ever thought about visiting Riga, Latvia? I had not but I learned that it is an important place to go. Riga suffered a lot through it's history as the capitol of Latvia. It became independent from the Soviet Union in the early 1990's and has since become a success story. Riga is famous for it's amazing Art Deco buildings that are perfectly preserved today and it's old town. Our great discovery in Riga was V. Kuze, a chocolate company and cafe in the center of town. The cafe is filled with 1930's furniture in mint condition. I purchased chocolate radios and classic cars made of chocolate! Also we found an antique shop where I found a timeless Bronze ballerina. Lilacs are everywhere in Riga, and Maris Gulbis, the owner of V. Kuze, told me that they are the cherry blossoms of Latvia. The park in the center of town actually reminded me of Central Park. Seriously consider taking a trip to Latvia in the summer to experience the White Nights and wander around Riga looking at the beautiful buildings and very attractive people! Come to Riga and learn.
ワールドクルーズ
ワールドクルーズから日本に戻ったばかりで、その間ブログを書く事が出来ませんでした。ドイツ、ラトビア、ロシア、スウェーデン、ノルウェー、オランダに行きました。それではドイツから始めましょう。ミュンヘン空港に着いて最初のサプライズは、お土産店のフランクさんに出会った事。１週間ほど前に東京で収録した番組の中で私を見たらしく、私の存在に気が付いてくれたのです！とってもビックリしました。そして、黒海側にあるロストックという町へ行きました。以前東ドイツだった所で、西ドイツ出身の友人は行った事のない町でしたが、町並みはとても美しく、整備されていて静かな所でした。古い教会、市場、アンティークショップなど色々な所を観光しました。アメリカ人は、ドイツの料理と言えばソーセージとサワークラウトが一番最初に思い浮かびます。しかし、私は最後の夜にレストランでソーセージを注文したら、テーブルに持ってきた物は何と豚の足！（豚のモモの部分をそのまま蒸した料理）本当にビックリしてしまいました。しかも、足にはまだ毛も付いていました。（ちょっと気持ち悪かった）もし、ドイツでソーセージを注文する時は気をつけて！注文する時は必ず「ブラットワースト」と言いましょう！！そうしないと豚の足が出てきます。私の一番のお気に入りのお土産は、自分の家に飾る為に買った「クークークロック」毎時間になると美しい音で素敵な思い出を思い起こさせてくれるのです。次回はラトビアのリガです。お楽しみに！
I just returned to Japan from the World Cruise and I was not able to write while I was on the trip. We visited Germany, Latvia, Russia, Norway, Sweden and Holland. So let's get started with Germany! When I arrived in Munich, I met Frank at the airport, who has just seen a show I was in about Tokyo, in Germany the week before. Amazing! We flew to Rostock, Germany which is on the Black Sea. It was formerly East Germany so my German friends had never been there as it used to be "off limits." The town is quiet but very pretty and nicely restored. We visited old churches, markets, the antique stores and enjoyed checking out the sites. Americans always think of Sausage and Sauerkraut as being very "German" so I ordered it on my last night. We ended up getting a huge, boiled Pig's Leg delivered at the table with some of the hair still on the pig! Beware! Order Bratwurst if you want Sausage. "Sausage" will get you a pig's leg! My favorite German Souvenirs are two Cuckoo clocks for upstairs and down. They awaken the sense of wonder every hour! Next stop, Riga, Latvia.
I just returned to Japan from the World Cruise and I was not able to write while I was on the trip. We visited Germany, Latvia, Russia, Norway, Sweden and Holland. So let's get started with Germany! When I arrived in Munich, I met Frank at the airport, who has just seen a show I was in about Tokyo, in Germany the week before. Amazing! We flew to Rostock, Germany which is on the Black Sea. It was formerly East Germany so my German friends had never been there as it used to be "off limits." The town is quiet but very pretty and nicely restored. We visited old churches, markets, the antique stores and enjoyed checking out the sites. Americans always think of Sausage and Sauerkraut as being very "German" so I ordered it on my last night. We ended up getting a huge, boiled Pig's Leg delivered at the table with some of the hair still on the pig! Beware! Order Bratwurst if you want Sausage. "Sausage" will get you a pig's leg! My favorite German Souvenirs are two Cuckoo clocks for upstairs and down. They awaken the sense of wonder every hour! Next stop, Riga, Latvia.
千葉ウィスコンシン協会５周年記念イベント
今日は、千葉ウィスコンシン協会５周年記念イベントで歌わせて頂きました。私の故郷を訪れた事のある人達やウィスコンシンで素晴らしい経験をした事のある人達が沢山いた事にとても感動しました。日本で、ウィスコンシンの人々がとても良い印象だと知ったら、大喜びでしょうね！日本では、ウィスコンシン州の事をあまり良く知られていませんが、今日のお客様は例外で、沢山の方が私の故郷へホームステイをしました。醤油で有名な会社「キッコーマン」は、ウィスコンシン州に大きな工場があり、ウィスコンシン州と千葉県は１９９３年から姉妹県（州）です。これから私は、ウィスコンシンと千葉県の交流の架け橋となるよう努力して、千葉県民やウィスコンシン州の素晴らしい人々、温かい皆さんがもっと親しくなれるといいですね！千葉ウィスコンシン協会の素晴らしいフェスティバルのご成功おめでとうございます。On Wisconsin! 明日は、飛鳥２への出演のため、ドイツのロストックへ向かいます。ボン・ボヤージュ
Today I performed at the 5th. Anniversary of the Chiba-Wisconsin Festival at Chiba University. It was amazing for me, as someone originally from Wisconsin, to meet so many Japanese people who have visited my home state and had such a wonderful experience there. The people of Wisconsin should be really happy to know that they have such a great reputation in Japan! Many Japanese do not know a lot about Wisconsin but today's audience was an exception with many people having even done a "home stay" in my home state. Kikkoman, the Japanese Soy Sauce company has a large factory in Wisconsin and Chiba has been the sister-state of Wisconsin since 1993. Today I felt that I have to do all that I can to be a bridge between Chiba and Wisconsin and I will do my part to bring the great people of Chiba prefecture and the great folks in Wisconsin, even closer together in the future! Thank you to the Chiba Wisconsin Association for a fantastic festival! Tomorrow I am off to Rostock, Germany to perform on the Asuka II World Cruise. Bon Voyage!
Today I performed at the 5th. Anniversary of the Chiba-Wisconsin Festival at Chiba University. It was amazing for me, as someone originally from Wisconsin, to meet so many Japanese people who have visited my home state and had such a wonderful experience there. The people of Wisconsin should be really happy to know that they have such a great reputation in Japan! Many Japanese do not know a lot about Wisconsin but today's audience was an exception with many people having even done a "home stay" in my home state. Kikkoman, the Japanese Soy Sauce company has a large factory in Wisconsin and Chiba has been the sister-state of Wisconsin since 1993. Today I felt that I have to do all that I can to be a bridge between Chiba and Wisconsin and I will do my part to bring the great people of Chiba prefecture and the great folks in Wisconsin, even closer together in the future! Thank you to the Chiba Wisconsin Association for a fantastic festival! Tomorrow I am off to Rostock, Germany to perform on the Asuka II World Cruise. Bon Voyage!
