Author: Tippi

A Different Kind of Weekend Market

This was not your typical brunch, leisurely taken after a stroll through a Saturday market…this was a wake-up-before-the-crack-of-dawn, head-off-to-the-docks-to-find-a-sushi-stall-in-a-fish-market kind of Saturday breakfast.  We were looking for Endo Sushi in Osaka’s Central Fish Market (similar in some ways to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, where Ito and I had tried our first, super-fresh, early morning sushi breakfast a year ago). All seven of us (Ito, John, JR, Anne, Arvin, Erika and myself) had agreed to wake up at 5am–give or take 30 minutes for those of us who didn’t wake up on time, LOL!–to catch the first subway train out, before walking the rest of the way to find the little stall in the midst of the huge market. A hundred year-old establishment, Endo Sushi in Osaka serves the freshest catch of the day and is open from 5am-2pm.  We were there at dawn, but the place was already full…luckily the wait wasn’t too long. We were served melt-in-your-mouth sweet eel, sea urchin, seabream, fatty tuna (the only item that’s repeated) and yellowtail… …followed by japanese squid, sweet shrimp, sea scallops, fatty tuna and pink salmon.  The sushi is lightly brushed with soy sauce (not dipped) and no wasabi is served just palate-cleansing ginger shavings. The servings are generous so when a third plate with a different selection was offered, I was way too full and reluctantly declined (even if...

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On the Streets of Osaka

More than sightseeing, people watching is one of my favorite past-times when traveling.  Observing how people live, where they go, what styles they choose to wear (and when), and noticing the differences and similarities between them and myself is just fascinating.  Ultimately, it is people and culture that make a country what it is. *Took all these pics myself with a new Olympus point-and-shoot that I got in Umeda (since my beloved Lumix began dying a slow death…sayonara, old friend…) Androgyny meets British pop on the streets of Japan This couple was the ultimate in understated luxury, layering linen, cashmere & soft cottons   Talk about fierce fashion!  I love the metal detail & pretty intricacy of their warrior gear Pounding the pavement is the best way to explore a city Ladies dressed up in gloves and berets for brunch and a Sunday stroll by the river Traditional Japanese wear in transit on the subways of Osaka Japanese girls in petticoated plaid skirts, cropped jackets and whimsical head pieces Primped & prettified boys gather regularly on Osaka’s streets Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this...

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Time for Renewal

Got back home early today, just in time for 11-11-11!  They say today brings energies of renewal, which is perfect following a great trip with friends.  It’s been over a week since my last blog post, and I must admit, I’m surprised that I didn’t manage to blog while we were in Japan.  I even brought my laptop and Galaxy Tab along thinking I could blog while in transit, but somehow never got around to it.  Unplugging for a whole week was a rejuvenating vacation in itself! 🙂 Also, I realized–belatedly–that traveling with a group of friends leaves little room for writing, since every moment is spent shopping, eating, sightseeing, or talking, drinking & laughing into the wee hours.  By the time Ito & I would enter our room, I’d just have enough energy to relax in a hot bath & brush my teeth before quickly falling asleep.  Suffice it to say, that we all had a lot of FUN! Here are some initial pics from our “Turning Japanese” trip… JR cracking us up even before we left the tarmac Overlooking Osaka This could be the cover of an indie album, LOL!  Erika, JR, Arvin, Anne, John, Ito (& me) in Amerikamura Unlimited day passes on the subway were our best friend–especially when we’d get lost It’s finally fall!  Temperatures drop & we layer up even more Taking a...

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Pack & Fly

Yay!  We’re following up our (busy) staycation with a short vacation 🙂  After the recent four-day weekend when Ito and I had lots to do work-wise, we’re hieing off with a group of friends to Osaka and doing some side trips to nearby towns.  Last year, when visiting Tokyo & Kyoto for the first time to celebrate my birthday, I knew we would be visiting Japan again because I had fallen in love with the country, but I never thought we would be ‘turning Japanese’ again this soon, LOL! I’m looking forward to trying out interesting dishes in Osaka…but definitely not this one! 😮 Click on this link…Dancing Squid Bowl Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this...

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No Tricks, All Treats

Last October 30, Ito and I made our way to SMX to watch one of the last shows on the final day of Philippine Fashion Week.  We were running a little late since our long weekend had been a busy one, but thanks to most people being out of town we ran into little traffic and made it to the venue in the nick of time. We were there to see Sassa Jimenez present her latest spring/summer collection, and seated beside us were Sassa’s ever-supportive and doting family, our good friends Abby & Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez and daughter Nina.  After all the stress and nerves that putting on a big collection induces in every designer, it was such a treat to see how Sassa had evolved as a fashion designer since she first burst onto the scene 3 years ago. Along with designers Noel Crisostomo and FDCP member Jerome Ang (who opened the show with a live band beating out a tribal rhythm throughout his 45-piece presentation), Sassa’s signature exuberance was in full view in a sea of tulle painstakingly tucked, pleated, frayed & twisted into petticoated dresses & ballgowns. What I appreciated most about the three collections (other than all the intricate handwork!) was the diversity in points of view for spring/summer 2012, from Jerome’s glitzy, tribal glamazons, to Noel’s utilitarian, sporty take on luxe ladies, to...

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