Where are we going Gemini?

So, I must admit, our knowledge of where we want to go and what we want to see here in Tokyo is a bit limited. I’m definitely excited to go to the Imperial Palace, but mostly I’m just excited to experience the culture and the food! So as Denise has told me multiple times since we boarded the plane, she plans to channel her Ephesians 5:22-24 and submit to my directions while here (If anyone knows Denise, you know her idea of “submit” is usually a punch to the solar plexus!). Anyway, she’s says I have the lead, so Marty, what are we going to do…..

Glad you asked, Marty is going to ask Gemini AI and see what it comes up with for a quick afternoon cultural walk and light lunch to slowly work our way into Tokyo life! I must say, Gemini did pretty good. As Shrek might say, that’ll do Gemini, that’ll do.

We started out with a nice stroll through Tokyo from Darren’s apartment heading to Atago Jinja shrine, a Shinto Temple, and the Success Steps. It’s said a samurai climbed the steps on his horse in the 1600’s to deliver a plum blossom to the Shogun and was immediately promoted. So if you climb the 86 stone steps, it will bring career success, good fortune, and personal triumphs! Mine will be if Denise doesn’t punch me before we are through with these tours!

The area was beautiful and is also known as the highest point in the Tokyo district.

Fun side note: the walking directions also took us by the US Embassy which is not far from Darren’s apartment and is on the way to the shrine. As we were walking down the street, we tried to cross over to the sidewalk in front of the embassy as we needed to veer to the right. There were police and security everywhere, and we were quickly and politely moved back across the street. Further ahead as we worked our way in the direction we needed to go, there was a note saying they had extra protection around the embassy in case of terrorists. My question was, what if I was just trying to get to the Embassy, they didn’t seem interested in letting us go that route! 🤷‍♂️ Fortunately, we didn’t need to go, so it all worked out.Read more