What's New in January and February, 2000
Year 2000
When the end of the year comes, the houses along Fulton street in Palo Alto are decorated with illuminations, and people enjoy the sights(Left). But, it disappears at 9 o'clock at night. It is probably trouble for people who live there to have visitors come late at night. Well, we gave up seeing the sunrise on New Year's Day for 2000 because the forecast was that the weather wasn't good. It led us to participate in an American-type New Year party which was suggested by Takeshi as a substitute. But, because the rumor was that there might be Y2K problem and riots, Toru and Takeshi went to downtown Palo Alto instead of San Fransisco. (Haruka couldn't go because he caught a cold and was disappointed.) Rock music was heard with laser lights, and the count-down began in the open space of the central square. Right after the countdown was exactly finished and the New Year came, the circle of the dance was done(Right). Toru and Takeshi joined in this circle after this. But, the policemen watched for a riot, and it was disappointment because the dance was dispersed in 30 minutes.
Friends' visit (Toru)
Because the friends from junior high school visited USA, Toru spent several days in Lan Vegas and Los Angeles with them. The left photo was taken at the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park. He experienced a scary time in a small airplane for 8 passengers when he visited Grand Canyon National Park 10 years ago, this time it was easy because the airplane was rather big for about 40 passengers. But, from the viewpoint of the scenary from the plane, the previous flight was better because the plane flew just above the canyon. The right photo was taken at Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. They visited the house where Marilyn Monroe lived. Next day they visited Universal Studio, where they met with Marilyn Monroe's look-alike and took photos with her. She was frolicsome knowing that Toru's first name is Yama"saki" which was the same pronounciation as Japanese "sake". After going back to Silicon Valley, Toru found that there was a wine named as "Marilyn Merlot" whose label uses an attractive Marilyn Monroe's photo and bought it impulsively. (But the taste was not so good.)
Skyline Boulvard
When people go to the Pacific Ocean from Silicon Valley, they must get over the mountain in which San Andreas fault is running through. Skyline Boulvard runs to traverse the summit of a mountain, and there are several places to get wonderful views like this photograph. Then the mountain on the other side of the San Francisco bay is seen in the distance, and before that the bay can be seen as a blue belt, and Palo Alto especially Stanford University can be seen on the left of the center. It is probably a golf course in the green area. As a matter of fact, the family planed to see the sunrise on New Year's Day of this year at this point, but it was given up because the weather was bad as already stated. There is winery called Thomas Fogarty along this road. A view from the restaurant is wonderful like this though that wine isn't thought to be so delicious. The night view of Silicon Valley from there was so beautiful, when Toru's company held their Christmas party last year at the winery.
Pillar Point (Toru & Junko)
It goes to Halfmoon Bay when it gets over the mountain above. The cape of Pillar Point is at the north end of the bay and the area named Marverick of the coastal waters is a famous place for the big wave which is good for surfing. The convention of surfing is held at the time of good conditions of the wave every year. Toru and Junko visited there because it was reported that the convention was exactly held yesterday by a newspaper. The left photo shows the person who came with the same purpose watching the wave. The right photo shows the wave, whose height was still considerably high though it might not be as big as yesterday. Not only surfing but also sea kayaking seemed to be popular around here, many people were seen practicing.
There were many seafood restaurants at Pillar Point. This is the photo taken in front of Princeton Seafood Co. when Toru and Junko visit there again in the next week. Toru had a delicious Dangeness crab. But, crab paste, the most delicious part of the crab for Japanese, isn't served in America basically. Although the crab paste of Dangeness Crab isn't so delicious, it is diappointing. The reverse side of this store is a fish shop, and sometimes they sell raw sea urchins. But, it wasn't sold this time. If you go ahead a bit more, there is another seafood restaurant called Barbara's Fishtrap Restaurant, and as a matter of fact, the clam chowder of the restaurant was very delicious with various ingredients of a rustic taste. It is several grades better than the one the restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco serves.
Basketball school (Takeshi)
Takeshi participated in three-month basketball school twice a week which was held by YMCA. A team consists of students who participate from the various high schools. This photo was taken when Takeshi shot in a practice game. Takeshi did good though he was the only one Japanese on the team.