It is actually 2013 in Tokyo City, Japan and I have now celebrated the coming of this new year. I had good time celebrating it with my friends I am staying with. We had soba noodles in the evening and then went out after midnight to ring a large ceremonial bell for the new year day. We stood in a line with many others that rang the bell but eventually we approached it and came closer. Before we got there, I threw a ten yen coin in a box with the others. That is done to request a wish for the new year...I wished for something. Let us hope it comes true. When we got up there, I rang the bell. I had never done that before but the good Japanese people I am staying with has never gone there either so it was new for all of us. Ringing the bell is done for good luck for the year. I am of course hopeful for good things to happen this year. I hope that others can find reasons to wish for good things too.

Happy New Year 2013