Ode to the Japanese.

More on the heat. After profusely sweating for three hours at the Palace, I decided that there must be something to the scores of Japanese and Chinese tourists that walk around with their umbrellas opened all the time. I had been carrying my umbrella for the rain, but decided -- if the Japanese are doing it, well, so am I. And I can report -- they are right. Its not perfect, not even close, but is so nice not have the sun beating down on your head all day.

Here's how I also know it works -- Jason made so much fun of me for hiding under my umbrella. He thought it was too funny for words. (Especially when I whacked a small child in the head with the end of the umbrella - I apologised a million times, but the child remained very angry with me! Rightly so!)

As the day went on, however, I noticed Jason creeping ever closer and closer to my umbrella. And finally he asked if he could stand under it with me! Think about this. Jason is much taller than I. My umbrella is baby pink. There was no rain and neither of us is Japanese. But I was vindicated! And so the umbrella is the newest staple of my sightseeing kit. Rain or shine! :)