The Boston Symphony traveled to Nagoya for the first leg of our Japan tour. The city is beautifully modern yet full of history and the people are absolutely wonderful! Most of us were quite jet-lagged on the first free morning after our evening arrival however, we took the first opportunity to warm up in the room provided by the Hotel on the top floor.
Associate Principal Trumpet, Tom Siders warms up at the beginning of day 1.
The top floor of the hotel had gorgeous views of the city that helped us all get a lay of the land for walking off the jetlag throughout our first day. The city has quite a few historic landmarks, the most exciting of which is the Castle Nagoya, built in the 16th century as well as beautiful parks, greenery, and waterways lightly salted throughout the town.
This hi-tech hotel toilet makes me nervous.....
Around the hotel, things are familiar things but all in Japanese characters. English is often spoken at the hotel, but for the most part is hard to come by after we leave. But like most places in the world, smiles and gestures are a way to navigate social and service conversations without too much trouble.
..... and it sounds, AWESOME!!
Oddly enough, there is a 3 story YAMAHA music store near the hotel and that was stop number 1 for Associate Principal Horn, Gus Sebring and me. Whenever we get together, I always seem to be daring him to buy a new instrument. Today I prevailed as he did purchase a Melodica which sounds utterly fantastic!! This shot is of him jamming with a few improvised riffs in his hotel room shortly after the purchase!
