In light of the news about Jean-Luc Godards death, I’ve revisited some of his films. Une Femme est Une Femme & A Bout De Souffle (Breathless) the OG version - although the 80s Richard Gere version brings a smile to my face. It reminds me of when my cousin and I were kids and we’d try and pause the video tape on RG’s 🍆 .

A Bout De Souffle - Jean Seberg (Patricia) in a cloud of smoke from naughty boy Jean-Paul Belmondo (Michel)

Anyway, French New Wave was my jam when I was a pretentious film student many moons ago, and I’m happy that I have revisited it because I think it’s opened up a new/old portal in my head.

I love the film’s disjointed editing, breaking the fourth wall, and the jukeboxes. My favourite scene from Bande à Part where they are dancing is just cinema at its best for me!

Vivre sa vie - Anna Karina crying whilst watching Joan of Arc.

I’m not sure his films from the 60s would pass the Bechdel Test but there’s always a cool AF leading lady. Usually with great clothes and hair. Fringe goals!

I can’t wait to go and discover more French New Wave films. I dipped my toe in with Jean-Luc Godard & François Truffaut. But there’s so much more!

R.I.P JLG!

In August 2019 I travelled around Japan -
Tokyo - Nagoya - Gero - Takayama - Tokyo - Hakone - Osaka - Hiroshima -Kyoto - Nara - aaand back to Tokyo.
(Thank you bullet trains! I highly recommend getting a JR train pass if you want to go all over the country)

So, in 2019? And why am I only writing about it now? Well it’s because I’m making CONTENT now. I’ve realised instagram has served its time, and it’s just becoming a place where ancient millennials like me shrug and moan for the good ol’ times. So time to step away and make my website accessible!
I’ve been doing courses on SEO and who would have thunk it, it’s not CEO - it’s something very, very different! :)
So now I have a BLOG ok!

Japan was my first time doing ‘travelling’, at the ripe ol’ age of 32. And I naively took a backpack, thinking that’s what you do when traveling anywhere, you know…like all my friends did in their teens and 20s.
You don’t need a backpack traveling around Japan’s cities in your 30s, just take a suitcase!
Japan is humid AF in July/August, and with the added layer of backpack, it was like carrying a sweaty toddler.

I’d never experienced humidity quite like this before. My hair transformed into a ‘Sideshow Bob’ rather than the French bob I was used to. I had to eventually get it a professional involved to tame the beast.

So, yeah if you’re planning to travel in July/August, expect crazy weather. Take a suitcase. Shave your head!

Vegan Food

Enjoying an onigiri in Gero by the water. My feet are resting in the water after a long walk. — Enjoying an onigiri by the water in Gero

Around Japan in 80 Umeboshi Onigiris
Well, almost. They were my emergency food out of the cities. For those who’re not in the know (I didn’t know) they are little triangles of rice wrapped in seaweed, with various fillings. The only vegan option at the time was plum, maybe they have others now. It was 3 years ago :)

T’s Tantan - Chiyoda-ku train station. Vegan ramen with my cousin Meg.

Vegans and Veggies, if you haven’t already download the Happy Cow App and you’ll be pretty safe where ever you go. Here are some places I found on my travels. Most have links to click on :)

T's Tantan Vegan Ramen

Good Town Doughnuts

Nirvana Ramen

Falafel in Tokyo

Engine Ramen

Pettirosso Kyoko

Tacos in Kyoto

Kuppila

Noguchiya - tofu restaurant

Macro bento

Okonomiyaki

Yummy looking sandwich

Vegan Tapas Nara

Buddha Bowl

Chips from the Aldgate Pub

Ok airport sandwich

Must Visits in Japan

Art

Naoshima - ‘art island’. Famous for Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkins. It’s very small, so you can hire a bike to get around, or go on foot like me, who is scared of bikes. I soon regretted it! It was soooo hot!

Hakone Open-air Gallery - just outside of Tokyo, you get to travel on a very cute train to get there. Set aside a full day of exploring here. Like Yorkshire Sculpture park, but 100% more humid.

Teamlab - Tokyo. A trippy light show to end all light shows! Also would recommend a full day here.

History

Peace Park and Social Book Cafe Hachidorisha, Hiroshima

Talk with an a-bomb survivor. A haunting recollection of the day, but delivered by such a peaceful man. A must when you are in Hiroshima.

Higashiyama Walking Course - Takayama

I did this on my own, in the rain, listening to sad music. You don’t need an expensive tour guide if you’re good at following signs. It was a beautiful tour around the shrines and temples. Watch out for bears.

The O-Torii (Grand Torii Gate) - Miyajima

I just accidentally deleted an hours worth of blogging so this last slog has been tough. Apologies if it tailed off towards the end. :)
Note to self - make a word file you wally!!

Ok, that’s it from me. Thank you for coming to my blog. Was it ok for you?

JJ xxx

Jean-Luc Godard - RIP

Japan adventure - In search of vegan food & art

Vegan Food

Must Visits in Japan

Art

History

Search Posts

Sign up to my newsletter - cats and content