The problem with being an incredibly busy person is that sometimes… we bite off more than we can chew (who made up that saying?). Honestly, I’m working a full-time job, traveling lake a lunatic, trying to maintain a relationship, keeping up with friends and family and running a marathon here and there…. Neh, I’m not busy. Yeah, right (Can anyone relate?). I have so much I want to write about and share but recently, when the infrequent moments come that I can sit down, I’m just too tired. I can’t wait to write more about my trip to Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver, as well as my little run in Maui this past weekend. And, now … I’m packing yet again, for Frequent Traveler University in Tampa, Florida. I know you won’t believe this but I absolutely hate to pack.
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about a trip I’m planning to Japan. As you might know from a recent post, I put my name in the lottery hat for the Tokyo Marathon, in February 2014. Well, that was not meant to be – there were over 300,000 applicants. Only 30,000 were chosen and I wasn’t one of them. Fear not – I decided recently that I want to run the Kyoto Marathon. Visiting Kyoto sounds so divine – I’m looking forward to seeing the beautiful city, the temples, the shrines, the geishas and even the sumo wrestlers. And, of course, eat the food and taste the sake.
Which brings me to the point of this post (though you’d never know it!). I attended an awesome sake tasting event on Tuesday. It was sponsored by the Newswomen’s Club of New York and held at the Women’s E News Organization‘s office in downtown Manhattan. Walking in, I knew I was in a very special place steeped in history. Women’s eNews covers “women’s issues” and the Newswomen’s Club, founded in 1922, supports women in journalism. It is the only professional organization exclusively for women journalists in the New York metropolitan area, and its membership includes women who work in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, photography and new media. As I walked around Women’s E News’ office, and looked at the pictures on the wall of Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks, as well as a number of poignant political cartoons, I somehow felt proud and knew that I had a lot to thank the women of these organizations for. I am certain they shaped the future for women like me in the professional arena and elsewhere. I could just feel it all around me!
The Newswomen’s Club was having an intimate sake tasting event, and through my luck I was invited to attend. First we were treated to some sushi. After all, we didn’t want to drink sake on an empty stomach.
The masters of ceremony were Sake sommeliers Chris Johnson and Chizuko Nikawa-Helton and Japan travel expert Marian Goldberg. The three educated us on how sake is made, and shared stories, many humorous. Here are some of the different varieties of rice:
The tastings including the Murai Family Sakes from Aomori Prefecture in the Northern Tohoku region of Honshu Island, sakes from Niigata Prefecture, and Omachi Daiginjyo, a dry sake from Tamonohikari sake brewery in the Fushimi area of Kyoto City. They were delicious.
What a lovely night!
At the end, they raffled off a few bottles and look what I won!
This was such a nice night. This was my first sake tasting, but definitely not my last one! I can’t wait to drink more sake. And I can’t wait to visit Japan!!
Want to contact me?
Email: WillRunForMiles@gmail.com
Twitter: @katruns26point2
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
How do you like sake? I’ve never had any!
Thanks for sharing your evening at the sake tasting with us, along with the info about the sponsor and host for the event. I am not a runner but a marathon in Kyoto sounds great – should be a beautiful course. Enjoy FTU!