Bright lights, big city
Trip Start
Oct 18, 2003
1
2
13
Trip End
Dec 21, 2005
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Saturday, October 18, 2003
19.14 pm (Japan-time)
On Japanese soil now, and on my way out to my friend J's after a weird and freaky descent through thick cloud and warnings of (mild) turbulence. We were approaching the runway and yet still had no idea how high we were, and it was weird knowing that you were close and still being able to see so little ...
There's something cool about being in the big city, though!
I had a little bit of a rude awakening on arrival when I tried to make some arrangements for a later part of the trip, and was told by the tourist information service/ ticket office that they had no knowledge of the bus I wanted to book, and suggested I sort it out when I arrive in Takayama in a few days time. And then I couldn't even work out the ticket gate at the station. This lovely sympathetic woman came over and helped out, asking if it was my first time in Japan. I, embarrassed, said no, but it sure felt like it tonight!
I was in shock a little bit, actually, I think!! This is just so incongruous with the experiences I had over the two years when I actually lived in Japan. People who say they can't help you, and tell you basically to bugger off and sort it out elsewhere.
There's something about being in a big city that's very alienating. Especially when things like this happen. But the world doesn't owe me a living. And it's good to learn a new level of independence .. !!!
Anyway, I'm now on the Narita Express from the airport into Tokyo. It is exciting being back in Japan - in that I've made so many wonderful memories here, and am all psyched to make more. But it's dark and I'm tired and I realised on the plane that I now have no fixed address. I suppose that's a lot to get used to, especially when you haven't had any time to process the concept ...
19 October 2003
00.25 am
After meeting J at Oyamadai Station, we had a nice dinner at his local Izakaya [bar] (noticing to my surprise that they sold whale meat there - which I've found in my experiences in Japan to date to be relatively unusual) and a relaxed chat. Very nice!! This is what life's supposed to be like when you're on holidays! I couldn't believe how small and narrow everything was, though. The Izakaya, and the pavements, and everything. I need to orient myself to Japanese sizes again.
20 October 2003
01.03 am
Started late yesterday, with a nice sleep-in until about 11 am (which I really needed)! Had a full and enjoyable day sightseeing. I can't believe how fast the time's flown by, though. It's time to say goodbye to J and move on again before I've even gotten used to being here.
I loved wandering about Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama with J and L today, reaquainting myself with everything I used to love so much about being in Japan, and discovering some cool new things for the first time - the bread shop we bought breakfast from, umi no hotaru - the parking station in the middle of Tokyo Bay - and its great views, electronic goods shopping at Yodobashi camera (bought a great XD card to USB port converter), coffee at Starbucks at Kawasaki, and dinner and coffee at Chinatown in Yokohama.
Amused by the jitensha [bicycle] avalanche we were able to look down on from our vantage point at Starbucks!!
Also amused, as ever, by some of the stranger English language t-shirts you see here. Spotted in Chinatown, a girl in a t-shirt saying "Loser" on the front, and "I have my eyes shut tight" on the back.
Must sleep now, though, as it's an early start tomorrow to try and beat the peak hour rush (a nightmare with a backpack) and get to Takayama as early as possible so I can make the arrangements for the rest of the trip.
Up in 3.5 hours!!!
