We arrive into Tokyo in the evening, and by the time we get to our Ryokan hotel its late. Too late to eat properly as most of the restaurants in the area are closing…so we find ourselves out on the hunt, ending up at the local 7/11. This is like an open late, well stocked service station (N.Z/AUS/U.K), and after much looping of the shop floor, we finally agree on an eclectic mix of sweet and savory. Nothing is meant to be eaten together naturally but…so my first night in Japan, I am having the equivalent of a “mince pie” but its the Japanese version of a packed box of soba noodles (that also probably were supposed to be heated but…), and it still GOOD!!!
For the next 3 days we wonder round Tokyo’s Shinjuku (Entertainment), Ginza (Beauty/Boutiques/Department stores – come on, I was once a Ginza girl once upon a time), Shibuya (The home of Harajuku and the big dog – well…), and Akihabara (Electric city aka Electronic city) districts, and so far I LOVE EVERYTHING!!! I know Im not the first person to ever come to Japan and rave, but this place is SOOOO COOL!! Japan taps into my inner Virgo (the anal one and the shopping one…so far!!).
Meeting up in Tokyo, with my good friend Saiko after 6 years, was a highlight – she is my “Colourful, not Crazy friend (quote – one of my long and happy stories). Saiko showed us around her old teen angst haunt of Harajuku, and enjoyed my mission of finding the perfect blue wig (still looking…). She’s also the one that started the suggestion of living in Tokyo, which has been gaining momentum (in my beautiful world) since then (dont worry just yet mum). I spent most of the afternoon airing my new word in unison with her through all the specialist shops – KAWAII, KAWAII, KAWAII!! (Means CUTE or SUPER CUTE). We’ve made a plan on our last night in Tokyo, to meet up for some shochu and kareoke – ohhh I hope we can make that happen (especially if I can find that wig)!
After Tokyo, we take the Sinkansen (Bullet train) down to Nagoya to see Deans brother Mark and Family. Nagoya is one of Japans biggest industrial cities, and its a lot quieter than Tokyo. Kazuyo, (Marks wonderful wife) takes us to the supermarket and mall, where she has to deal with both Deans and my jet-lagged ups and downs (STILL), and love of foreign malls – it did take longer than expected. Along with the jet-lag we both still have (D also has a cold), I have swollen legs since the flight, still (which ive NEVER had for this long and, will teach me for insisting on a window i spose) and have succumbed to a purchase of some nana support night socks (im thinking more flight socks, but they are purple/mauve. Lets hope they start working soon, otherwise I may have to see the doctor – its our second night together.
Tomorrow we train it to Kyoto, and will be using it as a base for the next week…so enough of the shopping…lets roll on the temples!!!
Sayonara for now,
Standby…
WheresRu 