Walking/Cat Cafes/Sakura/Subways/Stumbling happy people and just cool people.
Where do I begin? Every ONE day feels like four days of experiences. I love every moment of it. My experiences here have been fits of laughter, fits of being touched on how sincere it feels or moments of saying to myself "What is going on here?".
Yesterday (Monday) we started off the day heading back to Harajuku. It is one train station stop from Shibuya. We went to the Meiji Temple first off. It is directly next to the Harajuku district. As soon as you enter the temple gates, it is as if you have entered another world. It is heavily lined with trees. All of the sudden, you feel as if you are not in Tokyo. You feel as if you are in a quiet forest in a remote location in Japan. Before entering the temple, it is required that you wash your hands and clean your mouth. There was a well located outside of the temple. We did just that.
The temple was beautiful. I had no idea what was going on however loud drums were being played and several people dressed in white where marching in a flow into the temple.
I wanted to write a blessing and thanks on paper. I also wrote intentions on a cedar wood block as well for my family, friends and pets. It was touching just how I remember doing this in 2009. Before I left, I also purchased a good luck charm in finding work. I carry it in my bag. Its beautiful.
After temple, we decided to better explore Harajuku. We decided to go through the smaller streets. What we found was just awesome. We found the best shopping, the most fashionable people and the coolest bars/restaurants and coffee shops ever. If you think San Francisco wins first prize for this, you are wrong. Tokyo's real Harajuku is ten billion times better. Nick and I were amazed and it took some time to take it in. Every where we looked, we just couldn't believe all the cool stores that were in front of us. The shop assistants were so nice, so helpful and constantly where screaming something in Japanese as we looked at their items. It was not hostile but I believe they were welcoming us (Miyuki told me this last time I was here. She always laughed at me because I would say thank you to them. She told me "You do not need to say anything. They are just welcoming you"). Nick and I needed Japanese shoes. We noticed everyone had stylist tennis shoes. Now I know why they do. It's because they walk SO much. Everyday we have been logging in 10-13 miles walking.
I noticed that since we have arrived in Japan and with walking so much, my body will start to shut down while walking. All of the sudden, I will feel the ground move a bit. It is my cue to stop and get some food. Nick and I have been both experiencing this. We get so "involved" with what's around us that we forget to get food!
For lunch yesterday, we ate in a Italian place that looked promising. No one spoke any English. We were already about to be seated when I realized that people still smoke while eating in Japan. It didn't bother me too much but it was interesting to see. We received our menus and everything was in Kanji, no pictures - uh oh. When our waiter come up to us, I had to hand gesture my way through this. We asked for beer (that part was easy). I then waited for the people seating in front of us to order. When our waiter came back to us, I just pointed to what the other guests had. It worked! We had a delicious pasta with seafood - success! The couple in front of us giggled. I then gestured at the menu and gestured that I had no idea what I was doing. We all laughed.
After lunch, we decided to go to Shinjuku. Shinjuku is really loud like Shibuya but I would say that it was a lot louder. I would compare it to Time Square in New York but louder and busier. They did have the most perfect looking fruit. I saw a perfect looking cantaloupe for 5000 yen (around 50 American dollars). The reason we wanted to go to Shinjuku was for one reason only - to visit a cat cafe. For those who are not familiar with what a cat cafe is, it is just as it sounds. A place to have a drink or a beer, a snack and to play with cats. As you enter the cafe, you are instructed to remove your shoes, wash your hands and put your items away in a locker. As soon as we entered, there were cats everywhere, all different breeds and colors. This particular cat cafe was two levels with a city view. We went upstairs in which we were greeted by a waitress. We asked for two beers and some food to feed the cats. As soon as we got the cat food (I believed it was chicken meat), the cats semi-swarmed us. The cats were friendly enough however they didn't care to be petted, they wanted to the food. All the cats were diva's and it felt they they knew it. It felt like a strip club, give me money but don't touch sort of deal! Nonetheless, it was a great and relaxing experience.
After the cat cafe, we left back to Harajuku to have some drip coffee. It was super tasty. We then took a look at some more shops. By the way, there were so many men's stores. To all the men who complain about a lack of men's stores - just go to Tokyo. Your dreams will be filled. They have the best vintage stores ever. It the best quality and pretty affordable.
After Harajuku, we went back to the hotel for a split second to drop off our purchases. We then changed into our Tokyo style tennis shoes and WOW - what a difference! I get it now. Our feet felt so much better and this is the exact reason why all Tokyo dwellers were Nike or New Balance. My feet were thanking me!
We headed out to Kudanshita station in which we were to meet Miyuki, her sister and her sister's husband, Sam. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find Miyuki but she found me. We both screamed and hugged. It was so good to see her again. So many years have passed! I brought her some gifts from the US. I then realized I hope it isn't "weird" to have done that. I think she loved it.
After finding each other, we went to experience Sakura around the palace. The river next to the temple was lined with beautiful cherry blossoms. Every one was slowly walking and taking pictures. Every one out was so happy! As we walked, we saw people who have set up a picnic near the river. They were drinking heavily and snacking. Sam told us that this blossoming happens one time a year and that all Japanese are excited to party about it. Apparently, they drink a lot and party it up. After the blossoming is over, he said the Japanese get very depressed. I started laughing at that point but it made sense.
Near the cherry blossoms, they had a large tent set up in which vendors of Japanese fast food snacks lined the area. There were a large amount of tables filled with drunk Japanese men and women. It was packed and it was Monday night. The streets were filled with drunk people, laughing and stumbling back to their train stations. I have never seen anything like it. In American, if you have that many drunk people, unfortunately it results into some sort of violence. This is not the case in Japan. It was so safe, humors and you just had to watch out for the stumbling happy business men and women.
For dinner last night, we ate traditional Japanese food. It was hidden in some back alley behind another back alley over to the right then to the left and past a fox shine. If you ask me where or how I got there - I will never know! I am very happy to have experienced this type of food but it wasn't really something I would come back to. Let's just say that it was very "fresh" tasting. It was a great experience though. We had great dinner guests.
At this point, I was brain dead. If anyone knows me, you know when I get brain dead - I am like a zombie. I can't talk. If I do talk, I make no sense. My feet and shins were in such pain that I had to hobble back to the train station. I just followed Nick and soon enough, we were back to our hotel. I washed my face and as soon as I hit the pillow - I was out.
We are planning to go on a bike ride with Miyuki, Sam and Miyuki's sister. We were thinking about going around the palace. Here are some interesting conversations pieces we had over dinner:
- The tax just moved up to 8% from 5%. Sam explained to us that in typical fashion, Japanese people were jump at any moment for cost savings. Since Sam and his wife just moved to Tokyo, they needed appliances for their new place however with everyone buying a new appliance in order to have cost savings, it is now taking two weeks to get their appliances. He explained it generally takes a day for delivery. Sam explained that the culture will jump immediately in order to have any sort of cost savings. It made us laugh.
- I asked about the unemployment rate. They stated that it was 4% and that the Japanese were very worried about it. WOW only 4%! In the US its about 10% and will probably stay that way. Our guests then explained that the Japanese tend to live in a "bubble" where everything is exaggerated. To them, 4% was insane to them.
- We asked about how hard it is to live in Tokyo. They stated that if you asked a Japanese person, they would say it is very hard. If you ask anyone else who lives there, they say it is a lot cheaper than any major city in the US. The food is cheap, you do not need a car and work is easier to find. Again - an example of the living in a "bubble".
- Our guests explained that it is easy to have a good life here. One of their non-Japanese friends live here easily. One is a English teacher and the other makes specialty toys. They live well and happy. This is VERY intriguing.
Okay. That's just some highlights of yesterday. I need to start this day! I will upload a ton of pictures. Unfortunately, I didn't get a whole lot of pictures last night. I was brain dead and just taking it all in.
Personal note: It has been refreshing to just watch and think. I told Nick at lunch that my perspective has really been messed with regarding my last employer. He simply said "Yes". I then asked "are my goals too big hence I keep getting rejected?". He said yes but you need them. I feel okay about that. In perspective, it is just a little speck. :D
*** I didnt spell check this.. in a hurry! :)
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