It was worth losing my feet.

[lamora]

Took Adiva off to the Skyliner at Ueno. We didn't have much of a goodbye, but she had like, ten minutes to find/catch the Keisei. Long farewells ne'er were necessary in my book, so it's cool. I hope she made it okay!

My feet were not ready for movement. : / I thought they were going to fall right off at the ankles when I got to Ueno. And then I had to go back. But speaking of going back... I got to experience the throes of Tokyo Morning Rush Hour for the first time. Lots and lots of people. <= Understatement of the century.

However! This is cool, guys: because the Japanese love their ritual and orderly fashion and efficiency, they have pedestrian traffic controllers. Yes, the transit department actually employs a whole bunch of controllers to make sure people stand in line for subways, walk where they are supposed to walk, proceed in an orderly fashion so no one gets hurt, etc. They either yell over the crowds or talk through megaphones, they supervise people cramming onto trains and have the power to make you stop and wait for the next one (every thirty seconds, pretty much, so no big.)

It was amazing. Also, I accidentally ended up in a Women Only car which was pretty neat, because there weren't nearly as many women, so there was a lot of breathing room. The men were squashed against the windows in the next car over. Sorry, boys! : /

I had planned on going back to sleep for a while, but I'm awake and off my feet, so... pictures!

From 18-Mar-10

I DOUBT IT.

I don't remember where we were when I took this picture:

From 18-Mar-10

Maybe near Kabukicho, or still in Shinjuku? I am not sure! But it was a busy place, like... like most of Japan, now that I think of it.

That afternoon, we went to Harajuku, to Takeshita-dori:

From 18-Mar-10

Which is essentially the hip alleyway to which teenagers flock for peeks at the latest trends or an after-school retreat. With the exception of the Y100 Store (akin to the dollar store), I was like, the oldest person on the street. Well, me and that one salaryman, who looked equally out of place. It was a total "what are all these kids doing on my lawn?" moment. Some cute little shops, though.

And then we went to Gokokuji:

From 18-Mar-10

It is an old, old temple from the Edo period, surviving since 1680! Decrepit old shrines are more to my taste. And age.

From 18-Mar-10

HE IS WATCHING YOUUUUU.

From 18-Mar-10

From 18-Mar-10

You guys, seriously, this place will give me nightmares.

From 18-Mar-10

Shrine cats! I counted at least seven of these guys, and they are accustomed to people wandering around their temple, so if urged they will come right up for a scratching behind the ears -- and then follow you for a bit.

I'm going to move in with this guy:

From 18-Mar-10

He's doing well for himself in there.

(Psst, Adiva: the chambermaids are cleaning up the mess the boys left, and though I can't understand everything they're saying, I can tell they are disgusted and not pleased. I wonder if they will say anything.)

This has been such an incredible experience. I love the fact that everyone is so polite, that you hear J-pop or American rap and hip-hop in stores, and that posters of Koda Kumi advertise Coke Zero. I like that you can get cold or hot drinks out of vending machines wherever you go, that people have larger cell phone charms than they do cell phones -- and that unlike North Americans, who will contemplate an eclectic fashion choice and think, "When would I wear this?" the Japanese will think, "Hey, I own it, I am going to wear it." I like that high-class female companionship/entertainment has nothing to do with sex, that people flock to Maid Cafes to play childish games, and that if you are overworked and no one cares about your troubles, you can go to a Host/Hostess club and someone will pretend to care for you as long as you pay for drinks.

Japan is definitely a kind all of its own, and I think everyone should visit it at least once. It's really something you have to experience for yourself, and there is something for everyone.

So... happy graduation, huh? Since I already got my present, I guess I should do some homework and make sure I actually graduate. Boy, would that be embarrassing! ;P


For all the pictures, go here.

Thanks for reading!