Tokyo 2012

---

Tokyo

Been here for a week and I honestly think this is the weirdest place in the world. Where else would you have people walking their monkeys on leads in the street, people taking down germ protection masks to smoke, and people on TV competing to not laugh for the longest when put in comedy situations then hit with a rubber baton. People are constantly asleep on the tube but never miss their stops as there is this weird ice cream van-esque noise that plays at the stops! You buy food and drink by vending machines that give you tickets which you then pass on to someone who works there.

I swear we have been in every direction possible on the underground but I get no wiser each time!

Jet lag is a cruel thing so have used it to our advantage and detriment. When we woke up a god forsaken hour we headed to the fish market to see the early morning catch (tube was packed at 5am and we thought for office work but turns out no just for the fish market!) and to our detriment at the Golden Gia where we had to stay up all night to get the first tube back as they stop at 12 and taxis charge by the 100m barrier -urgh!

Folk are really lovely and make such an effort but am trying my best with the language following the podcasts. Although I was frightfully put out when a　transexual whip and healed boot clad man told me I was being far too formal! The ichitoko (sp? - random Japanese spirit) soon sorted that out!

Anyway さよなら for now. I need to get out this manga cafe as I think the bods in the booth behind us are moaning a little too much for my liking in this dark and hot place and I have finished my ice cream!

Lots of love

A x x

---

Photos

Imperial Palace
At the imperial palace saying hello to the emperor at his address

Geisha
Geisha at the national museum at Uedo following new year performance

View from Rainbow Bridge
Half way over the bridge looking back at Tokyo

Strangest Looking Building so Far
View from Rainbow Bridge to new reclaimed land - very odd!!

Shibuya Crossing
On a quiet day...

My New Best Friend
Their eyes met across the tiny living room sized bar in Golden Gai.... they were destined to be together for the rest of the night

Neil and his life long love
You can take the boy out of 'The Cockpit'...

Harajuku back streets
Off wandering down alleyways again

Electric Guitar Heaven!
Possibly the most expensive photo ever to be taken in a music shop. Neil nearly dropped the one he tried out!

Comments

[Raphael]

nice blog! Good stuff for one week!
You may discover a lot the first three months of your stay. Need a few years to understand a bit of the Japanese mysteries.