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So I've returned from my week abroad in the East, and if you can't grok the sublime beauty of a train car so full of people that the station pays people to shove everyone in so the doors can close, well then, buddy, lemme tell ya: neither can I. So don't feel bad.
But I promise that's not my main impression of the great city of Tokyo. I loved it, honest. I would like to live there some day. The people were very polite wherever I went, although not exactly warm and friendly. But politeness is all I ask of anyone I meet, really. When the pictures get developed, I'll post them.
Memorable places and events:
Ginza. Like New York's fifth avenue, but even more outrageously expenxsive. Supposedly it's got some of the most expensive property on the planet, with a square meter running about $32,000 american. In Ginza you'll find the
Sony Center. I played Devil May Cry 2 (for the Playstation 2), which is really sweet, by the way. Really, really tiny phones and computers everywhere. A lot of neat stuff.
Harajuku. The fashion! The people! Tiny little miniskirts everywhere, despite the near freezing weather. Decent food for westerners like myself. Wonderful people watching. Also, it's right next to the Meiji Shrine, which is a good place for pictures. While inside, I noticed a wooden gate that was not locked very securely, so I treated myself to a little inside tour of the places not for tourists. lotta fun. Nothing like a little breaking and entering in holy places to liven up a day, but try explaining that to the group of school girls who caught me coming out (especially when you don't speak Japanese). One thing I've learned: a disarming smile is a wonderful thing to have in a foreign country. Also useful: a good set of running shoes.
Kubichiko. The spelling may be wrong on this one. Another thing I've learned: when a map booklet describes a portion of the city's nightlife as "vibrant", they really mean "sleazy". I can't remember the last time I was offered so many blowjobs. Still, there were street vendors selling DMT for relatively cheap, so it's worth going back next time I'm in Tokyo. And even here, the people were incredibly polite. God I love Tokyo...
Ikebukuro. I stayed here for a few nights in an 8ft by 8ft room decorated with a bed, table, and a lightbulb. Very...cozy. This section of the city had the Metro Art Space, which was neat. Also a few department stores, so it was metropolitan and residential at the same time. Very cool.
Finally, I had the great pleasure of seeing the January Sumo tournement, which has quickly become my favorite sport (christ, who saw that coming?). The tournement was a plethora of incredibly large men who could move more gracefully than one would suppose just by looking at them. My man Asashoryu, my favorite mongolian wrestler, won the tournement and will probably make Yokozuna, which is cool. I plan to follow Sumo for a while. Great stuff.
So much more stuff! But I'll wait for the pictures to get developed. |
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