LAST NIGHT IN TOKYO:
Asakusa, Toyko, Japan.
October 15th, 2013, 7:34pm.
Well, I never really realized that this is our last night in Toyko until now. I'm sort of sad. I really like it here. You can find old or new, and everything in between. It's so interesting! I'd just like to take this time to reflect on a few things about this city that I don't think I mentioned before.
There are vending machines everywhere. But not like the ones back at home. They are really big, and they are wider than they are tall. Instead of displaying what you're actually getting and watching it drop from the dispenser, you press a button beside a fake look-a-like of the product you want. So there's a huge window of what looks like the real deal, but if you look closer, they are just plastic. Speaking of that, every restaurant and place to eat seems to have some sort of display with fake look-a-likes of their food. Walking past all the little shops and restaurants, theres's always plastic food displays hanging on the wall. You'd never know they are fake though! The only way you can tell is because if it were real, it wouldn't be able to stay on the wall!!! They look so real that it still makes me hungry looking at them. And they do a really good job of making them look like the actual meal that they present to you! It's so convenient and visual! I wish we had that in Canada...
Another thing that's interesting is that every area has different paving. (Which Real loves.) It takes us twice as long to walk somewhere because he has to stop and take pictures of the ground all the time! It's really nice to have a change of scenery wherever you go, though.
I've already mentioned this before, but everyone here dresses like they are royalty. They dress so fashionable and proper! I really need to update my wardrobe! It's so difficult to tell the ages of the people walking around, because, well, 1) they're Asian, 2) they dress older than they really are! So it's super confusing! I wish all Japanese stores would just come to Canada. Forever 21 is a huge thing here now though, so that's good- because that's my favourite store!
Another thing is that they drive on the opposite side of the road. Thankfully, we haven't had to drive anywhere, because
I'd probably be dead and wouldn't be writing this right now, but it does still confuse the crap out of us! We are used to walking on the right side of the sidewalk, especially when there's a stampede of people walking around you. Seriously, the best way I can describe it is that it's exactly like the Calgary Stampede grounds, but everywhere, all the time! It's madness! Today we had our first experience being arm to arm with other people in the train. We had all of our stuff... So 2 huge suitcases and 2 stuffed backpacks... Luckily, though, we only had to ride for 3 stops! Any longer and I probably would have gotten claustrophobic.
But as I was saying, everyone walks on the left side of the path, UNLESS it's marked. Usually there are signs or arrows on the ground that say "Keep to the right," or "Keep to the left." It's really frustrating. And having the suitcase made it a hundred times worse because people trip all over you! But we got used to it.
Those are pretty much the basic recap things that I've noticed. I can't think of anything else right now but I'll definitely tell you if I remember any more!
Today we woke up, late again for the fish market... Seriously you have to BE THERE by 3:00am if you want to be let in! They only allow 50 people in! And it's kind of silly because the trains don't start running until 5:30am. Apparently they sell tunas that are as big as dolphins! And they can auction off at up to $10,000! Crazy, huh? That's sort of what we wanted to see, but it was too late.
We spent the day sort of organizing ourselves and relaxing a bit. It rained ALL day. My camera had been acting up, so I decided to go out to Shinjuku where the Nikon Headquarters were to see if they could fix it. The shutter release button isn't working properly, so it won't let me take pictures! I was really upset, I missed the whole day of picture taking yesterday at Kamakura because of it. This was the first time I was on my own, though. Real stayed at the hostel and continued planning, while I walked to the train station by myself. It was peaceful. It was sort of like taking a walk on your own, but with just a hint more of stress... I walked past some homeless people sleeping in a bag in a box, and went straight into the station. Everyone had umbrellas. It looked kind of like some kind of performance. There were only about three different colours of umbrellas. Minus the odd few- but there were only clear, black, and blue ones. So it looked kind of like a dance, and the umbrellas made everyone look uniform. I made it safe and sound to the building, and went up to the 28th floor. The whole wall was made out of glass, so I had the most stunning view of the city. I could see for miles out, until the horizon eerily faded out into the mist of the rain. I waited for my camera and looked out the window the entire time. I was so excited to have my camera fixed so I could snap a fantastic photo of the view. The man came out with my camera in a box and said that nothing could be done here, and that it needed to be shipped of to the factory. "It will only take two weeks," he said to me. Two weeks??? I'll be back home in nearly two weeks! I need my camera now! Think of all the amazing photos I'll miss out on! I persisted that he could do something. I had researched the problem before and noticed that it's a common problem with this camera and that it could be easily fixed. He continued to tell me that there was nothing I could do but send it. I left crying... I pulled out my phone and snapped a crappy picture of the view... I cried all the way until I saw a McDonalds. I got so happy to see a restaurant name I recognized, I had to go in to make myself happy again! It worked! I got yummy fries and a McFlurry! I didn't even care if it was raining or if it was cold out- ice cream makes everything better! I walked back to the station and made my way back to the hostel. Sam greeted me and asked if I had any luck with my camera. Sam was one of the receptionist at the hostel. He was so helpful and friendly and cute! I wanted to keep him and bring him home with me back to Canada! He spoke very good English, too. That made everything a lot easier. He helped me for hours trying to find a place to get it fixed. Finally, by the time we left, I had decided to send it back home. I was very disappointed, especially since I bought this camera specifically for this trip. Plus I've only had it for less than 5 months! What a sad day. The rain definitely matched my mood today. We walked to the post office in the pouring rain. I sent a huge box of souvenirs and gifts back home. I hope it gets there! I ensured it though, so maybe if it gets lost then I can just buy a new camera. Stupid piece of junk! Ugh! I'm so mad just thinking about it! Oh well. It is what it is. Maybe I'll go back to "The Electronic City," and buy a cheap camera before we leave. Anyways, after the post office, we started our long journey to our next hostel, the, "Asakusa Ryokan." We took the train, and had a long walk from the station to the hostel. Of course, I didn't have an umbrella so I got SOAKED! I loved it!!! I was thinking, "Man, I've never been rained on by Japanese rain!!" My jacket kept me completely dry, and surprisingly, my backpack and suitcase kept all the water out too! (Good choices, Mama!) I was standing at an intersection, waiting to cross. I must have looked like a lost puppy or something, because I noticed a couple of older Japanese men whispering and pointing at me. I ignored them, but suddenly they came up to me saying something in Japanese. I looked up and realized that they were holding one of their umbrellas over my head to keep me dry. It was so sweet. I bowed a little and said thank you very gratefully. The man then shook his head and said, "No, no, no! You take!" Then he held the handle out towards me. I replied, "What?! You're giving it to me?" He nodded and smiled. I smiled back, and could barely say thank you again I was so taken back. I even teared up I was so touched. I couldn't tell if a tear actually rolled down my cheeks or not, since my face was already so wet. It was probably one of the most touching and inspiring moments of my life. The walk sign turned green, and the two men went on their way, sharing an umbrella. I met up with Real again, who had watched the whole thing from across the street. "See? Walking in the rain was so worth it! You got a free umbrella!" I didn't even see it that way, really. I saw it more as a restoration of my faith in humanity. I will cherish that umbrella for the rest of my life! Maybe one day, I can pass it along to someone who doesn't have an umbrella in the future! :')
We finally made it to the hostel. It's very small. We're sleeping in a bunk bed this time, with barely any room to walk in! I've kept my bag and suitcase up on the bed with me, just to try and make some extra space. In fact, I think that if I had had a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving, I probably wouldn't be able to fit in here at all!!
Anyways, I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving back in Canada. I look forward to coming home and maybe having some turkey then... If my family is nice enough to make me some... *HINT.* *HINT.*
I should go to bed though. Especially if we're going to make another attempt at the fish market tomorrow....
I'll talk to you all very soon! And goodnight Tokyo! For one last time! :(
Love always,
Lindsay Lehr