Woke up this morning with sand paper eyes but had a good long sleep. Everyone back home is getting ready to head out trick or treating and I am waking up having missed Halloween! My teeny tiny room has been great so far minus the rock hard bed! Has everything you need even a fridge and kettle. Clean and quiet and affordable for being in the heart of Tokyo! I started my day with a Skype with my sister Jen and my parents on her speaker phone. My mom sure loves all the technology so she can know her baby is alright! I had breakfast in the cafe downstairs in the hotel, reminded me of Europe with my Cafe Americano and the pastry type breakfast foods. Today I have a guide for the day. I found this organization online that has volunteer guides by locals who are practicing their languages and want to learn about other cultures. This could go two ways....I am hoping it goes well! Hideo my free local guide for the day pickved me up at 9am and we headed out. We first went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office that has an observatory on the 45th floor where you can see all around Tokyo. Today is not a clear day but still the city seemed to go on forever! We made our way to Harajuka which is a famous place for teenagers to shop. Was very neat to see, wish I had more time as I am sure I could of found some great stuff for the nieces and nephews. Then we made our way to the Meiji Shrine. Turns out that Nov 1 is the anniversary of when the Shrine was built. Also in the Japanese culture they celebrate the 3 and 7 yr old girls and 5 yr old boys in the 1st of November so I was able to see so many cute littles ones dressed in traditional clothing! Before entering the shrine we cleansed our hands and mouth for prayer. I gave a donation clapped my hands twice and bowed, I hope my prayers were heard. It was starting to sprinkle at this point and I had my waterproof coat with me, which was great until we were in a down pour! We walked through Nakimise Shopping street in the rain as we approached the Sensji Temple. Sensji Temple is a Buddhist temple and very beautiful. There were massive red lanterns as you entered the area and the temple. You could hear the drum and the chanting by the monks. I was not able to get very good pictures as the rain was just pouring. We found a place out of the rain and was able to have a good visit with Hideo my guide. He is a building engineer and he pointed out a few buildings that we saw that he had worked on. He shares about his family and we talked about Yellowknife. He knew about the missing Japanese woman as it has been in the news here in Japan. I decided to buy an umbrella at this point as it was pouring. Have I mentioned it was pouring?? We made our way to the Imperial Palace. Not too much to see here but it was a beautiful walk around in the rain! We walked to the Tokyo Train station. Made our way to the Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Wow.... So beautiful! We walked around the traditional Japanese Garden. Exactly how I imagined in my mind. My tried to imagine how it would of looked during cherry blossom time.... I imagined it is spectacular!! We made it back to the hotel by 5pm, wow what a full day and my feet hurt from all the walking. The city was so quiet when we started out but by the time we returned to Shinjuku station it was alive with so many people and lights! I took a few moments back at my room to dry and rest my feet. I headed out to Shibuyu Crossing. How can I describe it..... Just imagine thousands of people crossing the street in all directions surrounded by buildings lit up and music coming from every different way even the busses are lit up and have music coming from them! Talk about sensory overload!! I found myself a chocolate banana crepe for dinner. Not your ideal pre tournament meal but it was sure yummy! I am not so scared of the train but the stations are very overwhelming! I am looking forward to getting out of the hustle and lights! As most days with me there is always something I do that is comical or not so bright!! My moment of the day was using the public restroom (which does not have a toilet as we know) that you have to balance to use and I did not balance so well and put my hand out to brace myself and hit the emergency button!!! Oooops.... Alarms went off and guards came running and thankfully I was out of the stall by the time they got there! So so so very embarrassed! An amazing and very busy day! Ready for whatever adventures tomorrow brings me!