wow! im in japan. and i survived the gruelling 3 flights from sao paulo to get here. an achivement like none other and hopefully never to be repeated. especially when the flight was delayed getting into dulles and the baggage handlers useless and slow so i had 25 miutes to get from one side of the airport to another, not to mention re-checking my bag before the plane actually left. it was boarding before id even celared immigration. a very close shave! but anyway, im here and safe and the hostel is lovely. if anyone evry comes to tokyo stay here. its in asakusa historic district but over the river in suburbs so quiet, spacious and cheap. no capsule hotel for me!! going off sightseeing and maybe shopping today. going downtown to see all the crazy lights tonight and tomorrow- who knows! its going to be a crazy action packed two days but its so exciting! had my first japanese meal, with chopsticks, didnt draw too much attention to myself and pointed at something there were pictures which was lucky. which turned out to be very nice. beef in a sweet sauce with rice which was ok and only 420 yen which is good. tokyo is so expensive! had a lot of fun last couples of days in rio. the weather definitely brightened up and was able to see sugar loaf, christ and santa teresa in the sun. got the tram- unforgettable!! not much time on the beach for me unfortunately but id have probs got burnt anyway and too scared to venture into the sea and the tide was kinda dangerous. had fun with fordham, chetwood and his girlfriend, was actually very nice to see a familiar face! ill put some pics on when i get time today or tomorrow, esp those of the capoeraira show the final night in the hostel. it was wicked. tho they made me have a go and i was not very coordinated. ritchie would be ashamed of me! anyways, know that i am safe and well and in tokyo. nearing my real destination- il be in beijing thurs and with chris friday-yay!! everyone- thanks for all ur emails and messages. i miss u all. Joanna- we will deffo have to meet up when i get back in the fall. lemmie know where u r and what ur doing. emma, u still havent emailed me but i guess ur stressing about ur trip too, have a fantastic time babe. enjoy cusco especially! and marcus, i know ur home on the 5th. hope u had a great trip- from what fordham said it certainly sounded like u were enjoying urself, hope it went well with ur mum and good luck with the new job and ud best keep in touch or ill drop in at ur place in cradiff unexpectedly! and finally, laura happy birthday for thursday. i wont phone cos i dont actually know what time it is here let alone there! have a lovely day. ritchie if ur reading this i hope u and liz are very well. sorry chris has now had to leave the club too.i miss u and training lots! hoping to get to a budokan for martial arts while im here but no doubt the karate will be crap- as u always say! love to all who read this. especially to my family who are no doubt more concerned for my safety than anyone! hi to leri, carole, tracy, cousin gil , mo and bob and carolyn and mike too, rest assured im well and feeling pretty safe here in tokyo- its a nice change! and to my sister gilly. hope u liked the jewellery i chose for u from brazil. if u dont like it then i had nothing to do with it! missing u. ud love it here! hope u had fun in dublin! sianyxxx