Day two- part two

Ok, so it's been a few days since I updated the blog, so this is gonna be a quick (ish) update on what we got up to, and I might backdate later (if there's such a feature!)
Anyway, before the big shopping adventure, we actually went to Harajuku to visit the Meiji Shrine. Harajuku has two side- one very capitalist, consumer driven shopping megacomplex side, and the other is a very serene, tree lined and beautiful side that is very peaceful on the side that the shrine is on. This is something that I am really noticing about Japan- the Japanese love their excess consumption of goods, but they also have a real affinity for nature.

What was really funny about the shrine expereince was that there was a wedding taking placem and the tourists were blatantly taking photos, and and actually joining the wedding guests, wiht all of their gawking! (ok, so I joind them with the happy snap taking, but from a discreet distance!!) Check out the pics:

The entrance gate to the shrine


Doing the cleansing ritual


The tree where people write down their greatest hopes and wishes


All of the Asian kids wished for high marks, as evidenced by this one!!!


The bride, getting married in traditional garb (I promise I was at a discreet distance!!)

Day Two- Shopping, shopping and more shopping

So Day Two was all about the shopping! There are currrently New Year sales on in major stores at the moment, so it's a GREAT time to go to Japan girls (and guys). The chain stores here are amazing- there's Topshop, H&M, Forever 21(!) and countless others. What's great about each of these stores is thatthere's a men's floor, so Nam and I split up, so I don't have to bore him with all of the girly crap... but inevitably, we meet up and I have about a hundred things to buy/try on to Nam's one thing... (and I haven't even gotten to the next floor od women's clothing yet) But, in my defense, usually, there's only one floor of guys stuff and two or three ladies floors. Anyway, Nam and I loved Shibuya, which is one of the major shopping districts in Japan. Nam really got into the shopping, probably because he can actually fid stuff that fits him well, so he's stocking up... oh oh oh, there's Zara here (one of my favourite favourite shops that we went to when I went to Europe) AND there's a Zara Man, which is great!!!! Nam picked up some really cool shirts.

Shibuya crossing: (I think the largest pedestrian crossing in Japan)






From up above

We also saw the statue of Hatchiko, which is a statue if a dog. The story goes that Hatchiko was a really loyal dog who waited for his master to the train station every morning, and then after his master died, Hatchiko kept going to wait for him for 11 years after that!! (cute)



Evidently, hatchiko statue is the Japanese equivalent of Town Hall steps- everyone goes there to meet friends!

Anyway, must dash, will continue Day 2 later- it's time for breakfast and teh Day 3 adventure!

Day One

Day One was an absolute cracker, but also a killer in terms of sheer exhaustion. We set out at about 9.30 and walked to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, on the West side of Shinjuku, away from the red light district, which is more the bijinesu (business) side of the district. Anyway, what I didn't allude to was the amount of time we spent wandering around,trying to A) figure out which exit to enter and exit from at Shinjuku Station, B) working out the Japanese maps and C) getting lost, even when we thought we'd got hang of the maps!

The sheer confusion of Shinjuku Station is overwhelming. It has about a gazillion exits, and is absolutely humongous. Apparently 12 million people pass through Shnijuku Station on anyone day... One good thing about Japan is that everything is quite well signposted (in English) and there are lots of maps everywhere- butwhat is confusing is that they change the orientation of the map, depending on where you are! The map doens't always point North, which is generally the case, so everytime you come to a new map, you have to work out where everything is, and where you're going all over again (map reading is obviously NOT my forte- which probably explains why I was so crap at orienteering at school).

Anyway, we went to the tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, to visit the Tourist Information Centre.


Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

We went up to the North Tower Observatory, and took in some breathtaking views of Tokyo:




Mount Fuji in the distance


A close-up of Mount Fuji


Looking down

We also got accosted by this elderly gentleman, who asked us if we wanted to attend a hands on demo of flower arranging, which was probably the highlight of the day. There is a special branch of the Tokyo Government, which specialises in introducing tourists to Japan's cultural experiences. We got to do a ritual style ikubana (flower arrangement). Ikebana are created for one of three purposes- to worship to the Gods/deities, to beauitify the home, and as a hobby, to express creativity.






We had luch at another Izakaya this time, one that specialised in ramen. You had to order your ramen via a vending machine at the front of the store. Then, when you got upstairs, you had to fill out a little form about what hardness of ramen you wanted, how spicy you wanted the soup, and got to choose four ingredients. It was all a bit mystifying, until the guy gave us an instruction sheet!



It also took me aaages to work out how to stop the water from running whe I went to the loo, when I washed my hands. This was an interesting toilet setup, where there is a tap built into the top of the loo, which turns on the tap when you flush the loo. The water runs into the cistern ( really hope that it's not recycled water!!) But it ran for aaaaages and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off! I ended up flushing the loo about three times, before I worked out that it just ran for aages and then stopped automatically.... I'm pretty sure that the guy out the front could hear, so I bet he was wondering what the hell was going on!!

Then, we spent the rest o fthe afternoon traipsing around trying to find an adaptor plug that would plug an Aussie thrre pronged plug into a Japanese outlet. And man, we had to ask about a thousand people! We tried so many stores! Also try explaining this to people when we don't speak much Japanese!! But what we realised is that the Japanese people are really lovely adn will bend over backwards to help you out, which is just so lovely!! I think the reatil industry in Aus could really take a leaf out of the Japanese book, because the shop assistants are so nice here and so mean back home. (I can speak from experience, seeing as I was quite a shit retail assistant in my time!!!)

Then, we went to see the Tokyo Tower, which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and is the highest structure in Tokyo. It gave another spectacular view of Tokyo, this time at night. We went up to the main observation deck, 250 m up, then went up to the special observation deck, which was another 1050 m up.

Flying out and first night in Japan

So we're finally here in Tokyo!! Nam and I can't believe it!! We were a bit shell shocked at first, especially considering we walked to our hotel Toyoko Inn, from Shinjuku Station, right past all of the pimps soliciting for business (our hotel is situated right in the heart of the red light district), and we were pretty buggered already at this stage, having travelled for the whole day. However, undeterred, we trudged on, and found the hotel, which upon arrival, we got chastised (albeit very politely) about not ringing because we were later than our anticipated check in time. And luckily for us that we made it to check in about 15 minutes before our reservation would have been cancelled (phew!!).

Our first truly Japanese experience, was of course the toliet experience- having just gotten off the plane at Narita Airport, there was a bit of a double take action, when I walked into the first stall to find a toilet in the ground- still surprising, even though I've been to Hong King and China- I guess because the ones in CHina are so dirty and yucky (the Japanese ones are v clean).

Ou next Japanese experience was of Japanese efficiency- we got off the plane at Terminal 3, and had to take the shuttle train to the next terminal. They ran every 2 minutes! Next, was the 12 minutes or so it took us to get through customs, immigration and to claim our luggage.. that's right 12 MINUTES!!! We were ready and waiting for the next Narita Express to Shinjuku, so I tried out my Japanese for the first time, asking the nice train conductor guy where we had to stand to get on the train to find our reserved seats.



Waiting for the Narita Express

The next excitement was finding out that the trains in Japan are MAGNIFICENT!!! They are clean, super comfy (think airplane type seats) AND they have a drinks lady who comes around selling drinks! Nam wanted a hot green tea, and there was a moment of confusion, when the lady through he meant cold green tea, but I quickly remembered the Japanese word for hot (atsui) and even though I;m sure that is completely wrong, we still managed to understand each other. So instead Nam ordered a beer! (Speaking of beers, they are readily available out of the million and one vending machine that inhabit practically every street corner in Tokyo)


The trolly dolly lady (who was very cute) and the v comfy train seats.







The cool screen which lit up the journey, and showed you where the train was.

Them we ventured out for our first meal in Japan- we went to an izakaya, which is a tiny restaurant, where you sit at the bar, and they cook the food in front of you. The proprietors were really lovely people- Korean, but who spoke Japanese- we had a great conversation half in English and half in Japanese... anyway, the food was amazing!! Nam had a ramen and I had a vegetable soup- v delish!!



The lovely Korean's who ran the izakaya

Sitting at Cairns airport-tra la la

Hey everyone,
I am currently sitting at Cairns airport, having eaten a dodgy bacon and egg toasted sandwich, waiting for our connecting flight to Japan. We arrived in Cairns at 8.10 am local time (Queensland is an hour behind NSW), and boy was it stinking hot... AT 8AM!!!! How much did I want to be not wearing jeans, long socks, boots and carrying a jacket, a beanie and another jumper for the exit at the other end... So we sweltered off the plane and walked to the International terminal in the hot hot hot heat.. Can't wait for when we get back for our three day jaunt in Cairns en route back home, cause we'll at least be prepared for the heat (thongs and shorts!!)

Anyway, we had a jam-packed 24 hours before departure- we finally got all of the Chrissy presents done, and I saw Mum and Caths for lunch, before going to Doan's (Nam's bro) and Thu's (Nam's bro's partner) place for Christmas dinner with his family. And boy was the food fantastic! Doan and Thu put on an awesome spread for us- lobster tails, smoked ocean trout blinis, cumin, lemon and chilli encrusted quails, venison and potato fondant AND peach melba... not to mention the copious amounts of alcohol and cocktails, as well as the mid session interlude where we were so stuffed from the first three courses, we had to have a rest, which is when we broke out the Pat and Sticks ice cream sandwiches.... ok, so it's no wonder I was feeling a little under the weather last night and this morning from all of the eating (correction, over-eating).

While we're on the subject of food, Nam and I went to Everligh Markets yesterday (to pick up the rest of the presents and the Pat and Sticks) and there was a smokehouse doing pigs on a spit! Check it out... vegetarians and the easily queasy, please look away now....


What was a bit concerning was that less than 5 metres away from these three pigs spinning on a spit, was a farmyard petting zoo for kids! I was a bit worried that the barnyard animals would get a tad traumatised, but I guess that's the circle of life. Sorry to all of my vego friends who I just offended in one fell swoop...

We also had our first successful attempt at speaking Japanese- we tested out our pleasantries, when the Japanese lady from Jetstar gave us our departure cards to fill out. We said good morning (ohayoo gozaimasu) and thank you (arigatoo gozaimus) and that's all. Oh well.. we have to start somewhere hey?

Huzzah- I've finally finished my assignments!

After taking a DIL and another study day, I finally finished my assignments on Wednesday! Am feeling a bit proud, that I managed to cram a whole summer school subject's worth of assignments in, in a few weeks, but on the downside, I think the qual was a bit shit really... Oh well!

Only 2 more sleeps to go! We got our traveller's cheques and exchanged some dollars for yen, the other day, which was a bit exciting, and I went to this random 'self-service room' in Clarence Street, which is a room with lots of brochures about Japan. It was quite handy, albeit a surreal experience. The room is on Level 7, in an office block, and after you traipse around for half an hour trying to find the street number, (almost walking up to the Harbour Bridge in the process), and go up in the lift, it opens out into a tiny room, chock full of travel brochures, maps etc, and that's it, except for a very tranquil water feature?? There's no one there, hence the name I guess... v handy cause I picked up a Japan Rail timetable, so we can work out where the hell we're going.

We've also been seeing everybody before we go, and still scrambling to get the Christmas shopping done- last chance is tomorrow morning, where we'll go to Everleigh Markets to stock up on scrummy foodstuffs for fam and friends. This is after we went last week, and bought some smoked ocean trout rilletes, (for Nam's Mum!), and then opened it and ate it! No regrets, cause it was so delicious, but now we have to go back and buy a replacement! Hey, someone has to test for quality control.... (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Nam also bought me a new digital camera for Christmas, so we can take it on hols with us. It's a Canon Ixus 120I5 and it's super sexy. And being the true Asian that I am, I have already almost maxed out the memory card.. haha. No not quite, but I have taken a lot of pics already (in two days).

Here are just a few:

Dinner at Spice I Am

Getting ready for karaoke in Japan!

Nam, rocking out to Sweet Child of Mine



Opening Christmas presents

The Country Women's Association Cookbook! Thanks Caths!! I can't wait to make Elsie's Fingers, Pineapple Wheel Cake, Giblet Soup and of course, lamingtons!!!!

And finally, because today was my last day at Health Sciences, and we were celebrating the last day of work before Christmas, morning tea at Health Sciences:

T minus 7 days and counting!

Oh. My. Goodness. I can't believe that in 7 days, Nam and I will be flying out to Japan!!!! Nihon here we come!!
At this very moment in time one week from now, we're going to be winging our way through the sky- Oh no wait a moment, no we're not- we'll still be in the Gold Coast on our three hour stop-over. D'oh.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks- trying to get everything organised at the last second. Japan Rail passes were bought on Wednesday- Christmas pressies for the fam are still getting organised, and we haven't exchanged any money yet. And for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing me in the last couple of weeks (lucky you) you wouldn't know about the constant moaning and groaning about the stupid uni assignments for Summer School that I've been trying to do (one down, and about 2400 words to go) Poor me... life is so hard (especially when you choose to do a summer school, knowing full well that you're going away, well in advance of actually enrolling).

Nam and I have also been practising our Japanese- very big at the moment:
Moo ichido itte kudasai- Could you please say that again?
Eego o hanashimasu ka - Do you speak English?
Toire wa doku desu ka- Where is the toilet?
Kanpai- Cheers!
Oishi desu ne - This is delicious!

I think we'll get by...