Reflections

The first day back from a great trip is always rough, probably one of the things I dislike the most about traveling while gainfully employed. Australia was different, didn't have the pressures of work to come back to. But today everything was kosher for Passover.

On hindsight, the trip was amazing and unlike anything I've ever done. To have a good friend taking you around their country, making every effort to show you the best...I've never really had that. Granted I could have also done with a bit more time to just stroll around but I can always do that next time.

The depth of Japanese cuisine shocked me. The depth of Japanese cuisine beyond seafood completely knocked my off my size 10.5/11 feet. Unreal. The things they do with the most basic ingredients such as tofu, rice and edamame I couldn't imagine they could be so full of flavor. So much so that I feel the need to figure out how to make some of these things at home.

Beyond the food, the people are so nice and polite, though I feel we got a bit of special treatment as gaijins. One thing that scared me a bit was the density of the crowds during the busy hours. I never met a city that could compete with New York in that way but Tokyo definitely wins. The will motor over anything that doesn't move fast enough, even the elderly are the same! ha.

I can't wait to go back again and explore the rest of the country. Though the sheer expanse of Tokyo itself is daunting. It's such a big city. BIG.

For relaxing times...

make it Suntory time.

We went to the Park Hyatt last night and I was the most physically relaxed than I have been in a good while. The view from the 52nd Floor was unbelieveable and the sheer expanse that is Tokyo really slaps you in the face. It truly is a GINORMOUS city, there was no end in any direction. Lights everywhere. The Park Hyatt has mastered the art of ambiance. The space was amazing and the vibe was just as it was in Lost in Translation. It was ridiculously expensive with 3 rounds of drinks and the cover charge but well worth it. A jazz band played some classics, we were in good company, and the view was so clear that you could just admire to your hearts content. Unreal. Personally, I didn't want to leave but the rest of the crew were hungry so we peaced but if anyone is coming to Tokyo I think it's definitely a mandatory stop.

So this trip has been quite the culinary adventure so far. Yesterday(Wednesday) we went to a branch of a restaurant where every dish uses tofu as an ingredient. It was a huge meal and probably my favorite so far. I've also rediscovered my love of red bean paste. So tasty but not overly sweet, a great dessert. I like the pace of meals here, because there is so much ceremony involved (in the fancier establishments) each course is paced out well. Each dish, cup, and utensil has their own place in the space in front of you and each are moved about seamlessly, effortlessly, and with the utmost grace on the part of the server. It's almost a show in itself. I'm obviously not used to this kind of service and the funny thing is is that they don't tip here. At all. So the servers aren't doing this for extra money, they're doing it because it's their job and there is a level of pride involved which I can respect as opposed to the servers in NY who do the barest of minimums (if that) and expect exorbitant amounts of money just for being there. It's a bit backwards.

Toilets. Yes, toilets. There is a covert (which may not actually be so covert) national obsession with toilets. I think some of these contraptions are more advanced than my iPod. There are buttons for spraying, oscillating, drying, it's unbelieveable. My favorite feature by far is heated seats. But even divey bars have clean hi-tech toilets. I mean, as a woman, it works wonderfully for me but it's a very interesting phenomena nonetheless.

Japan Part Ni (2, for you non Japanese speakers)

We spent day two taking almost every mode of transportation known to man. Including: cable car, trolley, train, bullet train, two camels and a horse. Okay maybe not the last two. The on day 3 we took the bus AND the Romancecar. Yes, it's really called the Romancecar but it's just a really nice train, no romance on board (at least not that I'm aware of). So once we got to Hakone we traipsed around the mountains checking out the sights while wading through the masses of senior citizens and I mean MASSES. They may be small but when they have a destination in sight they will push you over with tha quickness. no diggity. no doubt. Anyway, our final destination that night would be Yamadaya, a hot springs 'inn' where we'd have hot spring baths on site. We spent the night in our traditional Japanese robes and were served 3094823490 course meals in our room, it'll make more sense when you see the photos later. it was quite an experience. i had to put bandages on my tattoos bc i guess they aren't very 'traditional' i felt like a leper or something with big bandages all over me. we went to the baths a few times, one of which was outside with views of the surrounding countryside, t'was beautiful. this pic is mount fuji btw. yes, THE mount fuji.

Japan Part 1

Hai! Whatsup party people. We're at the beginning of our second full day. Haven't had much chance to explore Tokyo since the plan is to explore the outskirts with Eri (Chika's sister) during the weekend before she has to go to work eventually...

Anyhoo, it has been pretty damn awesome so far. Alanna dozed off at dinner the first night since we were all supremely exhausted from our flight during most of which I didn't sleep at all. I officially hate American Airlines, the air hosts (aka the pc term for stewards and stewardesses) were old and cranky. I would have nothing against old if they weren't so damn cranky. Walter and I sat together and our damn video screens didn't work which actually ended up being a good thing since I finished Eat, Pray, Love during the flight. Getting into Narita (Tokyo's International Airport) was much less intimidating than what I imagine the reverse experience is for people coming into JFK where they bark and snarl at you as if you were making a run for the border. We spent yesterday in Kamakura, one of the most historical parts of Japan, which was unbelieveably picturesque. Ya'll will see what I'm talkin' about when you see the pics. I've already taken almost 200 pictures. I'm on a mission to find an image for this year's Christmas card after all! We saw the giant buddha, made lots of wishes, threw money into places for good luck, say shrines, temples, and ate some street food. ALL the street food has been spectacular so far. SPECTACULAR. Even the scary fish looked strangely edible though I dare not taste it. Without Chika and Eri I dare say it'd be MUCH harder getting around here, outside of Greece it may be the hardest place to get around without knowing the local language. Today (Monday AM) we're heading to Hakone where the hot springs are so we'll see how that goes. Nekkidness is required, eeek. We're staying there for an overnighter then the few days are all about Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo. Sorry this isn't as entertaining as ya'll might expect, there haven't been too many foibles just yet. Going grocery shopping at 7am and buying two bottles of wine and a bottle of sake might be a good highlight so far...

Ciao bellas! Sayonara. Until next time, or until I end up in a Japanese prison.

Oh yes, this means we've arrived safely. :)

Today is the day

we leave for our big trip to Tokyo and while it wont be the longest trip i've ever been on it'll be a slightly different experience than what i'm used to. it's more planned out than anything i've done in recent memory but it was planned by a local and those are always the best experiences. it's a whole new travel group, a whole new city, and i'm a whole lotta excited to see what happens. it's kind of surreal right now that we're even going but perhaps that's because i'm on 4 hours of sleep. it may not hit me until we land or perhaps when we get out of the airport or perhaps when we see chika at Narita. Chika at Narita. Chika at Narita. Chika at Narita. haha. anyway, i'll keep it short.

Awareness

I got out of the subway just now after scurrying about like a rat underground for 40 minutes and really smelled NYC air, possibly for the first time, at 42nd and 6th ave. I had been reading Eat, Pray, Love during my commute and realized that the novel that I had been reading is about awareness. This particular book, much like others worth their salt, incite emotion in people. Some swear by it, others think of Liz Gilbert as a privileged writer paid to travel for a year while she jots down her experience. Boo-effing-hoo. I get the latter but I also believe the former because in my mind you're not supposed to think about who she is because she's sharing her experience which is one that is universal, our quest as people to become aware. At least for those of us who aren't already. Myself included. Back to the air.

I smelled the air when I emerged from the subway and realized that I've smelled it before, it's a familiar city smell (likely a combination of exhaust, dirt and people. ha.) that I've noticeably encountered in my travels to other cities but not in my own. Interesting no? Am I really that absorbed in my day to day and have I been for the last 21 years I've lived here that I've never smelled Eau de NYC? It appears so. The point is not that this city smells so wonderful, because frankly it doesn't, but that I've only bothered to pay attention when I travel- to what a place smells like and from that you can infer that I've missed a lot of other things here too but perhaps conversely also why I like to travel so darn much.

To keep this from becoming a longer yarn than it needs to be on a Wednesday morning I'd like to say that I recognize that I have a tendency to focus on others, possibly in an attempt to deflect from focusing on myself. I would like to be more aware of myself and my surroundings and will work on this as I'm able. Starting with my supinated gait.

Oh and I still love NY desperately.