Sunday, June 22, 2003
As Bob said, life usually happens faster than you can write. Depressed to think how much "prime time" I've wasted in front of computer screen since I've been here so I'm doing all those last minute explorations to make up for lost time now.
Last two days were rather muddled since I tried to pack too much in and made changes to schedule. Public transit was a lot more relaxed, with people dressed casually and space, even if I still had to stand. In the station, I bumped into a team of little league players as well as some high school students on their way to a kendo tournament.
Yesterday I was going to spend morning in Shinjuku, but decided at the last minute to go to the Imperial Gardens instead, inadvertedly standing up someone in the process since I couldn't check my email and don't have a keitai. The gardens were nice, with purple flowers. I was actually half way able to carry on and understand a simple conversation with an old lady who took my picture, small victory indeed. Most of the rest was just trees, with tour groups passing through and people relaxing in the park.
My guidebook said several nearby buildings had free internet access but when I went, the Starbucks people said it was only if you had your own laptop. After 3 or 4 people consulted with each other, they said they knew a place where I could check my email there and offered to take me there. They even offered me some free ice coffee. So I walked along with the three of them, close to Tokyo Station. One of the girls had lived in Seattle for 4 years, so spoke English very well and asked me a lot of questions.
Afterwards, onto Ebisu. The special exhibits were on Africa and general press photos, so I decided to just go for the digital images exhibit to save some money. It turned out to be very cool. After a quick peek at an English bookshop, I headed on for a recommended place in Shimokitazawa. Kyle had recommended this place which was a vintage clothes store by day, samba/music club by night, with an atmosphere reminiscent of Greenwhich Village. I got there in time for a little shopping--actually found SMAP (boy band that my professor loves) CD with mariachi boxers on cover for 150 yen.
Turns out that the place was very much like the Hot House,with a relaxing environment and good music, only without a dance floor. This woman played bossa nova on her guitar for several hours. No cover charge, just had to order a drink. It was a pretty small space, less than 40 people there I think. I was by myself, but after an hour or so, the waitress asked if she could seat a group of three, two guys and a girl, at my table. After a while, I broke the ice and started talking with them and they turned out to be very friendly. They were friends from high school and spoke English very well. I had forgotten my Japanese-English dictionary, but still managed to try to get some Japanese practice in as well.
I ended up meeting the club owner as well who turned out to be a Canadian who had been in the country for 13 years. When I told him I was studying Japanese culture, he offered to tell me stories since he had had all kinds of experience and had seen all sorts of things from his club, from dealing with yacuza to drunken landlords to inept firemen. He gave me a free drink and offered to get me a cab if I wanted to stay at the club past the train time.
After my table left, I ended up talking with a guy who was checking out webpages from his laptop. I didn't think such a make-shift structure could have wireless internet access, but this guy had a cell phone connection which he plugged in. He also came equipped with a PDA(only the second I had noticed in Japan) which he could also connect to the internet and of course, a keitai. We chatted for a while. He did legal consultation for an internet company, one of the first in Japan. He was in the process of applying for law school in the States, but still had to study for the exams. He was a fan of the singer, so came regularly since he lived nearby. He ended up giving me a ride home in his convertible. Got home a little late, but was a fun evening. Was one of first places in Japan where was able to connect with people. I commented on this to the owner, and he agreed, saying that he kept the club going because there were a lot of lonely people in Japan and it provided a space for people to get together and relax without getting drunk.
Today, went to Omotesando for the morning. Wanted to check out Nezu Gardens, but turns out you had to pay the hefty museum admission fee to enter so decided to skip it. Popped into another museum with umiko-i (?)prints. Had to take shoes off and wear slippers. OK but too small for the fee. Last look at Harajuku park area and the crazily-dressed girls. This time it seemed like there were just as many Japanese tourists taking pictures as gaijin.
Next on to Ueno Park, which had a totally different atmosphere. Many families, caporeira group, girls dancing with pom-poms, couples playing badminton or picnicking on the grass. Went to National Museum, supposed to be the best in Japan, but their art building was being renovated and the rest was just old stuff which doesn't interest me. Just missed female samurai woman with her sword, but posed for a picture with her and she gave me a Japanese carrot.
Called Risa, who I had stood up by accident yesterday and she agreed to meet me there. Called her back from a phone booth as she was standing with her keitai not 100 ft away. We wandered around and I finally got to eat good food--yum! Had wanted to go to this garden with lilies especially when she translated the flier saying this weekend there were special singing shows and such. When she called, turns out that similar garden was still open, so we raced over trying to make it before nightfall. Arrived at twilight, but could still see beauty of the field with all the purple and white irises. She bought some small fireworks, but they blew out with the wind. Surprised-felt sadness because leaving but happy that I could hang out with a new friend.
Last two days were rather muddled since I tried to pack too much in and made changes to schedule. Public transit was a lot more relaxed, with people dressed casually and space, even if I still had to stand. In the station, I bumped into a team of little league players as well as some high school students on their way to a kendo tournament.
Yesterday I was going to spend morning in Shinjuku, but decided at the last minute to go to the Imperial Gardens instead, inadvertedly standing up someone in the process since I couldn't check my email and don't have a keitai. The gardens were nice, with purple flowers. I was actually half way able to carry on and understand a simple conversation with an old lady who took my picture, small victory indeed. Most of the rest was just trees, with tour groups passing through and people relaxing in the park.
My guidebook said several nearby buildings had free internet access but when I went, the Starbucks people said it was only if you had your own laptop. After 3 or 4 people consulted with each other, they said they knew a place where I could check my email there and offered to take me there. They even offered me some free ice coffee. So I walked along with the three of them, close to Tokyo Station. One of the girls had lived in Seattle for 4 years, so spoke English very well and asked me a lot of questions.
Afterwards, onto Ebisu. The special exhibits were on Africa and general press photos, so I decided to just go for the digital images exhibit to save some money. It turned out to be very cool. After a quick peek at an English bookshop, I headed on for a recommended place in Shimokitazawa. Kyle had recommended this place which was a vintage clothes store by day, samba/music club by night, with an atmosphere reminiscent of Greenwhich Village. I got there in time for a little shopping--actually found SMAP (boy band that my professor loves) CD with mariachi boxers on cover for 150 yen.
Turns out that the place was very much like the Hot House,with a relaxing environment and good music, only without a dance floor. This woman played bossa nova on her guitar for several hours. No cover charge, just had to order a drink. It was a pretty small space, less than 40 people there I think. I was by myself, but after an hour or so, the waitress asked if she could seat a group of three, two guys and a girl, at my table. After a while, I broke the ice and started talking with them and they turned out to be very friendly. They were friends from high school and spoke English very well. I had forgotten my Japanese-English dictionary, but still managed to try to get some Japanese practice in as well.
I ended up meeting the club owner as well who turned out to be a Canadian who had been in the country for 13 years. When I told him I was studying Japanese culture, he offered to tell me stories since he had had all kinds of experience and had seen all sorts of things from his club, from dealing with yacuza to drunken landlords to inept firemen. He gave me a free drink and offered to get me a cab if I wanted to stay at the club past the train time.
After my table left, I ended up talking with a guy who was checking out webpages from his laptop. I didn't think such a make-shift structure could have wireless internet access, but this guy had a cell phone connection which he plugged in. He also came equipped with a PDA(only the second I had noticed in Japan) which he could also connect to the internet and of course, a keitai. We chatted for a while. He did legal consultation for an internet company, one of the first in Japan. He was in the process of applying for law school in the States, but still had to study for the exams. He was a fan of the singer, so came regularly since he lived nearby. He ended up giving me a ride home in his convertible. Got home a little late, but was a fun evening. Was one of first places in Japan where was able to connect with people. I commented on this to the owner, and he agreed, saying that he kept the club going because there were a lot of lonely people in Japan and it provided a space for people to get together and relax without getting drunk.
Today, went to Omotesando for the morning. Wanted to check out Nezu Gardens, but turns out you had to pay the hefty museum admission fee to enter so decided to skip it. Popped into another museum with umiko-i (?)prints. Had to take shoes off and wear slippers. OK but too small for the fee. Last look at Harajuku park area and the crazily-dressed girls. This time it seemed like there were just as many Japanese tourists taking pictures as gaijin.
Next on to Ueno Park, which had a totally different atmosphere. Many families, caporeira group, girls dancing with pom-poms, couples playing badminton or picnicking on the grass. Went to National Museum, supposed to be the best in Japan, but their art building was being renovated and the rest was just old stuff which doesn't interest me. Just missed female samurai woman with her sword, but posed for a picture with her and she gave me a Japanese carrot.
Called Risa, who I had stood up by accident yesterday and she agreed to meet me there. Called her back from a phone booth as she was standing with her keitai not 100 ft away. We wandered around and I finally got to eat good food--yum! Had wanted to go to this garden with lilies especially when she translated the flier saying this weekend there were special singing shows and such. When she called, turns out that similar garden was still open, so we raced over trying to make it before nightfall. Arrived at twilight, but could still see beauty of the field with all the purple and white irises. She bought some small fireworks, but they blew out with the wind. Surprised-felt sadness because leaving but happy that I could hang out with a new friend.
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