Travelin Monkey

I now officially live outside of time. Here it is 8 pm on Saturday Feb 19, 2005, but truely it should be somewhere near midnight on the 18th. I went from Friday to Saturday without seeing the sun set or rise. I departed SFO at 11:30 am, and while on my 10 hour flight, I arrived at 3 pm on Saturday! Life has cheated me out of a Friday night, but the laws of life have taught me that you can not take and leave something out of balance!

I must say I was most confused when I landed. I had no idea where to go, so I followed the crowd. Somehow I managed to buy a train ticket and guessed as to which one to ride. I almost cracked up laughing on the train, watching 3 Japanese girls talking. They all seem to have gummy smiles and talk more with their teeth than their lips. I met some canadian people who were almost as lost as I was, except they had maps and drawings. I noticed that people are truely as small as I thought they would be, seeing that the station map was so oddly angled on the roof that I had to kneal down to read it.

I managed to guess right on my connection trains and actually FOUND my exit. Anyone who has been to Japan would understand the complexity of it all. All seemed well until I realized I had no map nor directions from the station. So what did I do? I walked.. and walked.. and walked…

Not that many people speak Engrish. THose who did I thanked and was received with a “your wercome,” which always brought a smile to my face.? I ended up walking through some back alley and found the hostel, Khaosan hostel, luckily of course. Maybe it is a good thing I have that extra iron at the tip of my nose guiding me.

After checking in, I did the only logical thing; went exploring a city I knew nothing about, without a map, in the rain, without an umbrella, in the dead of winter! Why did I choose to come to Tokyo for the weekend? ADVENTURE!

After buying an umbrella, a gay white one that I only see women using, I found some shrines and temples, along with long avenues of flee market.? I wanted to eat, but for the love of God, I couldn’t understand anything nor understand what the sign ‘red fish in yellow rice’ could be. (yes, the menu’s had one picture for everything, with different prices of course!)

So, I did what any tourists would do, I looked for a McDonalds! It is very true, it is a lot healthier in Tokyo and doesn’t leave you feeling disgusting. I searched for 2 things while out and about, a sex-store or a pub. I found neither, except for hundreds of arcades/casinos. The machines here would put vegas to shame, except they use small metal balls for currency?

I saw somewhere that had a beer sign, so I went in to bo shocked at the emptiness of the place. You know, me & the bartender. I think he was happy to know that there was life outside!! I asked what there was to do in Asakusa (the place where I was staying) at night, but he said “Asakusa day city.” Naturally, I asked “What is night city?” thinking that if he knew day, he would know the opposite!

NOPE!!

So, here I am. The Imperial Palace and Akihabara for tomorrow.. I like this hostel too, they are very friendly and have a lot of information and free internet!

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