SILENCE

I had somewhat of a breakthrough moment last night and started to realize that I am actually in Tokyo right now. I've been moving through a sort of surreal fog and not processing my surroundings and realizing that I am actually here. But, last night I was travelling home on the subway from dinner in Shinbuya and noticed something profound on the train. While there was a ton of people packed into the train, they were all SILENT! It was the most peaceful subway ride I have ever had; not a single stressful moment of listening to someone else's cranked iPod or people yapping excessively loud to each other. I could serious get used to a packed train when everything is calm and quiet.

Yesterday the day started yet again with me attempting to unlock my iPhone with marginally better success than the day before. At least the phone is now jailbroken but still has not been able to work the new SIM card that I am renting. I'll have to continue to work on getting that going properly.

I went to Harajuku again and went straight to BEAM's to buy a nice couriers bag I saw the day before. It was priced alight, probably a little cheaper than what I would get in Toronto. I also picked up a London Fog style jacket, makes me look like a 1970's French spy. I also hit up a 100Yen store (similar to a dollar-store) and bought a few odds and ends like a pad of paper and shampoo. While the 100Y stores are really hyped up on websites I don't think they are any better than our Dollarama's back home. 

Met two of my flat mates yesterday, both American's. There is a Swede here that is an intern architect, but he's been pressured by family to go home due to the disasters north of Tokyo. Supposedly there has been a few architectural interns through this house. The girl from L.A. already annoyed me a little, she has a 'you against them' mentality. Gave me a little solidarity talk which turned me off from her. I hate when foreigners get a protective mentality; I want to get out there and not bother always hanging out at the house with flatmates. 

Travelled to Yoyogi Park near Harajuku station. An absolutely amazing park full of trees, ponds, fields and people hanging out on blankets. I think people back home have to utilize our parks better, it was refreshing to see so many people hanging around and having fun outdoors. I sat out at the park until it was dusk and took off for Shibuya for dinner. And when I arrived at Shibuya I was greatly surprised.

I was hoping to find some restaurants but instead found hundreds of places to eat ranging from cheap to expensive dishes. I ate at a soba restaurant for about $5 and it was a fantastic noodle dish. Ordering was made even easier when all you do is see what plasticized dish you like to have and pop the money into a vending machine. The machine gives you a ticket to give to the chef and you take you seat after. No fuss and no tipping... great!

After Shibuya I travelled home and picked up two beers... which will make my father jealous... two tall cans for only $2 each. Jet lag is still taking its toll on me and I was crashing by 9pm again. Today I hope to get some much needed grocery shopping done and will do a practice run to work today... tomorrow is the start of my first day of work in Tokyo.

DAY 1

Morning from my room

With my first day in Tokyo the first thought that is going through my mind is its DAMN COLD!!! I think I underestimated what the weather would be like... waking up to close to 0C weather in a style of house that are typically uninsulated made for a surprise. I wish my thick robe was taken instead of my thinner one. 

One consolation is that the sun was very warm. So like a lizard, I basked in it.

Got out of bed around 7am today and attempted to get my cell going... unfortunetly it needs to be unlocked and that hasn't gone so well. I planned out a day to stop off in Harajuku to look for a sidebag and then carry on to Akihabara to look for cellphone related things. 

Harajuku Street

Harajuku was surprising and over stimulating to handle. The shear amount of clothing stores there turned me off from browsing them thoroughly. While I was looking for a side bag the vast amount of stores (and throngs of people) deterred me from looking for it seriously.

I abandoned Harajuku street and made my way over to the park adjacent the station. The park was a surprising retreat from the bustle of people. Wide tree covered avenues hid any views of the city beyond. 

I debated whether to continue on to Akihabara for fear that I would be stuck in the rush hour commute home. I decided to head out there anyways... The jet lag started to hit me hard when I left the station. The electronic stores were interesting, you can find just about anything you could ever need, though it lacked the affordability of other electronic markets that I have experienced in China. After the walk around Akihabara Electronic Market I decide it was time to head home and find some dinner. 

Denny's... yes I sold out and went for a Denny's restaurant meal... however when I started to review the menu the closest thing I could find to an American meal was the 'Cob Salad'. I chose the 'toro.... something something'. I resorted to pointing out the dishes I wanted... a rice dish covered with cheese, scrambled egg and gravy. It was filling, but incredibly overpriced... definitely not the 'value' meal you would expect at a Denny's. 

I now sit here at home... roughly 7pm on a Monday and I am exhausted. A small tremor just happened now.. I was welcomed last night with a small tremor that was equal to one I experience back in Toronto. I will have to get used to these small shakes. 

Tomorrow I will write a more indepth thought I have had about what I have noticed here in Tokyo... for now, its time to rest...