Yoyogi Park II

This past weekend I toured Yoyogi Park for a second time, but this time with company. My friend and I walked around the park, this time exploring the far ends of the park. Its a really nice gem in Tokyo. I wish Toronto was connected to High Park much better than it is. Yoyogi Park can be reached by multiply subway lines and is easy walking distance form many other stations. Toronto has a lot of missed opportunities for its park spaces. The waterfront is still disconnected from the city and the existing parks are almost forgotten. 

There is also the problem in Toronto of the people themselves. Japanese descend upon the park spaces and do all sorts of activities. When walking the park you can see people sunbathing, group dancing, duopping, reading, setting up bands, drinking, eating, and so much more... the space is appropriated by the people. Toronto people still seem highly conservative.... come on people, get out and have fun. 

This coming weekend I'll be joining my friend and her friends for an outdoor BBQ at a park. We'll take all our foods and drinks and set up on the grass. It will be a whole days even. For a culture that works insane hours, they really make a point of enjoying the little things. Its not a perfect system here, but it feels much better to spend any free time socializing with friends and relaxing than holding up in a living room watching TV.

But enough ranting about differences. I've been loosing weight I suspect. My face is looking a little leaner, almost younger looking. Pants are very loose now and I am having to make another hole in my belt. Its not surprising though, I snack far far less than I did back in Toronto. I drink a lot less coffee too. Even though I'll eat lots of grilled foods and drink beer, my overall intake is far lower. Less guilt such as tonight when I got my fill of takoyaki from a street vendor and a beer. Which I have to make a note of, its the first red ale I have had make in Japan. I give them high marks, they really know how to make a good beer here. 

Anyways, as I mentioned in my previous blogs that I will be writing them soon one my phone on the way to and form work. This was the plan except they phone I received from a HK selling turned out to be an American model of phone... had to send it back and hoping for a quick return of the model that can work here... its been 5 weeks with no cellphone, very odd feeling. So hopefully soon you'll be getting more blogs and much deeper topics. 

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.