For Tracey's last weekend here me and Kumiko (Dave Samon's girlfriend and my new local buddy!) took her for some good old fashioned sight seeing; so we went to a Brazilian Samba festival (offical site) in the old-style part of town: Asakusa. The parade was nice enough, but I get the feeling it's far from the original Carnivale in Rio, especially as most of the Japanese dancers in the parade tended to be slightly aged and a little past their used by date. But it was great to finally get to see Asakusa, it's a real cool place. Here they have some more traditional buildings and a huge temple in the centre of town.
On Sunday we met Eri and headed to Tama Zoo which kicks ass. It's basically in the forest which means the enclosures are all big and natural looking. If I was a wild animal I wouldn't mind living there. The highlight was going on a bus which drives into a huge lion enclosure with about 30 lions. They put some meat on the bus so the lions come up and eat it 2 feet in front of your face. The bus driver was a bit of a but, trying to hit the lions, but the bus was too slow and they got out of the way in time. The butterfly insectarium suprisingly kicked ass too, although the Australian animals section was fairly lame though; could only see one kangaroo (and we have more kangaroos than people) and koalas are not the liveliet little fellows. But still a worthy day trip.
Other than that, started back at the junior high school which has been fun but well tiring. I am working every week in September, so I'll be a fairly fatigued by the end of it and much richer also. In absolutely fantastic news, I am moving to a sweet joint!!! (See here) No more psycho-christians binding devils and keeping me awake!!! It's not far from where I live now, but brand new and much bigger rooms and less of them; should be heaven compared to this place.
So sayonara Tracey! Was great to see you! I look forward to the next time I have visitors from home, and I'll have a nice place to stay then too (the offer is always open). Later, stay genki!
[Just realised there are no photos with Kumiko in it. so here is one]
Took the Shinkansen (bullet train) on Saturday morning down to Osaka for the weekend. Crazy train, feels more like a plane than a train really. First on the agenda was the major tourist spot: Osaka Castle for a view of the city and a taste of traditional Japan. Despite the air conditioning and elevators, the castle still offers an idea of what Japan was like 200 years ago.
Next up was the Osaka Aquarium to see some fish. The place was huge and had otters, penguins, dolphins and even a whale shark in the insane building. The seals live in an open air section at the top of the building so you can hear their barks reverberate over the whole harbour. Me & Brad let our man love show by buying the "sunset double pass" which got us entry to the aquarium and to the worlds biggest ferris wheel for a romantic sundown view.
Then for dinner we head down to the city centre Shinsaibashi for some of Osaka's reknown Okonomiyaki. Tasty indeed. One of my students recommended to go to "the bridge" which is apparently a famous pick up spot, but all we could see was some British travellers talking about pills.
The next day was time for the Summer Sonic concert at the Osaka ports. Giant venue, almost too big. To get around the stages was a bit of a hike. It was a good gig, but it should've been great. After watching some all-image/no-soul Japanese music acts, we caugh the terrific French band Phoenix, who were definately the highlight of the day. Next up were the New York band "The Rapture" who also put on a good show with plenty of cowbell going on. Then we hit up the 'club' type venue to see Ugly Duckling & Spank Rock who were both pretty good.
The next time slot was supposed to be filled by Keane the UK soft-cock rockers who I have a soft spot for, but they cancelled due to 'family matters'; I wish it could've waited another day. Next up was the Flaming Lips show (video here) which was good value for a little while. I dont really like their music but their live show is crazy: excessive baloons, streamers, cool costumes (santas & aliens on stage), giant inflatable dinosaurs, superman, and other assorted good-time nonsense. Then for the finale we were supposed to go see Daft Punk, however 000's of other people had the same plan, which created a queue hundreds of meters long that didnt move very quickly cause no one was leaving the hall. Boo! What a downer, I left a bit unsatisfied but it was still a good reason to take a trip to Osaka. (The queue for Daft Punk; boooo!!!!)
On Monday we went to Minoh-quasi national park to take a look at the waterfall and have a splash in the river. Beautiful spot, supposed to be lots of monkeys there but I didn't see any. Lots of families trying to catch rock fish with little nets. Just before getting the train back we went to an open air city viewing platform for some city snaps and to farewell the city.
Overall it was a good time, definately needed to get out of Tokyo for a little while. Didn't meet too many locals but not to worry, still had a good time. I look forward to the next trip and getting my own camera to go nutso with! (These ones are courtesy of Brad)
(The man with the biggest sword gets the girls ifyouknowhatimsayin.)
Spent the weekend in Saitama (an hour out of Tokyo) for another fireworks festival and a day trip to Naga Toro river. Eri suprised me by wearing her yukata; it's basically a summer kimono (made of cotton) which are very cute indeed. Her parents live in Saitama so I stayed at the family home for the weekend. They were very nice and hospitable, they tried their best to speak English and I tried my best to speak some Japanese.
It was heaven to hear the silence out in the suburbs; since moving to Komazawa I haven't heard silence. It was also nice to take a drive out into the country. Took a boat ride down the Arakawa river where people go for kayaking. Then we took a swim, although we didn't bring swimmers so I had to expose the Japanese public to my ratty boxer shorts, while Eri swam in her dress. We got some strange looks but it was well worth it to swim in the beautiful natural water.
Then the parents took us out to a seafood restaurant for dinner; ate all kinds of delicious seafood including shabu-shabu, sashimi, a giant oyster and whale (gomenasai!) which is very politically incorrect of me... I felt a little guilty (but it was tasty).
Other than that not much to report. Just been going to school, swimming/tanning & working everyday. Last week after class we tried our hand at origami (I made a mutant crane) and I got to try on a kimono with the traditional samurai gear including 2 katanas (swords), as to be expected I got a little carried away and started yelling for sake and extorting the locals for money. Good clean fun. Next week me & Brad are off to Osaka for the Summer Sonic festival, which should be great. Until then...
Unfortunately had to cancel the Fuji Rock trip due to the selling out of carpark tickets. There is a train but Brad had some good reasons for why it was not worth it. Instead we will be taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka for Summer Sonic. But I think it worked out for the best because I had another great weekend anyway.
Tracey is in town for a little while, turns out she is staying at a friends place which is a 2 minute bike ride from my house. Also my roomie from Korea: Reuben was here visiting his brother. So on Friday I met Trace and her friend Kumiko for a beer at an English pub and did some catching up. Then we tried to go see 2 Many Dj's at Womb but predictably the club was well full with hordes of people still showing up in hope of getting in. Trace & Kumiko went to another club, but I stuck around because Eri was already inside. Eventually I weasled my way in, only to catch the last song of 2 Many Dj's... what a bummer.
It was still an insane party, crazy venue packed full of trendy Tokyo-ites. Hot as hell in the main room from all the bodies packed in there. Still I managed to find Eri nad have a decent time. Saturday saw the arrival of Reuben 6 months after I last saw him. Was great to catch up with him in a new continent. Saturday night was quiet but very nice; just went to an izakaya and then drank some cheap drinks in Komazawa park just like back in the day. Experimented with some "jump photos" which I will post when I get em.
Sunday took Reuben on an express tour of Tokyo; city view in Shinjuku and the Harajuku to Shibuya walk through Yoyogi park, before he had to catch his plane. Short but sweet visit. Then met the woman for a night view from the 45th floor of the crazy Metropolitan Government Building then some pork nabe from the Korean part of town. I was originally pissed to have to cancel my Fuji Rock trip but I think it turned out for the best.
[P.S. It turned out that part of Fuji Rock came to me in the form of a Wolfmother sighting in Shibuya. The guys walked right past me while I thought to myself 'I should say hello'. Predictably I couldn't think of anything to say, but really what can you say except as Reuben suggested: "you guys are awesome!!!". But thats not really my style, I would say something more like: "great music... I've downloaded all your stuff!" Hmm... doesn't have the same effect.]
Lived in Tokyo for a year teaching English.
Travelling through Europe, a little of North America, Mexico and then South America before heading home (via Japan & South East Asia).
For Tracey's last weekend here me and Kumiko (Dave Samon's girlfriend and my new local buddy!) took her for some good old fashioned sight seeing; so we went to a Brazilian Samba festival (offical site) in the old-style part of town: Asakusa. The parade was nice enough, but I get the feeling it's far from the original Carnivale in Rio, especially as most of the Japanese dancers in the parade tended to be slightly aged and a little past their used by date. But it was great to finally get to see Asakusa, it's a real cool place. Here they have some more traditional buildings and a huge temple in the centre of town.
