Damn Storms

After I finally recovered from last night and ventured to to the Roppongi district, the day actually turned into the best photo session I've had thus far. I got some nice urban shots and I found and awesome marble building that I probably used half a roll of film on (see picture below). When I started heading back to the subway station to head to another area of town, it started storming. And I mean full blown thunderstorm.

I made it about half-way to the Roppongi Station so I decided to slip into a restaurant to grab some food and wait it out. After the grub and a couple beers it didn't seem to be slowing down so I made a run for the station. I didn't even have a jacket let alone an umbrella. And any of you that know me well know that at the mature age of 25, I'm still semi-terrified of thunder. The lightning is cool, it's just the aftermath that sends my nerves into a craze.

I made it to the station and back to my hotel without getting too wet but now I don't know what to do with myself. As long as I refrain from doing any work during my vacation, it'll be OK.

Time out...

I'm taking what is becoming my daily afternoon break. I left the hotel about 9a.m. and probably haven't stopped walking since, with the exception of my time on the subway.

I hit another park today, Ueno Park. To the East of the park there is a huge market area spanning over many narrow streets in a basic grid. Many of the shops were selling the same stuff, mostly purses and outrageously priced sneakers. (no I didn't buy any) I did find a really neat antique shop that I may revisit to pick up some traditional Japanese stuff to bring home.

I was reluctant to visit some of the shops because I couldn't see what was on the inside and couldn't read the signs on the outside. It sucks that there is such a language barrier. Of course when I went to buy a ticket for the Tokyo National Museum they automatically spoke to me in English. Is it that obvious? ;)

The Tokyo National Museum currently has a Di Vinci exhibit that outlines his entire career in somewhat of a psychological form. It sounded really cool but it walked you through the exhibit with an audio guide that they did not offer in English. Oh well.

The rest of the museum was what interested me anyway, Japanese history through art. I couldn't take any pictures but they probably wouldn't have been that interesting anyway. That kind of stuff is only worth seeing in person as far as I'm concerned.

After I relax for a few, I'm going to head to another district and try to find the venue I'm going to tomorrow night to get an advance ticket. I'm not sure if I can handle the night life in Tokyo but I have my energy vitamins to keep me going.

The shows I'm going to tonight and tomorrow night start around 10p.m. with the headliners going on around 3 a.m. The shows wrap up around 5a.m. Luckily for me they sell iced coffee in all the vending machines as well.

Video

The quality isn't great but it gives you the idea.

Gardens and Shibuya

I spent most of the morning running around the Imperial Palace Garden and the Hibya-koen garden. When I started out, I was a little shy about carrying my camera around my neck. Not for security reasons but I hate looking like a tourist. I came to realize that with my camera out or not I was obviously a tourist, so I went with it.

I decided to check out the US Embassy but after searching for it forever, I gave up and hit up an Irish Pub for lunch. I'm still intimidated about the language barrier and the Irish Pub's menu was in English. I bet I was really close to the Embassy and didn't realize it.

After lunch I headed to Shibuya on the subway. The transportation system here seems to be pretty easy. I was able to pretty much figure it out right away as opposed to the first time I was in New York.

As soon has I exited the Shibuya station, all I could see were huge TV screens and people. OMG, people everywhere. I'm sure you've seen a video at some point or another. If I find one, I'll post it up here as well.

After getting lost a hand-full of times and finally finding an ATM that accepts American cards, I headed back to my hotel to chill for a few hours and let my legs take a rest. I can't remember the last time I walked so much.

Finally in Tokyo!

I made it to Tokyo and to my hotel with no problems. I haven't traveled too far from my hotel room since I'm exhausted but I may go out in an hour just because.

My hotel is pretty sweet though. I discovered when I got here that I get free breakfast every morning and free drinks and appetizers in the evening. The downside, I have to pay to use the internet. :( This means I won't be able to post as often as I hoped to but I'm sure I can make it work.

I haven't really made any plans as to what I'm actually going to see tomorrow but figuring out the subway system is at the top of my list. I'll probably spend the morning wandering around just to let it sink all in.

I don't think it has registered that I am on the other side of the world.