6am, breakfast again, more
toast and soup. Around 8 we headed to Ginza, but we arrived a bit earlier than
expected so places were not open yet. We hung around for a bit near the police
box and observed the wanted posters. By 9 we started moving throughout the
city, observing the unique and innovative architecture. The overall feeling of
Ginza is very mature, clean (like Tokyo in general is clean, but Ginza was a polished
clean). We passed an Apple store, with its array of shiny new computers,
laptops and app releases. Irrelevant to me, but a couple members of our group
downloaded the free app. Next was Nissan's show room, featuring their new
electric car. I was kind of disappointed that there was no sports cars to see,
but one of the attendants brought me a free catalogue and DVD featuring their
cars :) It turned out she was studying English, but I had my first legit
Japanese conversation with her about school and various things.
From Ginza to Minato and Tokyo Tower. One the way to Shiba Park (where Tokyo
Tower stands) we passed a memorial for aborted and lost (dead) children. This
memorial stretched farther than the eye could see, as an arrage of colorful
dolls in rows. At the entrance, sorrowful mothers left apologies and wrote to
their unborn child. Dr. Hara read a couple aloud, and coupled with the scene of
all the dolls, it was a really sad experience.
From there we passed a sculpture-set dedicated to a group of dogs that had been
abandoned during the Korean war(?) and out of 40 (?) only a few survived. Kinda
of a sad day- But it got better! Our tickets took us up to the first
observation floor of the Tower. It was definitely high, above their tallest
buildings; from above we could see graveyards, schools, a soccer field on a
roof (they do exist! awesome innovation for space there), and the riveryards.
On the lone bench sat what I'm guessing was the mascot, or at least a feature
from their dinosaur exhibit in the museum below. Downstairs there was also a
huge giftshop, several other novelty shops and a horror exhibit/theater. In one
of the machines I found a Tokyo Tower-Hello Kitty coin, which provided a unique
and quick souvenir for a friend.
It was at the Tokyo Tower that I had my first run in with a squat
toilet!!!1!!!!!111!!! oh yeah. Not un-enjoyable..? Um, not sure how to describe
it, it wasn't that big a deal, haha. I just didn't have a handercheif to dry my
hands with after I washed them, but really, just squat low enough and face the
right way. After leaving Tokyo Tower there was a couple high school groups
waiting to go in. They took group pictures, which was nice to see.
From Tokyo Tower we returned to the station area for lunch. 8 of us hit up a
CocoIchiban Curry shop :) The chicken curry was great, for my first curry rice
it was the perfect spice level. A couple crazy people (Tim) ordered a 4, which
was hot for him, yet Victor and Worada had 4-5 and were fine :/ Experienced
people I guess. Also, when you order an Ice Tea it comes black with the
cream/milk and liquid sugar on the side, which makes it even more fun!
Off to Ebisu's Beer Musuem... well, I didn't pay too much attention cause I
have no interest in beer. But the place was decorated in a very classy way, and
the actual museum part showed the involvement of beer throughout Japan's
history (and how it kept coming back when it was banned). Dr. Hara treated
everyone to a drink/taste test (like 100 yen) but Lynnette and I couldn't drink
so we had a grapefruit drink from the vending machine instead XD
That night I had a "meeting" with Dr. Hara and an old student, which
took place at an Izakaya. I swear, you would not know that the Japanese could
ever be loud... until you go to an Izakaya. Of course, they were drunk and
partying at their little tables, but surprisingly loud nonetheless.
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