Sami in Japan- Part 1

It’s 8AM on day two in Tokyo. I’m sitting in the hotel room and watching what seems to be the Japanese version of The View. I’m surprised though, that the women are not yelling and interrupting each other.

Anyways, it hasn’t even been a full 24 hours and I’m already having such an amazing time. Arrived at Nartia International Airport at 3:15PM and to my delight it wasn’t that hard to navigate through. There were English signs everywhere and if everything else failed, I just followed the rest of the people. To be honest, I have used barely any Japanese. I am shocked at the level of English in street signs/menues/train stations. I counted on being embarrassed multiple times due to my horrible speaking skills but hasn’t happened so far. Maybe once I start leaving the city…We’ll see.

Last night, dinner was eaten at Shibuya. A neighborhood, or ward, known for fashion centers and restaurants among young people and a major nightlife area. One thing that I kept asking myself is “where did these people come from?!” there were so many people…everywhere. When I asked if it’s always like this I was told yes. It wasn’t some sort of rush-hour. It’s always this busy. It’s extraodrinannry to be surrounded by so many people.

@benedictwong, on twitter, asked me to use a bathroom ASAP. Well, why do you ask that Benedict? I feel like this is an inside joke between people that have experienced the toilets of Japan. It’s unlike anything I have experience…quite odd would be how I would describe it after using it for the first time. Here’s a photo of what the side of the toilet looks like. You know, you see photos and you think you know what you’re up against but nothing can prepare you for that!

The train I took form the airport might actually pass for an airplane interior but it’s only the train. Take that CTA! This one actually had assigned seating too so when you buy the ticket it has your seat number and you must sit there.

A favorite hobby of mostly Japanese girls are these photo booths or PuriKura (short for “Print Club”). You go in there, take photos of yourself with your friends and get creative with adding captions, animations, icons, etc. That was a lot of fun to be in. As soon as you get inside the booth (and I didn’t realize it until the photos were taken) pop-dance music starts playing to get you in the mood.

I think that’s pretty much it for the 1st six hours. Barely got any sleep last night because I was on sensory overload and brain couldn’t stop working!  Talk to you later!