Konichiwa

I'm back from Tokyo and glad to be home! I had a great trip, but I think at heart I am a bit of a home body and I am happy to be in my own apartment again. I very much like my creature comforts!

First thing first, I was totally fine in the toilet on the plane. Thanks for your comments, you really reassured me. I got on the plane and the first thing I did was test the toilets, then the seat belt and then that the tray could go down and I was ok with everything. I was ok in the seat, but I culd definitely do with a little more room to move...

Tokyo was much more overwhelming then I thought it would be. I was totally un-prepared for the culture shock, but it was a great experience. I spent most of my free time lost and confused. I got totally lost in Shinjuku train station and couldn't even find my way out, it was like a maze. I had no idea how hard it is to get around without language skills. I felt like I was walking around blind folded.

I felt like a giant compared to my tiny colleagues- if you ever want to feel fat, go to Japan! Everyone was lovely though and took me out for some great food and sake. I struggled to eat on my own and found myself going to Sizzler or for pizza because I couldn't understand the menus. The night I tried to go to a traditional Japanese restaurant I ended up eating tempura shrimp legs and leaves. Even when I tried to order normal food I would make mistakes and order 2 meals instead of 1 or a dish with mushrooms (which I don't eat). I also know why Japanese people are so thin, the portions are tiny. I was hungry almost the entire time I was there and found myself filling up on coke, pringles and oreos- the only food brands I recognised!

It is such an amazing city and I felt very safe even though I was so completely confused. I was there for work, but I managed to squeeze in some sight seeing. I spent a day in Shinjuku walking around the streets and looking in shops and a day in Ginza (window) shopping and then went to a kabuki show. Then I went on a bus tour and saw the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Asakusa Temple, Sumida River cruise, a Japanese tea ceremony and a sake bar.

Some observations about Tokyo: Everyone is polite (even if they don't mean it!), the streets are super clean, the fashions are cool, people work very hard, they eat rice and drink tea with every meal, the electronics are awesome, they love baseball, the trains are crazy busy, you can smoke in restaurants and the history and culture of the country is amazing. I know it sounds very stereotypical, but it was my experience anyway.

Here are some photos...

My hotel was part of an amusement park, strange, but fun!


A tempura bar at my hotel


Shrimp legs... am I supposed to eat those???


The view from my hotel room


My hotel room had a bidet, I think I am hooked!



Asakusa Temple


Nakamise shopping arcade


Me on a river cruise


The Imperial Palace


Bonsai!


Japanese tea ceremony


Tokyo Tower


A gorgeous little girl in traditional dress


Me in Ginza


The Kabuki theatre


Korean BBQ plate- Yum!


Pizza in a cone- what a brilliant idea!


Cheers to sake!


Soba noodles- Don't wear white when eating...