Waffles and TP..

So, Kyoto has been an assortment of emotions since I've been here...I've learned that just because its cherry blossoms festival time - it doesn't mean the trees are paying any attention! They were barely starting, and I also found that a few types bloom earlier and later than others...They were still pretty all in all...but no postcard worthy pics here folks!

Oh, my room that I stayed in - lemme tell you about it...:P

So, I check in super early - its not ready, shocking...;) I walk around the city as I wait, which I come to find out is not the best part of the city...so I finally get my room - Let's just say brothels in the Ukraine are classier! This room is big enough for my shoes, there's sketchy bedding that I think someone may have died in, the pillow may as well have been a sand bag used to deter rivers from overflowing it was that comfy - and the best part - it's 30 degrees in the room and there's no heat! Oh wait, the heater they provide is a foot warmer - which I clung to like an overboard sailor to a lifering!

There are 1500 times a day you have to change your shoes as well...each time in the foyer, in the room, not on the tatami flooring, in the shower, out of the shower, in the bathroom stall, etc - it's kinda a pain....:P

Oh and ladies - be careful about TP when you are out in the more rural subway stops - apparently they haven't signed on to that quite yet or are still waiting for their shipment to arrive..so between the hole in the ground looking toilet and no TP - I may as well have been hiking K2!

The public baths here are very interesting and very Japanese...There are certain times of day for ladies and men to go and a serious strict protocol to follow - and you will be lashed if you screw up..So first you get naked with a bunch of saggy old men, then you proceed to the nearest shower head which you wash off, then scrub urself clean with soap, rinse and slowly lower yourself into the hottest hottub you will ever set foot in...I think I have figured out why there are so few people in Japan - the men ruin their sperm every time they take a bath - I'm talking ball blistering hot! After you feel light headed - jump out, pray to the gods for cool water and the ability to bear children, then grab your stuff and navigate through the homeless people on ur way home.

On a good note, which I generally like to end on...waffles and crepes are the "it" thing in the Japan...They have waffles with every kinda toping you would think of - they come in bite size, sandwich size - they even layer them in a dessert that is made in a beer pitcher! Crepes fall into the same field - but they come with ice cream in the middle, subbing the crepe for a cone - it's brilliant!

bubble space?

So, I decided that it would be a good time to go and see the Cherry blossoms in Kyoto since the backdrop for them are some of the world's most beautiful shrines, temples and castles...

Well, trying to be frugal, I decided on the cheap, overnight bus...hhmm...bad idea...

So, first off - they don't have signs where the buses wait to pick people up - you apparently just kinda know what store they are in front of - so there's me - running in Shinjuku with my bags - basically yelling out - bus to Osaka? Found it just in time, get into my seat - a bulk head, mind you, and attempt to settle in for the 9 hour journey.

My seatmate is a tall Japanese man - a little rounder than most of the Japanese I have seen thus far...;) He takes up most of the space we share and I didn't even attempt to put my arm near the armrest he had taken over...

After you get through all the loud snoring, obnoxious gutteral coughing, the high school girls texting lord knows who at 3 am - you end up with a seatmate that thinks it's ok to roll to one side and stick their large rear and smash you against the window....

At this point, my butt is totally numb from being asleep - I had to pee so bad I thought I might actually attempt the pee-in-a-bottle trick, and to top it all off - the guy had the worst breath - I didn't know that there is a kinda of sushi that should never be eaten before a long road trip - and he must have consumed 5 helpings!!

All in all, I made it to Osaka - a little bruised, a little nauseous...but overall mostly upbeat...

God, these cherry blossoms better blow my mind :)

gym time...

Ok, so finally I have been able to get back into the gym - not only did it take like an hour for the desk agents to figure out what I was talking about - then they wanted to charge me 25 bucks to go once! I was not about to have that...so after a bunch of Japanglish complete with hang signals, we agreed to let me go in a test out the place... I met this fun guy from NYC who is a teacher as well as a license to kill kinda Ninja guy...he was fun, but told me the gyms are ridiculously expensive here...

Best part of the day - Well, I guess my flashdance lessons finally paid off cause when I was there - the lady that runs the facility offered me a dance instructor job...I laughed since I had such a hard time getting into the place - then I'm there for 15 mins and they want me to stay..lol...I have to go back this week...:)

Looking into a university here as well - they apparently like to stock the universities full of foreigners so they look like the catalogues they send out. We can go for almost nothing to get a graduate degree - I'm gonna look into this cause it sounds like a good deal...

Oh, lemme just bitch about rice for a second - you would think that in the land of rice with every meal that it would be cheaper than bottled water - oh no my friend - that is a misconception! The rice here is super expensive! For a big bag that you usually get at home - it's about the same if not more! A big bag runs you like 50 bucks here - it's nuts!

Land of the techie gadgets?

Well as everyone in the English speaking world knows, Japan has always been on the forefront of anything that has to do with small little machines or robots that make life easier. I was one of those people...I've seen the crazy robots on tv or the tiny machines they have in their houses that basically clean for you...but when I got here - I found those things are just for show! There aren't little robots everywhere sweeping up after me or making my breakfast....It's crazy, it seems as though most of the country is actually behind on these techie times - most homes don't have dryers, they don't have cable TV and laptops are not found everywhere...Now, clothes on the other hand - they have tons of stuff in their homes....

One thing that I would like to point out is something that I was totally hoping for - a new high tech, super small, totally touch screen, basically the coolest thing ever phone - but alas, I can't. When sitting on the train - I have noticed that there are only 2 types of phone - the infamous iphone and these large flip phones. Now, in the states there are like 12 million different types of phones, colors, etc. But here in Japan is seems as though the only phone option is this square flat boxy looking thing that has texting ability. They don't use text messaging - instead they use emailing and connecting your phone to your personal websites. Its crazy!

There go my dreams of inserting some small device under my forearm and being able to text on my imaginary screen in front of me..:p

All in all, this is probably a good thing, since I text like a high school girl at home logging in at least 5000 messages a month - lets give my poor thumbs a breather!

the big J-O-B

Yeah! So, I'm finally employeed! I signed contracts yesterday - awesome feeling! I know work with a company called English Club and they are putting me in my own apartment way up in the country - so I'll be curbing my partying ways for a bit (yeah right;) Totally bummed though - they are gonna make me shave my beard so I'm gonna look 12 all the time now ;P Went out with my new coworkers last night and had a blast on St Patty's Day! There's always something going on in this city - something for everyone! There were tons of green Leprechauns running around the city - and by that I mean little asian men screaming about how great Irish people are..;) There are two of my new coworkers - they are so much fun! I think the asian girl is my long lost asian/irish sister from ATL...lol

Allnighters - which I'm currently coming out of my second back to back...;) They are rough - but hilarious - because that's when the most colorful people come out to play - most of them are just done being out at the bars and girls that we would normally applaud for their walk of shame are actually just going home from work...But it's so damn expensive to go out in Tokyo - take all the nights that you go out in a month in the states and double the number and spend that in a couple nights here in Tokyo - I mean $12 bucks for a beer?! That's totally normal too!

I did stumble upon a place that has an authentic burrito that challenges some of the best burritos that I've had in the States! They are so damn good!! Its funny to see restaurants that they have in the States - like TGIF's or Denny's but with really funny menus...

I did learn about this very new technique that some asian women do before they go out for the day or in the evening - they push their eyelids back with this crazy little tool - apparently, sometimes their upper eyelids get a bit swollen and they use this toothpick type thing and shove them back into the eye socket - lets just say watching it made my dinner start to gurggle in my belly - a lil horror-film-ish....

Okie - well I'm on my way to Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms and the festival in a week or so - hopefully I can still get a train seat....;) Lots of pretty pics to follow....;)

Earthquakes and Fried Chicken...

So, apparently we are in a totally earthquake prone area - we've had 3 since I've been here - its funny, I will be sitting at a bar and it'll shake and no one really notices..I was definitely online last night chatting and one happened - no one in the house even moved...

I was supposed to see another house to live in today, but the guy never showed up - so I hiked around the city of Shibuya and had fun. I ended up running into the St Patty's day parade - who knew so many Japanese liked Irish people...It was the funniest little parade - maybe a block long - complete with Bag pipes and all! Id post a pic, but for some reason my computer is kinda stupid and won't recognize today's pics....

But seriously - there were like 5000 people out in the street with full St Patty's day garb on! It was great - found a few fun people and partied at some bars in the area - so much for house hunting today! :P

Went to go see the Harajuku girls in the area today as well, but with the whole parade, there weren't very many of them out...but it was such a nice day I didn't care!

Oh, and I've decided that if Paula Dean were ever to move from the South - she'd have to move to Tokyo - I swear everything is fried! She'd be in heaven - they even have fried raw pasta as a snack at some bars! Thank god I walk like 15 miles a day or I'd be rolled outta the subways...;)

Just waitin to hear back about the job - hopefully it all works out..if not I'm playing for 6 months and then figuring out what they hell I'm gonna do with myself!

Muah!

Enough with the smoking please!

So, this city is known for its beautiful temples, shrines and pagodas - but what they didn't tell you was all the smoking that follows you around...I guess coming from Seattle - I'm spoiled in the fact that I don't have a cigarette constantly blown into my face....it's nuts - on trains, in restaurants and in bars, but I was talking to an Expat about what they are doing to get rid of all the smoking - and they have some new laws now where its only outside and they are working on it every where else - they said that it should be like the States in a few years...though I might have second hand smokers lung by then...:P

They also don't tell you about about all the public drunkenness that occurs every night...I had a guy fall on me in the subway last night and he reeked of Asahi beer! It is part of the whole after work thing, but I'm amazed that people don't say anything about it...

Subways are annoying how they only are in use until about 1230am, so all of us party kids are forced to stay overnight where we are - keep drinking - sing karoke - or take a $500 taxi back to our homes...If I spoke enough Japanese, I'd totally do a petition signing...ha!

On the bright side, I love the super market! Everything in the produce aisle looks like a present - they are all weighed out for you, all organized to be in the same direction in the bags, cleaned, trimmed and washed...it's quite pretty! Also, they have this great 100yen store - which is like our dollar stores in the states - but way better! They have little bits of everything and it's awesome!!

Rain rain go away..

So, it was supposed to snow this morning here in Tokyo - and damn, I sure didn't pack for that! Its been really cold and windy here, but when the sun comes out its so nice...

I've been really bad about posting pics on here, I need to look more like a tourist - I've been doing such a good job of blending in that I haven't even felt the need to snap photos! I have learned the lay of the land via the subways and I'm moving next month - so I get to play the pack up and go game again...I'll be moving into the actually downtown area. I don't really like having to take such a long subway ride each time I wanna come home...

I officially have a man bag - so now I can stuff all my junk into my new Fendi - lol jk...

My last interview is tomorrow - everyone keep your fingers crossed - and the job would start in a couple months! Whoohoo :)

Somedays I miss home - I miss my very finicky Starbucks order, the Pike place where I know what they are selling, trips to the bars and my car - but this is the stuff that builds our adventurous soul - the stuff real men are made of - haha ;)

Met with an American who has been here for 13 years and still loves it - he was a wealth of knowledge - ya know, the weird things that he's learned through trial and error - things I won't have to put myself through...;) God, I'm a sucker for an easy out...:P

Miss you all bunches!!!

Weekends in...

Weekends are gonna quiet for Mr. Dain here in Japan - the metro stops running, so unless you have someone to go home with, somewhere to stay or choose to drink until they start running again, you are are S.O.L.!

I was in an English style pub tonight having a Guinness when these two very sketchy older guys were talking about the two younger Japanese girls sitting next to me - they were so inappropriate that I decided to write about them on my little piece of paper - stating that "English men are pigs!" which is right when I noticed that he was standing over my shoulder staring at me writing it - oops! Good thing he was 3 sheets to the wind drunk and couldn't find his own fingers....The smoking issue is killing me - everyone does it, everywhere, all the time and it's nasty!

Oh, and if you are ever planning on coming over to Japan - pack a bag with a down parka, a tank top, shorts, uggs, gloves, flip flops - cause every department store has a different temperature scale - some thinks its fine to have it as hot as hades and others feel the North pole is more appropriate!

All right, here's to the quietest Saturday night I've spent in years! :)

I got sunburned today - i know ur all jealous..:)

So, it ended up being really hot out today - which I ended up kicking my long sleeveded self for...

Really good news - most guys in Japan carry around manbags!! yeah!!! Can't wait to get my new Birkin bag at Tod's...jk

But seriously - Burberry here is like Starbucks to us - there is one on every corner - and they all have people in them! Who ever said that Japan is in some kind of economic crisis is full of crap - people are throwing money around left and right...

Another positive note - I found asian happy hour! I'm so excited! And a few gay bars as well! They are tiny! For a reference - take the average sized apartment patio - stick a bar on it, put some stools around - and voila - that's a gay asian bar! Drinks are weak and the men are old - I'm gonna be sober for the next 2 years!!!

Lunching in the parks is very nice though...today was beautiful and very spring-like...

It's also very fun to know what if you have a cold in Tokyo - you never have to buy your own Kleenex - it's given our like candy on every corner! It's awesome!

Things I've learned thus far...

Pushing is ok, especially into someones back you don't know, who may have horrible BO or awful perfume...

Starbucks is not really Starbucks here - it's this strange coffee stop off with 3 options for coffee, which tastes like its all come out off a sugar can...

I may die from the salt intake - since everything seems to be loaded with it and I'm sure my doctor is gonna have a hayday with my blood pressure when I get home...

A European bidet and a Japanese bidet are two very different things - nuf said...

Don't try to play with the neighborhood cats - they aren't cuddly...

Smiles work miracles, unless you want to be left alone...

Everything is expensive - but it's all worth it cause it's an adventure, and where else can you get fast food that rivals Dick's Drive in time and is twice as delicious?!

Ohiyo!

So Tokyo is a crazy city - my first day was overwhelming! Everyone runs in the subway, I was body checked twice by old ladies half my size! The addresses are nothing likes the ones in the States - so you may end up on the wrong side of the city before you realize the numbers have jumped - and cue to me! Though, people are very nice and accommodating - everyone says yes and they just giggle when they don't understand me...which is expected since most people can't...:) Pictures will follow, I just got a camera yesterday. Gonna go and explore more of the city today - I'll keep ya posted! Wish me luck! :)

Here we go!

So, I'm sitting in the airport at Sea tac - waiting for my flight and guess what - it gets delayed in San fran...damn fog! Now, they are gonna have to bounce me all over to get to Japan - thank god for Xanax or I'd be all over the place...;) We'll I'll be posting funny pics, videos and things I do while I'm in Japan - write to me so I feel like I'm kinda connected to the world across the big pond!