Back in Tokyo

* sorry, this post was supposed to go up Thursday*

After all my trips to mountains, cities, race tracks and hot springs, I've decided to take a break a little and just relax in my home city of Tokyo. After all, there is still plenty to do here (it is the world's largest city, after all).

So after another week of classes, Saturday I headed out for Yoyogi Park, a big, Central Park like park. Some of the events from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics were held here, like gymnastics (the arena is across the street). While I was there, I bumped into a vintage car rally, a Shinto Shrine (where it happened to be wedding day, lots of people getting married), street performers (a lot of bongo drummers, rock bands and wannabe pop groups)and a Sri Lankan culture festival (good food). A good majority of the park was forested over and therefore easy to get lost in within it's maze of winding paths.

Afterwards, I walked around a nearby neighborhood called Harajuku. This is the teenager capital of Tokyo. It's full of kids and the weird stores they shop at. Kids like to come here on weekends and dress up in outrageous clothing; it's usually girls dressed up as Gothic Victorian baby dolls (Gothic Lolita). I have one picture, but search the Internet and you'll plenty of examples of the interesting fashion here.

Last stop that day was Omotesando Rd., the so called Champs-Élysées of Tokyo. Yea, it was very upscale, and since Tokyo is one of the world's most expensive cities, the prices here will make your head explode. It's a nice road to walk along; it's lined with trees and gorgeous contemporary architecture, but it was Saturday and people were crawling over the streets and side walks.

Sunday I walked around Roppongi and Akasaka, the supposedly international areas of Tokyo because of this were many embassies and expats live (Akasaka is where the U.S. Embassy is, which is a huge complex by the way, way bigger then any other embassy in Tokyo). I stopped by a random temple and walked in and out of a few famous building, etc. Then I had the sudden urge to cut my hair. So I walked in the nearest barber shop. By the way, haircuts in Tokyo are ridiculously expensive (good price is $50, for a man). I got mine pretty cheap, but I guess I'm not happy with it. I think the problem was that I don't speak Japanese. Next time, I'll definitely going to someone who speaks English. Anyway, when I walked in the shop, there were 4 barbers standing around watching TV. As soon as I walked in, they all ran over to me and tried to get me to sit in their chair, etc. Very confusing and funny. One guy slapped his chair with a towel, so I sat in his chair.

Last stop that day was Shibuya, home of the world's busiest train station (2 million passengers daily). It's also the biggest skyscraper district in Tokyo and a huge shopping district (for department stores, at least) as well. I went in a few stores and yet again, the prices blew me away. I keep hearing Thailand is a good place to shop, I might have to head down there...because Tokyo is ridiculous for shopping.

Events during this week thus far: nothing really. Attempted to cook on Wednesday. Was ok, but was also disastrous in other ways. We won't get into details. Lately, I've had this fascination with food. I went to a gourmet burger shop Tuesday and got ripped off ($3 for 6 onion rings? Never again...). Had Indian on Wednesday (better). Favorite thus far however is this Japanese place. Good prices and they give me a ton of food. I usually get a beef bowl (bowl of rice with, you guessed it, beef and fried onions) and a small plate of rice and curry. I cover it all with chili powder. Water is free. And viola, I'm full, fuller than any of the other places I go to. And for the same price or less.

Ok, that's it for now. Ciao.