We didn't go out on Friday night, but I still didn't make it to sleep until about 4am. I am clearly not on Tokyo time yet, but I am also not on Wisconsin time anymore. I think my body thinks that I am in Hawaii...
Anyway, I woke up around 11 this morning because everyone else was ready to go out and explore some more. We took the train the opposite direction as the day before, heading to Shibuya. Shibuya is like the Times Square of Tokyo, with tons of people, stores, and restaurants. We had brunch at a small cafe where I had my first full meat platter of the trip. It was nice to have some beef, but it was very expensive. The average rice/curry plate that I had been eating was around $5, and this meal cost twice that much.
Because of the direction we left the train station, we were a few blocks away from the main shopping area, and had no idea that it even existed until we stumbled across it after walking around for a while. I finally found an ATM that took American credit cards, and I took out enough cash to last until pay day. Edson and I left the girls in a huge 7 story shopping mall that exclusively sold women's clothing, and took off to look around. We ended up in another ritzy shopping center that had all the same brands from Ginza. We should have figured that we wouldn't be able to afford anything when we saw the Maserati parked out front...
We came across a more reasonably priced store, and I bought a pair of jeans. Edson found a jacket that he wants to come back for once we get paid. Shortly after we came out of the store it started pouring rain. Fortunately, I had the umbrella that was provided in my apartment, but my pant legs still got soaked. We found another shopping mall to stay dry in, and grabbed some authentic Japanese Starbucks to drink. I had a mocha frappachino and watched the people walk by on Tokyo's most famous crosswalk. This isn't my video, but this is the same spot that we were standing and watching.
Dinner was another curry platter in a small restaurant near our apartments, and I turned in early after watching the first 15 minutes of Lost in Translation. I woke up at 5am to Visa calling me, wanting to make sure I was actually in Japan and using my card at the ATM. I decided to stay up and make some phone calls back to the US. The first day of work starts at 9:30 today!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
First Day and a half in Tokyo!
I've made it to Japan! The trip over was long but pretty uneventful. I flew out of Madison on United to Chicago O'hare at 8 in the morning, and then caught a 10:50 flight direct to Japan on ANA. We flew on a Boeing 777, and I got an upgrade to Premium Economy. It certainly wasn't first class flying, but there was a little more leg room and a few other perks. I was really impressed with ANA as an airline, and the food and services were both some of the best that I have had on an airline. Stacey and Mike from our group were both on the same flight as me, although I did not see them until after we got on the ground.
Once we got into the Narita airport, we found that the express train to Tokyo was down for maintenance, and we had to take the local train into town. It was awkward traveling on the crowded train with our suitcases, but we managed allright. After switching trains in the Nippori station, we made it down to Shinagawa, the main train station of Tokyo. We met Masataka Ikeda in the terminal and took another train down to our apartments. We are one stop away from the main station where we will be working every day.
The apartments are right in the main business district of Tokyo, which was evident by the sea of men in suits passing through the train station and down the streets. Although very compact, the apartments are fully furnished and very nice. I will post some pictures and a description later on.
I took a short nap after we got settled in, and then went for a walk around the neighborhood with Edson when he arrived. We are right next door to two convenience stores, and a block away from some restaurants. We stopped in one of them for a late dinner and randomly ordered off of the menu since we did not know what it said. The cool thing about the small restaurants is that they have a vending machine outside that you make your selection on rather than paying inside. Once you have made a choice and paid you get a ticket with your order written on that you can give to the chef. This was nice for us because it meant we did not have to fumble through a conversation and only had to say arigato when we got the food.
This morning the whole group explored the area on foot, ate breakfast at another small restaurant, and went up to the Tokyo Tower. At some point during this adventure I either lost my camera or it got stolen. Thus, you do not get to see any pictures from today, and the detailed post about my apartment is delayed. I was also able to finally find a wireless network without a password, and call Nicole to say hello before she left on her trip to Costa Rica.
In the afternoon, Edson and I traveled on the train up to Electric City and Ginza. I was astonished by the vast number of stores dedicated to anime, action figures, and cheap electronics. What was even more mind boggling was the huge crowds that were in all of these stores. In Ginza we checked out the humongous Bic Camera store, and I bought a headset for making Skype calls on my computer. Search for me under my real name and give me a call sometime! Just keep in mind that it is 14 hours ahead of central time here.
Ginza was as ridiculous as Electric City, but for a different reason. The amount of money in this area was absurd. We walked by two Ferrari's, a few GTR's, Range Rovers, Porches, and other expensive cars. Every major fashion label and big name in jewelry or electronics was in this part of town. If I had the money I would be wearing a tailored suit and a Rolex watch right now.
We are probably going to head out to a local bar tonight, and do some more exploring tomorrow. First day of work is coming up on Monday!
Once we got into the Narita airport, we found that the express train to Tokyo was down for maintenance, and we had to take the local train into town. It was awkward traveling on the crowded train with our suitcases, but we managed allright. After switching trains in the Nippori station, we made it down to Shinagawa, the main train station of Tokyo. We met Masataka Ikeda in the terminal and took another train down to our apartments. We are one stop away from the main station where we will be working every day.
The apartments are right in the main business district of Tokyo, which was evident by the sea of men in suits passing through the train station and down the streets. Although very compact, the apartments are fully furnished and very nice. I will post some pictures and a description later on.
I took a short nap after we got settled in, and then went for a walk around the neighborhood with Edson when he arrived. We are right next door to two convenience stores, and a block away from some restaurants. We stopped in one of them for a late dinner and randomly ordered off of the menu since we did not know what it said. The cool thing about the small restaurants is that they have a vending machine outside that you make your selection on rather than paying inside. Once you have made a choice and paid you get a ticket with your order written on that you can give to the chef. This was nice for us because it meant we did not have to fumble through a conversation and only had to say arigato when we got the food.
This morning the whole group explored the area on foot, ate breakfast at another small restaurant, and went up to the Tokyo Tower. At some point during this adventure I either lost my camera or it got stolen. Thus, you do not get to see any pictures from today, and the detailed post about my apartment is delayed. I was also able to finally find a wireless network without a password, and call Nicole to say hello before she left on her trip to Costa Rica.
In the afternoon, Edson and I traveled on the train up to Electric City and Ginza. I was astonished by the vast number of stores dedicated to anime, action figures, and cheap electronics. What was even more mind boggling was the huge crowds that were in all of these stores. In Ginza we checked out the humongous Bic Camera store, and I bought a headset for making Skype calls on my computer. Search for me under my real name and give me a call sometime! Just keep in mind that it is 14 hours ahead of central time here.
Ginza was as ridiculous as Electric City, but for a different reason. The amount of money in this area was absurd. We walked by two Ferrari's, a few GTR's, Range Rovers, Porches, and other expensive cars. Every major fashion label and big name in jewelry or electronics was in this part of town. If I had the money I would be wearing a tailored suit and a Rolex watch right now.
We are probably going to head out to a local bar tonight, and do some more exploring tomorrow. First day of work is coming up on Monday!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
1.5 Days until launch
I am frantically running around town trying to simultaneously prepare for the trip and make the one week of summer that I have. In between preparing the dog to go over to my mom's house and making sure my bills will get paid, I have also made it to the terrace, camping, gone on a road trip to Iowa, and hung out with my friends.
My other big exciting news is that I proposed to Nicole this past weekend! And she said yes! Unfortunately, this also means that she wants to talk about weddings at every free moment. With her going to Costa Rica this June, and leaving for medical school in St. Louis in August, we are not going to have a lot of time together to start planning this summer.
Back to packing, but I will try and write again tomorrow once I am set to go.
My other big exciting news is that I proposed to Nicole this past weekend! And she said yes! Unfortunately, this also means that she wants to talk about weddings at every free moment. With her going to Costa Rica this June, and leaving for medical school in St. Louis in August, we are not going to have a lot of time together to start planning this summer.
Back to packing, but I will try and write again tomorrow once I am set to go.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
3 Weeks Until Launch!
In 21 days from now, I will be somewhere over the Pacific Ocean on a Boeing 777-300ER, heading for Japan! From May 29-July 25, I will be working for the Central Japan Railway Company, and living in Tokyo, Japan. This blog will serve as my journal, and be a chance for everyone to keep up with my life overseas.
I get done with work in one week, and have the final 14 days to get everything in order and pack my bags. Tomorrow I will be picking up some new luggage, a present from my dad for graduation. I have a pretty lengthy list of things to do before I go, with bills to pay, a dog to be taken care of, and packing everything up, to name a few.
It will be interesting to see how I fare in an unfamiliar country, with no Japanese language skills. At least one of the people in my group speaks the language, and apparently my co-workers will speak English, so I will not be totally lost. I named this blog "two handed chopsticks," a summation of how awkward I expect to be. Keep updated as I prepare for my trip, and look for posts and pictures from the East Pacific Rim.
I get done with work in one week, and have the final 14 days to get everything in order and pack my bags. Tomorrow I will be picking up some new luggage, a present from my dad for graduation. I have a pretty lengthy list of things to do before I go, with bills to pay, a dog to be taken care of, and packing everything up, to name a few.
It will be interesting to see how I fare in an unfamiliar country, with no Japanese language skills. At least one of the people in my group speaks the language, and apparently my co-workers will speak English, so I will not be totally lost. I named this blog "two handed chopsticks," a summation of how awkward I expect to be. Keep updated as I prepare for my trip, and look for posts and pictures from the East Pacific Rim.
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