04/07/09 - Meeting Lucy
Half of the first bottle we each had was drunk, we found out in the morning. Awaking with a hangover, each, we'd apparently slept through the first few snoozes. Meaning we had 30 mins to get packed up and leave before fines... it was tempting... but got out in time. This hostel didn't seem too bothered, but some I have stayed in have been very precise about it. And considering we're in Japan, where 1 min past - is late, I thought being early is a good way to go. We used up our "free welcome drink" for breakfast and Karen spent £2 on toast! Ahem, 'Continental breakfast', myself not too hungry, or at least not with my stomach doing sommersaults.
So heading off after a nice sit down in the hostel, we went to the train station, but as there was one tourist spot to see in Ikebukuro, it seemed a waste to not see it, even if we had all our bags with us! :) Sunshine was what we sought. A giant city in a building in the form of a shopping arcade! Following the surges of people all headed that way we soon got in and got lost in the maze of floors, passageways and more. This was where
Food was needed, but not particularly wanted. So I went in search of rice. A nice simple mixed rice would be great, nothing too bad to upset my stomach. And so popping into a small japanese lunch restaurant we tried to communicate with the greeter. Seemed his job was to get people in and make sure they knew how to use the machine. You buy what you want from the writing, and get tickets, sit down and the waiters come and collect and bring you what you order. We ordered... juice. Juice only. "Juice only" he said, "juice only" we replied. However once it quietened down and the juice was lovely and cold, we asked for rice. "Just rice", just rice. Well rice each and more juice.
They appear so happy, and a lot of chatting goes on in the little cafes and restaurant between staff with laughter. Whether this is put on or not, who knows, but Japan seems like America in terms of service = 'Service with a smile', not like England...
On the train we went to Ueno to meet Lucy, we ere early by more than an hour, but the plan was to vege in the park and be comfortable. This we did, seeing performers who could rotate balls in their hands in a Labyrinth type fashion, very impressive and somthing I want a go at (how hard can it be - well years of practice I'm told). So as 2pm was here Karen sat with the bags whilst I went to look to the station and back. I was wondering if she'd changed plans via email, or could be delayed. Maybe she'd be in Kimono or coloured cloths and I'd not be able to recognise her? But before long I saw Lucy. Black goth dresses as always tucking into Octopus balls.
Lucy san. She is cured bless her. Her vegetarian ways are at an end (until she goes back to the UK she says, but I believe there is hope)
So after looking at a random white rabbit which looked like it was being taken for a walk, like dogs are normally, we discussed what to do. Leaving our bags in the lockers, Lucy took us off to 'The famous crossway' which is seen and photographed a lot, as the masses of people swell behind the lights and then surge forward when the green men light. That's one thing, EVERYONE waits for the green man before crossing (except for a few badass kids) even when the roads are clear. So we do the same :) This is Shibuya and walking on we headed to the park and the area known for bullied kids to come at the weekend and dress up as other people (cos-play at it's greatest) Although it seemed it was also the scene of a popular concert with girls in, quite literally ALL sorts of clothing (think Alice in Wonderland dresses with matching umbrellas, socks, shoes) queuing up to see 'GHOST' a pretty looking male solo artist.
Shibuya crossing and a typical view of Tokyo!
Some of the many dressed up girls, of which I sadly have only one photo as was in awe too much! So many frills!
I did see at least 2 guys in the 3000 strong female army heading to the concert! :) So we walked back and into Starbucks. Lucy to get her coffee fix. I managed to unwittingly get the Green Tea ice drink (very nice though I thought it was mint when I ordered it - still seemed the best 'odd drink' but it was great being 'Matcha' as again I am trying odd new things :) So then, getting late, we decided to head back to Mito to get our bearing and have a meal.
Anyone for a cool pee milkshake? (at least it's not hot!)
The train ride back was fine, if not sleepy, and as we got off at Lucy's station stop we went for the restaurant closest that she'd not yet been to. Oooh it was good. We had to take off shoes to get in. Still cramming our bags in the little spaces, we sat in the sunken floored seats and in our own private - paper thin walls. A few cocktails laters, some fish I had to pull the spine out of and more cocktails, we were merrily singing on the way home. Sleep was in the form of floor.
I can use chopsticks which is proven here in the meal we had!