17/07/09 - Shopping shopping shopping
...And she wonders why I want to get a room together for tommorrow?
It's more than 10 minutes since we were supposed to meet. The other people have gone (we could have travelled together). It's 5am. Where the f##k is she? I wouldn't mind but I was the one wanting to go at 7am. Not 5am. Infact the room appears to be swaying? Water is good, especially after beer when you've not had any all night (due to my bottle being thrown away)
Urggh did I mention it's 5am?
Fish market was alright. We walked down and they had the little hand electric carts (I've used them before somewhere?) whizzing around and people working and running, carrying boxes of all sorts. Saw some interesting things, but mainly a red fish with HUGE eyes, and the huge fish, worth 5500 to 7000 according to Karen and her RG. That's a lot of sushi. Still at that time I didn't feel like sushi (actually am japanese fooded out) and Karen... wanted a KFC.
We came back and she was off to try that bank again, whilst I slept. Now it's 10am and I'm waiting. Otherwise not sure what to do as she's not left any messages and I need to go shopping today, the plan was to split but AFTER we had a hostel. Lets hope I can get cash at the post office.
Cash recieved. Karen is here. Now we paid for another capsule night and are spliting up. Karen went for the boat trip and saw a few sights. I went shopping. I thought taking out a few hundred pounds would mean I was fine for the night and yet... shopping. I ran out of money.
I wanted to go to a variety of places in Tokyo and thank god I bought the day pass. I was on and off the subway like a loony. Starting around Shibuya, I eventually found 109 shopping centre (girls only shops, no photos) after geting lost in the Sega games rooms. And finding the only english manga I can find in any shops is "dragonball" (my first manga collection) typical. Still it was cheap and tempting as mine are in french!
After failing to see the manga place, as I kept finding myself on the love hotel hill. More than once. At 11am, not as fun a place as it could be I'm sure... so I headed off for shops. Getting confused with their signs I keep walking off different rooms, but soon found the place I was after, buying a top for now, as less sweaty and japanesey, and another as it has funny bad english (still Lucy's favourite "JUICE = I fucking love" is a winner).
Still I managed to find the oriental bazaar and spent most of my money there. On a few things. Mainly for the house. So then headed off to Nagano to find the original Manadrake shop (3 stories of small shaops specialising in anything manga/anime. Was good but nothing in english, though they DO have the "other type" of manga, the manga museum didn't have (saw your Yaoi Sarah, and the rest) so then headed back and found Todai! Yes if all else failed I did do the one bit of Love Hina I could do! I touched Todai, I saw the place. Took photos! Makes it more real!
So then carrying all my things, I headed off to the Electronics capital. With maids on my mind. We had both decided to go for a maid cafe, but as neither of us had any idea when we'd be doing it, it had to be done alone. I found them, Karen didn't. Basically they are normal cafes, but they are arranged so they can be very serving? Like kneeling down infront of me to give the menu, take an order, etc. When the food was served (went for an expensive drink and cake - couldn't afford a photo too, as they are prohibited as can be sold inside, randomly outside is fine?) but otherwise was 8 quid for a small soft drink and slice of cheese cake, mainly to see a nicely anime styled cafe, and mostly single guys trying not to oggle the girls dressed as maids.
I must say it felt nuts. As a tourist, trying it out. Fine. But some were japanese, couples and girls going there? Extortionate prices. And they are just girls dressed up. I tried explaining it to someone else and it's the "nanny" type situation. You can apparently pay extra money for them to play kids games with you? Hoewever as they spoke no english, I had no idea about half of anything. Was an experience, but next time I'll use the money on a full meal!
Heading back to the hostel I checked for a message from Karen. Nothing, but then as I was about to write her one to say I was popping out again, she appeared. She had apparently gone on the boat, seen some parks, got a classic end of trip photo (so the LP says) and saw a few good things. I had souvenirs! :) So both happy we headed out for a drink and food. She had one kebab and headed back. I had a tiny beer at expensive price! And decided to eat elsewhere, walking around and settling on a small cafe, for a quick curry (£2 meal) and then on the way back, popping into a restaurant.
My last meal was a large (but cheaper than the last one) beer and a plat of Guyzu (pork dumplings) which were lovely and I am glad they were my last meal in Japan! Even if I was full from the curry! Then bed. An early start to a long way home!
