Lost in Translation

I've paused my Magellan of a being due to my stumbling upon this Internet cafe in Shinjuku, Tokyo...yes, yes, I was here in August when I visited Tokyo, but I couldn't resist the urge to come back. It's a headfirst dive into the modern Japanese phenemenon. Nearly everything that makes Tokyo interesting rubs elbows here: 5th Avenue meets South Street, Times Square neon compliments grey-bricked backstreets, swarming push-and-shove crowds, street-side video screens, stand up noodle bars and 100yen conveyor belt sushi, hostess clubs, tucked away shrines and of course, the love hotel capital of Japan...Shinjuku has it all.

But before I rave about my current situation, which is quite ridiculously laid-backishly awesome, let me relay the events thus far.

Yesterday I flew into Tokyo in the early AM and barely, yet successfully mastered the Tokyo monorail and train system to make it a mere 20 minutes early to my student, Yuma's, speech. He performed marvelously, but in the middle of the speech, he choked up and lost his train of thought, which cost him the win. I must say, though I was slightly saddened by the fact that his speech was so powerful and well-articulated and OMG fo' sho' how could ONE QUICK pause totally screw up such eloquence and poise yadda yadda yadda...all I could think of was how I wouldn't have to sit through 40 more 5 minute speeches the next day. In fact, it was quite exciting. I realized that now I had 2 whole days in one of the world's capitals. Sagoi.

So last night, I stayed with my JTE in a very traditional Japanese inn tucked in the back streets of Ginza. We ate a traditional mainland dinner and I had my first test of whether I had picked up on Japanese eating customs. My JTE, Naomi, and I ate with Yuma's parents, which was quite personal and truly enjoyable experience. I found myself speaking both English and Japanese, which was quite the ear-full. After dinner, Naomi asked me if I would like to take a shower. Naturally, I chose to, and she then asked me if I was sure, and prepared to do such a task. "Of course!" I exclaimed. I mean....who needs to be "prepared" for a bath? Well, my friends. Well, well, well. Five minutes later I found myself in a Japanese bathing situation that I never imagined I would be able to master. Let's just say that I know my JTE and a few other JTEs and ALTs a lot more than previous to the bath. What's interesting is that it felt so natural and it was quite relaxing...the bathing process that is. First, you shower and pre-wash. Then you get into the hot-tubish bath that sits in the middle of the showering area. Then you get out again and actually wash. Then you get into the bath again. And finally, you rinse off with cool water in the end. It was similar to an onsen experience, but more relaxed and daily-grind.

After the bath, I spoke with my JTE for a long time about gossip, likes/dislikes about the schools I work at and even personal life. It was a grand. Then, today, we went shopping together in Odaiba, on the Tokyo Bay. I visited the Fuji Entertainment Center, Aqua City (which was a definite must-do considering there was a J.Crew there!!!!!!!...unfortunately, it was a small store and though they had my size in stock, they didn't have anything that was worth paying the extra 1500yen they tacked on each piece of fabric....it just wasn't worth it) and Venus Fort. We ate lunch at this place called "SOUP STOCK TOKYO" where you could pick from 8 different soups. I got the garlic soup with onsen tamago (hot-spring boiled quail eggs) and it was devilishly delish.

Then, I found Naomi and I parting ways because she needed to go back to her hotel for a meeting. So there I was in the Ginza train station. Alone. With 36 hours left of Tokyo in front of me. And I laughed, because as she walked away, I realized I had no idea what I was doing, where I was staying for the night (my hotel is on a first come, first serve basis and its sort of out of the way to conserve cash) and no idea which way to go on the subway, despite my previous mastering.

So.....I decided to do what I do best. Explore.

In fact, I explored so much that I made my way through the lower half of Tokyo today. These probably mean nothing to you, but, aside from my earlier excursion to Odaiba and Ginza, my map tells me the following: I decided to first go to Shibuya, the bustling, youth-oriented shopping district where it's easy to feel like you've been warped into a land where no one is over 30. Then, well, I got bored. So I grabbed a latte and headed to Harajuku, which is like Tokyo in loafers. Alfresco cafes, bistro alleys and autumn foliage among the hustle and bustle saturated this place, where I randomly met 5 awesome beans from Sweden which waiting in line for 15 minutes to get into H&M (and STILL didnt buy anything). So we all exchanged numbers and perhaps I'll catch up with them later.

And then, I came to Shinjuku, otherwise known as blinding neon central, strolled around, got lost some more, and landed here. And....well....I just got found out that there is another JET in Tokyo right now, so....I'm going to head out of here.

Summary: today has been in the top 7 best days of my being. And, though I can't really convey my experiences through words, I definitely have learned a lot about myself just in this one day. Though I'm lost in translation..ish....and though I have no idea what's to come of my night or where I'm staying, I know I'll swing right through it like a ride in the park. And that right there is why I knew it would be a good idea to stay an extra day. Traveling solo in a labrynth of subways and streets, with foreign tongues and faces (and lattes) being your only travel buddies is quite a time. I suggest you try it.

Update to come.