Japan, Part II

Yesterday I arrived in Yokohama, Japan, and we got off the ship about 8am. From there we took many trains to the exciting city of Tokyo. We spent most of the day walking around the various parts of the city and took trains to some of the areas that were further away such as the technology district, or what I believe they call, the electricity city (or something like that). We went to a Thai place for lunch and I got pad thai which was delicious, though I avoided the side dishes of a strange spicy soup and coconut dessert soup. In the afternoon we went to Tokyo Tower (the largest freestanding tall tower in the world) which looks very similar to the Eiffel Tower …except it is orange. There were Christmas lights and a big tree – it was so beautiful. I love lights, I get really excited :) The view from the top was incredible. We went up there right before the sun was setting so we got to see Tokyo from daylight to dark. I’ve found that ferris wheels are really big here, as I have seen huge ones in Kobe, Yokohama, and Tokyo. After the tower, we went to none other than …… Tokyo DISNEYLAND!!!! We got the night pass to go after 6, however we didn’t arrive until closer to 7 and the park closed at 10. I tried to keep spirits high and ended up having the best time. We really had SO much fun. It was Rebecca, Savannah, myself, Tristan, Iman, Katherine, and Tess. Then as we were walking in, Katherine recognized this girl Lauren from class, who as it turns out was supposed to meet her friends and they didn’t come. She had been waiting outside awhile so I was happy she came in with us. We made it onto 5 rides…and the best ones, if I do say so myself. We may not have made it to Fuji, but we saw the 3 mountains… :) Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Splash Mountain, and also It’s A Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean. The funny thing is, when I was younger I was terrified of Space and Splash Mountain…my parents can attest to this. I had to leave the line for Space, and my mom tricked me into going on Splash. Let’s be honest, I was still a little scared, but I had to be a trooper. We got our picture taken going down Splash Mountain and we were supposed to make the Home Alone face with our mouths open, hands on our faces. I tried so hard but I was really scared and had to hold on half way through. So 6 of the girls are making the face, and my mouth is just open, looking genuinely terrified. It really is quite funny – it’s hanging on a few of their walls. I will scan it one of these days so you can all get a good laugh. The whole place was decorated for Christmas, I am always so surprised by how much it is celebrated in these countries. There was Christmas music playing too. We saw the parade and also a fireworks show out the windows waiting in line for Thunder Mountain. It was such a great day and by the time we were leaving to get back on the train, we were absolutely exhausted. My feet were killing me and are even more so after today…. I slept well at least.

Today I woke up a few times after 7, and ended up getting up about 9 or so I guess. I decided to explore the city on my own since I needed to get souvenirs, and also just wanted some time for myself. I love traveling with other people, but with so many people, you are always deciding where to go, what to eat, etc. It was relaxing going around though very hard to find things I was looking for. It kind of drives me crazy that so many places have Little (insert country) or (insert country) Town …ex. Little India in Malaysia, China Town….everywhere, and Japan. I’m searching for Japanese things and every store I go to has magnets that say China and pictures of the Great Wall. It became a little frustrating and sure tired my feet out some more. I went to a local coffee shop this morning hoping to find internet, but Japan isn’t big on offering free wireless and brings you to a homepage, and if I wanted to pay, I can’t…because I don’t know Japanese. …For breakfast I ate a pastry. For lunch I ate a pastry. They are so delicious. It was all I ate today until dinner when, get this, I had cauliflower, rice, a few salad leaves, and a banana. I try, I really do.

I absolutely loved Japan. While I could live in other countries we visited, Japan is the first place that I really feel like I could be completely comfortable. I traveled the streets alone today and do not any Japanese to save my life, and I was just fine. A lot of the younger crowds know some English, and those who don’t usually hand motions or one word suffice. It’s a lot like the U.S. really, except cleaner and safer – and a bit more interesting since it was my first time. I have a lot of places to go back to though, as there is something I missed in many countries that I want to see, or just because I liked them so much and want to go again. It really has been an amazing experience and I cannot believe I am on my way back to American soil again. I will be in Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving, November 27th, so until then, I spend the next 9 days at sea…resting, recovering, and maybe (…unfortunately, definitely) doing a bit of work…

Thanks for comments you have left the long way – each one has been read and much appreciated. Please continue until I come home – I’m excited to see all of you! :)