Organisation vs Procrastination

One of these things is not like the other, (remember that song from sesamie street? If you dont I am sorely dissapointed in your distinct lack of SOUL) one of these things I am really bad at. Unfortunately this thing seems to be the thing that makes traveling the farthest reaches of this speck of dust hurtling through the void that we call the world much easier.

You see, the time has come, my little friend, to see some other things. Trains, temples and shinto shrines, and the castles of ancient kings. And since the weather is freezing cold, (my body built for other things), Caloo Callay, South! I say! To see the castles of ancient Kings. The eternal neon glow of tokyo has turned cold, its rush uncaring and irritating. So onward I tread to greener (and hopefully warmer) pastures. Kyoto is where my path has turned, like the nose of a wandering hound, who is slightly senile and has no sense of smell.
I hope to leave within the week after much drunken karaoke (which makes my singing marvelous rather then horrendous) and seeing the famed Imperial Gardens in the physical and metaphorical heart of Tokyo.

If suitable (affordable) accomodation does not rear its slightly stinky head in the next few days I will have to resort to sleeping in all night internet cafes where you can shower, play video games, surf the net and watch movies till dawn for the princely sum of 1000 円、about 15 dollars. Should be fun.

Then after my jaunt in the south I am heading to one of the northern-most capitals on earth; Helsinki. Where once again I will be cold. Have I mentioned I am not partial to such climes? I am just not a cold person, nor am I equpped for gallavanting about in -10 degree conditions and I challenge anyone to fit such inane items into a single backpack along with necessary items like literature and camera gear.
But the blog must go on so I must travel to this city and its less then ideal weather, for you, my reader.

If I dont return, (falling into an ice lake, bear attacks, moose attacks and hypothermia are all apparently quite lethal) burn my things and set my sewer-people servants free, the key is under the mat.

Fuju Yama San!

For everyone who will travel to Japan, or speak to the Japanese, it is Fuju San. Fuji yama is a mistranslation of the kanji 山. Which is literally mountain, but can apparently be pronounced as San, or Yama. Anyhoo on my recent trek of 4 days through forest and undergrowth, living off rare birds and racoons caught with snares I reached the massive mighty mountain that is Fuji san. It is certainly worthy of its reputation of eye watering beauty. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to gaze upon its majestic form often as I was at Fuju-Q, the amusement park near the foot of its namesake.

I have decided I dislike amusement parks, for after the amazingly expensive daypass has been purchased and is held tightly in my hot, gigantuan hand,
(it was astoundingly cold at the time but I was actually referring to a saying my father had, of something [usually of importance to me and only me] being held in my hot, sweaty little hand.)
you line up for 2 hours to have the ride be declared broken. Every ride or amusement is preceeded by a line of people waiting for hours for their 3 minutes of very expensive screaming time. Such playgrounds of staccato enjoyment perpetuated by legato monotony seem to me to be an utter waste of a day and a small fortune in dimes and nickels. I rename them Parks of Infrequent Terror. I dont much care for terror.

I much prefer walks in parks, photographs of strangers doing strange things in stranger places, and eating my fill of watever precious pastries I can find on a backpackers wage. Speaking of which there are many fantastical stangers in the city. I see people dressed in the strangest ways, (photos I will find out how to add at a later date) I saw a man walking in circles arms spread, so I watched him for maybe 10 minutes before giving up. He seemed at peace doing what ever it was that he was doing so I did not inquire as to what that actually was and left him to his quirky task.

I almost wish i did ask...

Its certainly easier to have an awkward conversation then to regret a conversation you never have, unless of course you are trying to talk to someone who does not understand english, then it is much harder to have an awkward conversation..

the large expanse of land that compromises the place that I am in

That being the land of Japan and the place I am in, being not very specifically, near Tachikawa station, in the sprawling, seething mass of concrete, people-meat and occasional shrines in charming parks that is: Tokyo.

I must say that `tis rather cold here. Luckily I thought ahead and packed warm clothes, useful/awesome accessories such as scarves and gloves in addition to extra socks.
Oh wait! No I didnt!!
The japanese seem to have a natural resistance to cold, I have seen countless girls in short skirts and high boots walking round in icy rain with temperatures hovering around 0 degrees, where it has been for the last few days... maybe they have a secret ninja technique only taught to girls with great legs...

Despite my amazing lack of foresight, any semblance of organisation or planning and my innate ability to make even simple tasks as difficult as inhumanly possible I am having a pretty good time. I am staying with a student who goes by the name Keiichiro. He can cook amazingly well, is training to be a nurse at the hospital and likes to travel to south east asia to teach english in small villages. I am sorry ladies, he is taken by a parisian girl who is coming to visit soon. He is also teaching me to juggle, which is inhumanly difficult.

Tokyo is a very interesting berg, as you would expect from the capital of the notoriously hip, with-it and super stylin Japanese. If I got a job I could live here as there is just so much to see and do. Unfortunately it is also very expensive and simply going to the city and back is about $15.
To make up for this obvious oversight the Japanese made themselves very helpful and taught themselves english. While a Ohayo gozaimasu/sumimasen is the best way to start, english is all thats needed if you stick the beaten path, simply because 1000 tourists more obnoxious and demanding then you have asked the same person the same question before.

Coming here as a 6"5` beanpole was going to be interesting at best, but I can say now I dont fit into this country in any sense, I duck through the train doors and hit my head on railings, swinging ads, and many other items that seem to be put there just for my head-bone to collide with. Luckliy I know a few japanese swear words. I am an alien here and even if I become fluent in Japanese I will remain a foreigner. Japanese culture tolerates foreigners and even welcomes them but they will always remain That Guy/Girl From ...

I dont think I am a city person. There are many cool photo opportunities and many interesting people but it is hard to get around and I am always getting lost, which isnt that bad as there is always someone to ask for directions.

Dameda! (an interesting word/phrase that can be used in many situations like dammit, crap, bloody hell, shit, but seems to have a slightly different meaning which I have yet to fathom) It is 2am and I must go to Harajuku tomorrow to see crazy teens dress up and parade around for apparently no reason. It is a strange world we live in.

Pre-Take-Off Chill-Out-Sessions

The weekend preceding the event that is my departure to new horizons has been equal parts eventful and awesome. Drinks flow like swiftly flowing rivers, and laughter rings like loud... telephones. Very happy at the turnout of the delicious dinner/drinks. A character with charm and intelligence was able to attend and I had a ruddy good time being unseasonably social and talkative.

There were awkward moments brought on by the mad labyrinth that is the female mind, hearing whispers and nurturing brooding thoughts of betrayals that never occurred, all the while running from a ravenous mythical beast of their own creation.

Apparently this insane beast has now been calmed. Whether any harm was done or the beast will rear its wild-eyed head again remains to be seen.

All excitement over leaving has now gone. I am over the same few questions people ask and reaaly need to book accomodation. Sooner I get the leaving part over the better.

2am is not the time to write anything remotely coherent or sensemakabilityness