One Sandal

Last night Naveen and I had a great time out in Tokyo. We had dinner at some random restaurant on some random street in Shinkjuku. Mostly roasted meat in skewers, sort of like Japanese tapas. They eat soup at the end of the meal, interesting. No one spoke any English and the menu was entirely in Japanese, so I would have been clueless without my guide. Threw in some saki and a couple of beers, and it turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience. We then shot over to a couple of bars in Ropponngi, which Naveen lives near. We ended up having a great time chatting (and later dancing) with Ayami and Nelle (pictured) until close to 5, at which point I was about to fall over from being tired. (Nelle spoke almost no English, and said that she aspires to be a housewife and mom. You just don't hear that much in the U.S., especially in D.C.) And there were some Japanese dudes (also pictured), too, but all we really did was clink glasses when a good song came on. I've never been in an industrialized nation where so few of the educated elite speak English.

Jeremy, they mostly drink beer, but also saki (especially with a meal) and some cocktails.

Today we went to Akakasu to visit a Buddhist temple and a Shinto shrine, and then spent the afternoon in Ueno Park. It's something like Central Park in Manhattan, but actually compares a little better to Balboa Park in San Diego in that many of the major museums of Tokyo are in the park. I didn't have time to go in any, but they have a really nice sampling of Rodin sculptures outside the Western Art Museum, which was a rather delightfully random find. We spent the rest of the day at a crazy hectic food street market (who knew people bought octopus by the tentacle?) and are now back at Naveen's getting ready to go out for sushi.

Why don't the Japanese ever tuck their hair behind their ears? Why do all the youngins dress like skate punks? Why are they so darn short? Why do the toilets have so many buttons? How do people live in this godawful expensive city?

High in Tokyo today, about 42 F. High in Singapore, about 92. This should be interesting.

Toyko is a marvel. The hecticness of New York. The neighborhoods ofParis. The pulse of London. And above all, more lights than Las Vegas. Naveen (my host/friend here in Japan) showed me a fantastic time this evening. Tonight we bar hopped in Tokyo, and it's quarter 5 local time, and I've been up for about 40 hours (less a couple of cat naps on the plane) so I won't say much more. Pictures tomorrow.

Quote of the day on the bus ride into Tokyo from the airport:

"Passengers are reminded that portable telephones are not to be used on the bus as they annoy annoy the neighbors." Guesty, you would love this place.

OK, this time I mean it. I'm about to leave for the Houston airport, and the weather is lovely today. I'm pretty excited, but dreading the long flight to Tokyo. But I get in on Saturday night, so I should get a good taste of what Tokyo nightlife is all about. Next time I post, it should be a real adventure...

Well, it turns out Mother Nature is already failing to cooperate for my springtime adventure. Due to snow in DC, my flight was slightly delayed in departing, and a major strom that swept through Houston forced the plane to take an indirect route - and delay my arrival by another 45 minutes.

So, the bad news: I'm sitting at a Clarion Hotel near George H.W. Bush Intercontinental Airport because I'm not leaving for Tokyo until tomorrow. The good news is that for some odd reason Continental's policy about no-free-rooms when whether is to blame doesn't apply to International flights. And I guess I can say I've been to Texas now.

Plus, I didn't sleep a wink last night because I had so much that needed tending before I left, a few hours in a hotel bed might be nice. However everyone I've asked so far says the nicest thing to do in this part of Houston is go to the mall. Wow. Houston, here I come.

And at least now I can buy travel insurance and reserve a room in Singapore, the things I didn't get to do before I left.

I'll probably have more later.

I've been talked into upscaling it, so we'll be meeting at Ozio @ 6. Bring friends and advice.

1813 M St. NW

I just got my arms shot up with various plagues. My arms hurt and my body is infested with vermin.

I just got Franz Ferdinand's record on Saturday. Very good, I haven't stopped spinning it all weekend as I've packed and cleaned. Not for the homophobic-at-heart, altough it's certainly catchy enough to ignore the occasionally "icky" lyrics.

I got my pre-trip check-up (very late) today and it looks like I'm in good health to go. The doctor says I drink too much and she's a little concerned about my blood pressure, but nothing so serious as to keep me grounded. She insisted on having me take a prescription of Cipro with me, but I think the abundance of caution is a little much. Anyway, I also found a doctor to give me my shots (also WAY too late) on Tuesday, which avoids much of the expense of a travel clinic (when someone can explain to me modern private health insurance - why will they pay for the shots from an M.D., but not if it from a clinic...one more reason for a national health plan, I guess).

I also got my "official" approval from work this week. I want to give a shout out to Dianna M. and Heather M. (no relation) for being so accommodating about this trip - great people to work for!

Also, I got some great advice from my friend Diane B. today - her parents are from Vietnam and she transalted her mom's "can't-miss" suggestions for me. You rock, Diane.

Anyway, I'm spending the whole weekend packing, getting last minute items, and cleaning up my place, but the days are fast ticking away. You cannot imagine how excited I am!

This past weekend I've had a few people question why I travel, and more specifically, why I'm taking this trip. I've been trying to explain it, but I somehow feel like I'm doing an inadequate job describing why I travel. (Probably because I hear things like, "Dude, I just don't get it" after I'm done explaining it.) Of course, there is something inherently lazy in asking bloggers to answer my own personal questions, and I know there are plenty of famous quotations on the subject, but I'd still like to throw out the question for my friends in cyberspace: for those who like to travel, why? And to keep the discussion spirited, for those who don't enjoy traveling, what is it about it that you find offensive, unappealing, etc.?

On a somewhat related note - finances aside - any opinions on whether there is really ever an age where it is socially unacceptable to still hit the road?

If a comment has already been left, just click on the "#" or the link that says "x comments". From there, the bottom of the page will have a link that says "Post a Comment". Blog well, and blog often.

OK, I'm new at this and just getting warmed up, but you folks should have access to all of my updates from the road, once I get out there.