My Own Biggest Fan

17 and a half hours on a plane, an hour and half on the train, and I am finally in Tokyo. First impressions: it is crazy humid, everyone is polite, and way way cuter and better dressed than I could ever hope to be.

When I got to my house after going to the rental agency and signing approximately twenty forms I find that “suplise!” the wrong key was in the room file and I have no where to sleep. Luckily a Korean roommate has an extra blanket and pillow, so I can sleep on the dining room floor. Which is where I am sitting right now.

After that initial disappointment and recovery, Adam took me to Shibuya to show me the offices of my school, which I will have to find by myself today. After that, we had a late sushi supper. Every variety, �100 ($1) and you get TWO! Just take them off the conveyor belt that goes around the prep area and chow down. Want something not on the conveyor? Just ask. In Japanese of course. Don’t know what something is? Just ask. And get a smart -ass answer. “Sushi”, the chef replies. Actually he was really nice, just crazy, and he did later tell us what it was, but I don’t remember now. Every time someone walks in the door, they make a big ruckus. Two young and beautiful girls walk in, and the ruckus the chefs make lasts for five minutes. A tall, model looking woman comes in with her boyfriend, they fall deathly silent, stealing glances (ogles really) when they can. If Hana Sushi was this fun, they wouldn’t need those TVs. Our bill after Adam and I each eating enough sushi to fell a rhino, along with two beers and green teas: $29. Oh, and Adam has been coming to this place since he first came to Tokyo seven years ago and he still doesn’t know the name of this place. The sign on the outside says “sushi” in Kanji.

After that we walk around Shibuya a bit, it is 10:30 and there are thousands of people on the streets. Only five or so of them were drunk that I could tell. We met up with Adam’s beautiful, beautiful actress girlfriend, Michiko, who has won a suit at a party and gives it to him. We wander the streets, get shown where the record stores are, look at the pretty flashing lights. The trains stop running at midnight so it is time to take one home. By myself. For the first time. I did good, no wrong turns, and I was home in 20 min.

Ok, now it’s time to start day two. The agenda: wait until bags are delivered today, go pick up correct keys, go to work for a short training session. Maybe a walk around the neighbourhood, or a crazy train adventure, who knows.