With a lot of sign language, I managed to buy the correct ticket and navigate Tokyo's extensive train system to Anice's place in Niiza, northwest of Tokyo centre and just over two hours by train from the airport. She had just finished work and was pretty tired but she was a good little hostess and cooked us a curry dinner. I couldn't believe how good it tasted - seriously! The last time i think i tried her cooking was a few years back when she made scrambled eggs for breakfast, or something of the like. I think I was more shocked that i was shocked, happily of course. I'll never forget it though.
Another thing I observed, although i always knew it while we were growing up, is how much neater and organized she is than me. Everything has its place and that's it, no messing about. I tend to be a bit more random in where I put things: socks and underwear in the same drawer, shirts and shorts/pants thrown on the same shelf, unhung and/or not folded at all. When you look at my sister's closet, everything is hung neatly, the fronts of shirts/pants all facing the same direction. It could be partly due to the fact that her flat is a typical Japanese apartment, tiny with not very much room to move about in. In any case, it goes without saying that her culniary and organization skills has not gone unnoticed, even from Big Sister.
We talked and ate and pretty soon we collapsed into deep sleep, only to be awakened this morning by the garbage truck doing its weekly run. It plays this ridiculous carousel tune on repeat at full volume so the whole neighbourhood can hear it and rush their trash outside before the truck leaves. The next morning I was awakened by the vibration from the man's alarm clock in the flat upstairs. You would never believe it, but it was L-O-U-D!
My first day in Japan was like complete immersion in some sort of hyper-stimulated world of busy-ness. And yet i found calm and solace in deserted parks, big crowds, my mp3 player. Walked around Ueno Park, the Imperial Palace Gardens, Shinjuku area. The next day I hit Shibuya and got lost for quite a long while. I can spend hours lost in people watching and Tokyo certainly provides one with a bigger range than you'd ever image for people watching.
Riding on the trains during rush hour i felt some sort of normalcy in joining the masses. I never thought that something so trivial could really satisfy me in the way it did; i was part of something, a movement, a flow, but not knowing a soul and vice versa. As strange as it was, it left me feeling content and still, I have to say it was when i was happiest all day.
The concert was fantastic (see previous blog entry). I met up with new friend, Natalie, who also made the trip from HK to see Ben, but she justified it by including a visit to the partner office of where she works into the weekend. We met another random girl, Renee, who was also attending the concert on her own. So the 3 of us hung out all night, front row, dancing and screaming (i lost my voice somewhere between Exodus and Walk Away). I forgot how much I love attending live concerts, such energy and beauty.
The following morning, Natalie, Anice and I met up with Naoko, a friend of Matt's in highschool. She took us to this famous okonomiyaki restaurant in the Harajuku area. We were seated in a cramped room with low ceilings and dim lighting. Infront of us was a hot grill where men in black show off their culinary skills. A show and a feast!
Back to HK later that evening, a quick 4 hour flight. All in all, the weekend's left me feeling more intrigued about how Japan is such a distinct culture within the Asian countries. Will be back soon enough. Thank you Anice for letting me crash on your floor and wear your clothes. Just like old times!
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