Jan 27 2009
Today I didn’t even have to use my A.K., I gotta say it was a good day
So let’s start with the bad news… I’m pretty sure that between carrying my bag with my camera and all my other junk in it this past week and the horrible noise that I just heard - my shoulder is not happy with me. I know I’m not supposed to carry weight on my left shoulder because of my car accident last summer, but it’s impossible to not use it at all. I’m hoping that it will feel better soon. In the mean time the hotel has these awesome patches that are like icy-hot patches BUT they have tylenol in them too so I’ve got one of those on right now and from here on out if it doesn’t fit in my pockets - i guess i’m not taking it with me…
But now the good news - I had a fantastic day. I’m currently taking a break from my legal studies to write this.
I have totally mastered the Japanese train system. Not that it’s that difficult - the main obstacle is the language issue. Thus far all of our trains have left from the same station where they don’t have an english map available BUT they’ve had an english speaking attendant. Today I went hoping that my train left from that station - not so much. The attendant told me “Our company does not go there.” But I could see my line on the big board… So i hiked across the street found the information center and found a semi-english map and figured it out. Now I’ve got it down.
So i took the train down to the Ginza district. I had NO IDEA where Tiffany & Co was located in relation to the station so I figured, I’d just start walking and see what happened. Apparently I don’t have a TOTAL lack of direction, I found the store pretty quickly. The architecture in Japan is amazing, and this district has some of the best I’ve seen! Crazy windows, wavy buildings, all kinds of neat stuff.
I went to Tiffany & Co and spent some time looking around the store with Yusuke Yoshida. He spoke english fairly well, but I’m still a little unclear if the things he showed me were exclusive to that store or to flagship stores. Either way, I saw some sparkly diamonds and beautiful jewelry I could only dream of owning. Yusuke hooked me up with some exclusive bags and catalogs to bring back to Frankie so he can have a piece of the Ginza Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. wins for the best technology so far. For all of my escalator fearing friends - the escalators in the building go SUPER SLOW - until you step on, then they speed up - BUT when it senses your weight approaching the top, it slows down again. It was great! Then I went to the bathroom - best toilets yet! Not only did they have the seat heaters, built-in fans, deodorizers, etc - THE LIDS ARE MOTION SENSORED! When you walk in the lid goes up, when you walk out the lid goes down. AMAZING!
I’ve spent the rest of the day resting and doing homework. All of the smoke and smog is getting to me. I’m doing my best to not get sick by taking my vitamins and drinking water daily, but I think that my body needed this day.
Also - I’m really sick of MSG. Don’t get me wrong, I am LOVING the food here - but I am so sick of MSG. Most people can’t tell if it’s in there, I unfortunately can due to my rediculous sense of smell and taste. So the MSG is getting irritating because I don’t want to taste it, I want to taste my veggies. Also, I could totally go for a chicken salad sandwich or taco bell right about now…
PS. Anyone who knows the random lyrical references I use for my blog titles every now and then wins 10 points.
PPS. There are a few pictures I’ve taken that probably look like nothing - a map, a truck, whatever - but anyone who can guess what it is in the picture that caught my eye gets 20 points.
