I hate this leaving crap!
It’s always the case when you have a limited amount of time somewhere. You try to visit different places while hitting all the familiar spots. Well, I definitely visited someplace different this trip. I visited the Yasukuni Shrine. I ran into a protest. I saw more cops in one place than in all my previous visits.
This is the shrine: 
This is a protester: 
And these are a bunch of Tokyo Metros who are covering the event. A bit camera shy, very unusual for Japan: 
Yeah, that’s me, always trying to stay outta trouble. Heh.
Speaking of trouble, I stopped by Akihabara on my way to NRT. They close the main drag on Sunday so it’s all cosplayers, musicians and otaku. 
And naturally, a lot of the people who hang out here on Sunday look like this: 
Like I said, trouble! Next stop, HKG…
Sanja Matsuri!
I often have to remind myself: This is a different trip then the last one, so go see different things!
Today (since it was happening in the neighbourhood near my hotel) I went to check out the Sanja Matsuri, the largest matsuri in Tokyo. Over 2 million people come to Asakusa to attend the matsuri centered around Senso-Ji Temple. It looked really fun and I would have liked to have particpiated. But after watching everyone sweat and heave in 28+ degree heat and humidity, it was better just to watch. And have a beer.
Portable shrines called mikoshi each contain a kami and these kami are paraded around Asakusa, stopping at businesses to spread luck and good fortune. They can be large or really large.
There are little mikoshi for little people.
The mikoshi get carried to the Senso-ji Shrine in Asakusa. The kami inside expect a fun ride, so everyone on carrying duty rock and roll in rhythm, lest the kami inside gets bored. Entertained kami = more blessings and good luck. So the trip to the shrine has to be fun!
Once they get to the shrine, they pay homage and then they go around the back and park and the crew eats obento and drinks beer. It’s hard work!
Now the crews who shoulder the mikoshi are co-ed, but its amazing how the girls look great while the guys all look like me after a day in Singapore (sweaty and sweaty).
This was my first Matsuri, hopefully the first of many. Stayed in Asakusa for most of the afternoon, just taking in the scene. It was a great time. More pix to come later.
Killing Time in Tokyo
This is my first full day in Tokyo and following tradition, I met Yumi-chan for lunch. Meeting Takeshi for dinner. Did some shopping and puttered around Takadanobaba. One of the more fun words to say here in Tokyo. Say it Arnold-like: TAKA-DANO-BABA! Heh heh heh.
Culture and shitamachi comes tomorrow. This is my first visit to Tokyo during warm weather season. Is ALL of Asia humid? Sheesh.
Haven’t been too inspired to take pictures yet. But again, gimme a break! I got in late yesterday and didn’t even go out! My outbound flight was delayed due to rain at SFO. That sucked big time. By the time we landed at NRT, it was after 1630. Perfect for a leisurely ride on the Keisei tokkyu (take this instead of the Skyliner-give 18 minutes and save ¥990).
By the time I got to the Juyoh, I was plain knackered. And after I paid for my hotel stay, I realized that I had already burned through ¥10,000! How, you ask? Here’s how it pans out:
Train ticket:¥1000
Hotel Stay: ¥8970
After showering and soaking in the hotel’s sento, I went out to Ginza for a cash run (nearest Citibank). And in a moment of weakness (because I was frackin’ hungry!) I got some McD’s for sustinance. It dun have the stigma it does in the US so I felt fine about it.
Got back and crashed face first onto the futon on tatami. Sleep! Mmmmm.
It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do for you and the amount of apostrophes I use when I write. I’m typing this on a Japanese keyboard and many of the usual symbols are elsewhere. I mean, really!
Guess it pays to be nice!
Actually, it’s pretty easy when you’re treated nicely. Then, you’re obligated to return the niceness.
I checked in for my flight. Was pleasant and smiled (and flirted just a little). They didn’t have me in an aisle seat. I asked (with a big grin) if I could be put on the list for an aisle seat. She said, “check at the gate”.
Recovering
So after 4 nights with 8+ hours of sleep and sampling every over-the-counter remedy (TheraFlu night formula works best, BTW), I can say that I’m recovering.
I still say that they should ban sick people from planes. Of course, if I could have fit a SIN trip to the end of this trip, I never would have sat next to the sick guy on my flight because I would be on a different flight than the one I was on…
wouldacouldashoulda.
Sick people on Planes
BAN THEM BAN THEM BAN THEM!!!
They shouldn’t be flying if they’re freekin’ sick! And they should NOT be seated to ME!
I traveled in Asia for three weeks. I suffered (and sweat) in the heat of Hong Kong, sweated and chilled in Japan for over a week, froze in Beijing, stumbled into Shenzhen and sweat in the then not so hot as before Hong Kong before I left for California.
I got seated by some sick (COFF COFF COFFFFF!) Brit who lives in Mexico. He was coughing and sneezing throughout the entire flight.
I had a mask in my baggage from the SARS time. Should have put it on.
Come to think of it, he should’ve had a mask on for the consideration of the others on the plane.
But nooooo, in-consideration is the name of the game here!
I’m sick now. Great. Hope the Theraflu nips this in the bud.
Freekin’ sick people! Kick them off the damn plane!
Back in SFO
Bleagh. Back in the US. Not an anti-US screed, but more of an annoyance. Follow:
When you travel, there’s usually two lines: one for foreigners and one for citizens of whatever country you’re visiting.
Usually, the foreign passport line (especially in China) moves really slow while the citizens line moves fast. Makes sense.
But when I finally landed at LAX and walked from El Segundo (it really seemed that far) back to customs/passport control, guess which line was longest?
US Citizens, that�s what!
Although, the line moved kinda quick considering how long it was. Customs was a snap, much faster than it is in SFO.
After a few hours, I caught my UA connection back to San Fran. The service was horrid (in all ways) and people weren�t too happy on the plane.
So in other words, it was United Airlines! =)
Landed and went straight to In & Out for my �welcome back to Cali� dinner.
Yeah, I�m back. And despite eating a lot, I lost 7 pounds! Yeah!
Transiting through ICN? It’s a crapshoot
OK….so the ROK airlines (Korean Air, Asiana, etc) are trying to turn Seoul Inchon (ICN) into a regional hub.
Cool, but…
my flight arrived at 1715 from HKG. I have to cool my heels here until 2000 when I have to get on yet another steel tube (AKA 747-400 PAX) for the 10 hour flight to LAX.
Upon arrival, transit passengers have to go through a security screening (why, since we did this already in HKG?). Fair enough.
However, they only had two metal detectors active and the sensitivity was set so high that EVERYONE who went through set it off and got wanded.
You’d figure that a “world class” airport would be able to figure out when the majority of connecting flights are coming in and staff accordingly.
But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Wasted 30 minutes in queue and finally got to the lounge. Two saving graces from me being absolutely pissed about it all.
Numbah 1: There’s free wireless internet in the lounge here, unlike in HKG where anything that has to do with commmunications MUST be controlled by Pacific Century Cyber Works (what a dorky name) so they can make a buck offa you..
Numbah 2: The lounge here has Shin Cup AND Pocari Sweat. And a shower.
Which may leave me about 30 minutes to do some actual work.
Now why did I call this a crapshoot? Because when I was heading to HKG through ICN 3 weeks back, it took all of five minutes to do this.
And oh yah, I like Asiana Airlines A LOT but be careful about the flights you choose. If they are using a 747-400PAX avoid that flight. These are combination cargo carriers/passenger jets and it has none of the in flight amenities that Asiana is known for.
It almost feels like a better maintained UA jet.
On the Way Back
I got to sleep in today! Yeah! Until 0800!
Beats getting up at 0600 like I did yesterday AM…
Finally got to HKG after picking up 6 pairs of pants for a fren back home.
Yes, pants. It takes a bit of explaining.
Since I’m on Asiana going home, I got comped in the Dragonair lounge. It’s cool! You overlook the gates, you can see airplanes and there’s a noodle stand inside!
Bad part: They charge for wireless internet so you’re forced to use these community computers…
The Airport Express is a wonderful thing. Not only do they get you to HKG fast, they have in town check in where you can check in and check your bags. Then all you have to do is putter once you clear passport control.
Or chill in the lounge…
Back in HKG
Cleared customs and passport control.
Off the KCR and the long hike from East TST to MTR TST.
Recharged my Octopus card.
Switched the SIM.
I’m back!
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