Finally made it

[tatsujin]

Well I finally made it to Japanese soil!

After a 30 hour cumilative journey from little ol Cork, Ireland (Cork - London - Korea - Tokyo) I arrived in Narita. Worn and weary, I thought at least my trustworthy Japanese friend would be waiting to pick me up. After 30 mins waiting no sign of the bastard... It was approaching 9.30 pm and I was a bit worried about the trains so I decided to bite and make my way to Minamisenju.

Thankfully I had printed out a map from the hotel I was staying in (Juyoh) and headed off on the Keisei line. To say it was strange was an understatement, moving from a country where you are the majority took a bit of getting used to. Everyone seemed to have a peek at the gaijin - it felt kinda cool, but at the same time kinda strange. It was cool being able to practice my kana on the train with all the richly decorated posters, it alleviated the descending tiredness for a while anyway.

After making all my transfers, I finally arrived in Minamisenju station. The map told me it was only 7 minutes to the hotel, I had a feeling it wasn't so easy. I came outisde to the din of construction work and looked up and down the street. It was teeming rain and I made a move for it, not quite knowing where I was going (time 2330). I walked up the street and asked in my broken japanese where the hotel was - no-one seemed to know (Getting worried at this stage). Decided to grab a taxi and risk asking the taxi man - he didn't know either. Anyway to cut a long story short, we travelled around for about 30 mins and evetually found it (not after me seeing on countless occasions - Soko? and he would always replies in an exasperated tone - Iie, manshon desu)

I looked at the taxi fare and reached for my wallet, remembering it was rude to give a tip (thanks fuckedgaijin!). He just smiled at me and shook his head saying Iie, service, service - a nice end to an otherwise taxing night!

So I finished all the formalities and got to my room, (0035) opened the door and saw the 3 tatamis that will be my home for the next week or so.

So, its about 8am now and I'm feeling buoyed and loking forward to the day ahead. Any recommendations on where to see? Dunno bout you but I'm starving, gonna get some breakfast!

[Steve Bildermann]

Everyone seemed to have a peek at the gaijin - it felt kinda cool

So, its about 8am now and I'm feeling buoyed and loking forward to the day ahead

whoohooo fresh meat!

[Charles]

whoohooo fresh meat!

Boy is he going to feel like a dope, once he figures out how close the eki is to the hotel.

[Taro Toporific]

tatsujin
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 20
Location: Cork, Ireland

whoohooo fresh meat!

Woo000t! Now tatsujin-kun needs to change his "Location: Cork, Ireland" and get out bask in our Concrete Slum Splender(tm).

Hell, ys gotta do the HALLOWEEN cosplay freakshow in Harajuku first thing today and then hit the parties.

[goldenboy_ge]

Welcome to Nippon

30 hours of travel. Cork - London - Korea - Tokyo it would be too much for me, I would've used some puke bags acutally .... I ain't travel or air sick but just got a little stress. Since I used to fly with Singapore and Thai Airlines I feel much better, but somehow it also has some side effects. 11 hours flight, 11 hours a stiff dick. I don't have to explain why... or do I have to..

After 30 mins waiting no sign of the bastard... <<< ha ha

Seriously:
Be aware of taxis. The drivers are mostly very nice and kind people but there's a huge communication lack unless your Jap ability is good enough. Or be prepared to take a long ride without knowing where to go. Therefore I highly recommend you to stay out from any cabs during your city travel- it could be damn expensive. I hope you brought up enough money.
I wish you a happy staying, good time in Japan, take care and enjoy.


P.S You should also try to avoid those...what's the name of that poisen fish...? Anyway guys, don't worry about me. The upper part was just fun writing about air sick and so on..... but Singapore and Thai Airlines...it's truely heaven

[Oradea]

Fugu?

[goldenboy_ge]

Yep! At the first sight I thought someone's angry at me and yell's out "fug u". I know I need glasses.

Fugu is right I think, thanks Oradea.

[devicenull]

run, run while you still can.

[tatsujin]

Thanks for all your insights guys, especially you Charles, insightful as ever

Ended up going to Akihabara yesterday with a mate and picking up a nice camera - Christ its a crazy place!

Then we went to Shinjuku and a nice little Iyazaka called Wara wara, it was really strange eating a meal with your drink. I'm from Ireland, we operate a strict policy of "you eat you cheat"

Couldn't find any decent clubs in the area, tempted to go to Shibuya but my brain couldn't take anymore sensory input.

I really expected to see more foreign people out and about. Anytime I see someone there's always a knowing nod exchanged - makes me laugh when I think about it...

Catch you all soon

[Charles]

[tatsujin]