Japan Day 3: I found a new friend.
I started the day early. I was already up by 2 AM packing my stuff. I was moving to Nakano. I moved closer to "where the action is" because at the time, I didn't entertain the thought of being unable to get tickets to the ONE OK ROCK gig in Ebisu. Tiwala lang to the highest level. I must've been spoiled by last year's tour in Asia that I forgot this was home turf and the Japanese would gobble up tickets faster than the fastest internet connection back home. Needless to say, I missed out on tickets and it was too late to make any more accommodation changes.
Checked out by 7:00 AM and made my way to Iriya station again. Hopped onto the Hibiya Line to Kayabacho, then on the Tozai Line to Nakano. I didn't find coin lockers so I had to carry all of my stuff on the Chuo Line to the Takao Stn. From there I went on the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi.
I decided to forgo the long walk (because walking alone without someone to talk to is not fun) and use the cable car to partially climb Mt. Takao. If you watched one of the special episodes of Arashi ni Shiyagare, all five of Arashi used the cable car, too. This place was also featured in one of the ONE OK ROCK DVDs, so it was a nature trip and a fangirl trip at the same time.
The climb is easy! It was more stair-climbing, actually. I got to the summit in an hour. Once at the top, one will be greeted by, yes, more vending machines near the toilet to the right. Then at the landing to the left, a view of the metropolis would leave you speechless. I wonder how it looks like at night... ^^
There was an ojiisan who spoke to me in Japanese, pointing me towards Enoshima. He even moved my head to the right direction, but because I didn't understand, I was so confused and I guess he gave up on me. Thanks anyway, ojiisan, I hope someday I could speak or at least understand your words..
I stayed for a few minutes on a bench (away from everyone because that's how I usually like things to be) when I realized that I WAS MISSING MY WALLET. Yes, the wallet that had my PASMO Card, my return ticket for the cable car, my Medicard, and most importantly, my entire budget for one week! I retraced my steps and felt like crying when I realized I wouldn't find it anymore because I didn't know how to ask. I was resigned to the obvious conclusion that, aside from buying another cable car ticket (I fortunately had some more cash that's not in my wallet) I would have to survive in half the money I brought. I got as far as the drinking water area when I spotted a young man who looked like he was working for the park. In a last ditch effort I approached him to ask about how I can find a lost item. It turned out that he didn't speak English. I was totally helpless.
Or so I thought.
Because what happened next was me experiencing the signature kindness and honesty that the Japanese are famous for, first hand.
The young man asked a couple of students on their way to the top if they could understand English. They also didn't, but still offered to help. With some gesture work they finally understood what I was asking about. The young man then told me to wait and then he ran back up to the summit. After a few minutes he went back to where I was, and then made the "O" gesture telling me he freaking found my wallet! He led me to another guy who found it, and after telling him my name (it was printed on my PASMO Card) I got my wallet back. Intact. I was so happy and relieved. I chatted a bit with the young man who helped me out. I learned his name's Shinnpei, his nickname is Pegy, and he's also learning how to speak English.I asked if i could hug him (because that was the best way I could think of to convey my appreciation for what he did for me) and he hugged me back. We said our goodbyes and I thanked him for the nth time. I started walking back when I heard he called me again and then he asked for my email. We tried to add each other on LINE but because I didn't have internet connection, it didn't work. I actually found a friend here! I'm extremely grateful Pegy helped me out!
I went back to the Takao station, grabbed my bag, then made my way to the YADOYA Guesthouse in Nakano. I got checked in in no time, thanks to the help of Alice. I rested for a bit before going out again. I made my way to Ebisu for the obligatory (charot) Hana Yori Dango-slash-Matsumoto Jun fan pilgrimage to the Ebisu Garden Place! When I got there, however hard I studied the area maps posted in the vicinity, I couldn't find it! I went around at least three times, to no avail. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, napakamalas ko naman sa lakwatsang 'to. When I was on my way out, I spotted what I was looking for. Apparently, the Summer Terrace thing (it looked like they brought some drinking and dining spaces outside) was blocking the monument. I could've seen it in 3 minutes if only it wasn't hidden by the tents. Tingnan mo nga naman o, another case ng just when you're about ready to give up, biglang may nangyayaring maganda. Kaya naman, push lang ng push!
From Ebisu Garden Place I walked to what I think was the way to the Liquidroom. In short, naligaw na naman ako. Laging ganun, pansin ko lang: tipong ramdam ko na na naliligaw na ako pero tuloy lang, and kung kelan gusto ko na bumalik para itama ang lahat, maraming oras at pagod na ang nasayang ko. Anyway, went there to torture myself try to see if I could score tickets and go in. There were people outside the venue, alright, but I couldn't understand anything. Boy, Liquidroom was really small (relative to the other venues OOR already performed in) so there's no wonder the tickets have been sold out fast and people were selling them for up to ￥25000 a piece (original price was ￥4000) over at the auction sites. I just passed by the venue twice, then went back to the hostel thinking that even if I was unable to watch, it's not that bad considering I've been to their lives before. I shouldn't be so greedy and I should be content with all the blessings I've had (especially for that day) Besides, have a strong feeling they're gonna reach Philippine shores soon!
(As I'm typing this I've heard/read about the strong good impression the Filipino fandom left with the cast of Rurouni Kenshin. Nakuuuu Pilipinas, nararamdaman ko na, our time is coming. Push lang ng push, fandom! I'm so happy and proud of us!)
Checked out by 7:00 AM and made my way to Iriya station again. Hopped onto the Hibiya Line to Kayabacho, then on the Tozai Line to Nakano. I didn't find coin lockers so I had to carry all of my stuff on the Chuo Line to the Takao Stn. From there I went on the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi.
I decided to forgo the long walk (because walking alone without someone to talk to is not fun) and use the cable car to partially climb Mt. Takao. If you watched one of the special episodes of Arashi ni Shiyagare, all five of Arashi used the cable car, too. This place was also featured in one of the ONE OK ROCK DVDs, so it was a nature trip and a fangirl trip at the same time.
The climb is easy! It was more stair-climbing, actually. I got to the summit in an hour. Once at the top, one will be greeted by, yes, more vending machines near the toilet to the right. Then at the landing to the left, a view of the metropolis would leave you speechless. I wonder how it looks like at night... ^^
There was an ojiisan who spoke to me in Japanese, pointing me towards Enoshima. He even moved my head to the right direction, but because I didn't understand, I was so confused and I guess he gave up on me. Thanks anyway, ojiisan, I hope someday I could speak or at least understand your words..
I stayed for a few minutes on a bench (away from everyone because that's how I usually like things to be) when I realized that I WAS MISSING MY WALLET. Yes, the wallet that had my PASMO Card, my return ticket for the cable car, my Medicard, and most importantly, my entire budget for one week! I retraced my steps and felt like crying when I realized I wouldn't find it anymore because I didn't know how to ask. I was resigned to the obvious conclusion that, aside from buying another cable car ticket (I fortunately had some more cash that's not in my wallet) I would have to survive in half the money I brought. I got as far as the drinking water area when I spotted a young man who looked like he was working for the park. In a last ditch effort I approached him to ask about how I can find a lost item. It turned out that he didn't speak English. I was totally helpless.
Or so I thought.
Because what happened next was me experiencing the signature kindness and honesty that the Japanese are famous for, first hand.
The young man asked a couple of students on their way to the top if they could understand English. They also didn't, but still offered to help. With some gesture work they finally understood what I was asking about. The young man then told me to wait and then he ran back up to the summit. After a few minutes he went back to where I was, and then made the "O" gesture telling me he freaking found my wallet! He led me to another guy who found it, and after telling him my name (it was printed on my PASMO Card) I got my wallet back. Intact. I was so happy and relieved. I chatted a bit with the young man who helped me out. I learned his name's Shinnpei, his nickname is Pegy, and he's also learning how to speak English.I asked if i could hug him (because that was the best way I could think of to convey my appreciation for what he did for me) and he hugged me back. We said our goodbyes and I thanked him for the nth time. I started walking back when I heard he called me again and then he asked for my email. We tried to add each other on LINE but because I didn't have internet connection, it didn't work. I actually found a friend here! I'm extremely grateful Pegy helped me out!
I went back to the Takao station, grabbed my bag, then made my way to the YADOYA Guesthouse in Nakano. I got checked in in no time, thanks to the help of Alice. I rested for a bit before going out again. I made my way to Ebisu for the obligatory (charot) Hana Yori Dango-slash-Matsumoto Jun fan pilgrimage to the Ebisu Garden Place! When I got there, however hard I studied the area maps posted in the vicinity, I couldn't find it! I went around at least three times, to no avail. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, napakamalas ko naman sa lakwatsang 'to. When I was on my way out, I spotted what I was looking for. Apparently, the Summer Terrace thing (it looked like they brought some drinking and dining spaces outside) was blocking the monument. I could've seen it in 3 minutes if only it wasn't hidden by the tents. Tingnan mo nga naman o, another case ng just when you're about ready to give up, biglang may nangyayaring maganda. Kaya naman, push lang ng push!
From Ebisu Garden Place I walked to what I think was the way to the Liquidroom. In short, naligaw na naman ako. Laging ganun, pansin ko lang: tipong ramdam ko na na naliligaw na ako pero tuloy lang, and kung kelan gusto ko na bumalik para itama ang lahat, maraming oras at pagod na ang nasayang ko. Anyway, went there to torture myself try to see if I could score tickets and go in. There were people outside the venue, alright, but I couldn't understand anything. Boy, Liquidroom was really small (relative to the other venues OOR already performed in) so there's no wonder the tickets have been sold out fast and people were selling them for up to ￥25000 a piece (original price was ￥4000) over at the auction sites. I just passed by the venue twice, then went back to the hostel thinking that even if I was unable to watch, it's not that bad considering I've been to their lives before. I shouldn't be so greedy and I should be content with all the blessings I've had (especially for that day) Besides, have a strong feeling they're gonna reach Philippine shores soon!
(As I'm typing this I've heard/read about the strong good impression the Filipino fandom left with the cast of Rurouni Kenshin. Nakuuuu Pilipinas, nararamdaman ko na, our time is coming. Push lang ng push, fandom! I'm so happy and proud of us!)