A fantasic day!
Went to Tokyo today -- coolest freakin city I've ever been to! One of the area leaders, Peter, took me and his girlfriend Emi all over Tokyo.
First we went to Asakusa and had shabu-shabu (thinkly sliced beef/pork that you dunk into boiling broth with veggies at the table). We took turns being Nabe Master (the person who skims the fat from the top of the boil every few minutes).
We went to a temple where we cleansed our brains with incense, put in 100Yen and got our fortunes. Mine was No. 50 Regular Fortune:
After reading our fortunes, we wet to a fountain and cleansed ourselves some more by pouring water on our hands from gold ladles. Then we went up stairs into the temple, tossed our 5Yen in (5 is the lucky number), clapped twice to announce our arrival to the gods, and made our requests.
Then we scrammed and walked by a Denny's.
We went to the Japanese Government building and saw all of Tokyo from 45 floors up, including a great view of Mt. Fuji (the best that Peter had ever seen). We walked through Shibuya (booyah!) and Shinjuku (I believe). We walked through the famous intersection of Tokyo with the huge TV screens and the many many people. There were girls (and a few guys) in all kinds of costumes (baby doll dresses, superhero tights, some truly bizarre stuff) and a great deal of gaijin crowded around in admiration.
We had yakitori with sake for dinner ("yakitori" translates to "burned chicken", basically barbecue, only not like in the US). I actually tried liver (which...ehhh) and chicken heart, which was yummy!
NOTE: the Japanese do not like to stay hydrated. If you repeated ask for mizu, they will finally give you a big beer mug of water in hopes you will leave them alone.
I still haven't taken any pictures. I will go back to Tokyo, hopefully with a good idea of the pix I want to take, and will an empty memory card in my camera.
Tomorrow I'll either go to the Narita temple, or stay home and clean, do laundry, and go food shopping.
I'll think I'll postpone my spiritual experience.
First we went to Asakusa and had shabu-shabu (thinkly sliced beef/pork that you dunk into boiling broth with veggies at the table). We took turns being Nabe Master (the person who skims the fat from the top of the boil every few minutes).
We went to a temple where we cleansed our brains with incense, put in 100Yen and got our fortunes. Mine was No. 50 Regular Fortune:
- All your request & desire will get through and go change to the better. The double letters of "mountain" means go out and you can do everything in a hurry and be in safe. Naturally your is so fortune, and you can meet with so many a happiness.
Everything, treasure wealth and income will be in your hand without any trouble.
*Your request will be granted. *The patient will get well soon. *The lost article will be found. *The person you wait for will come but late. *Building a new house or removal are both good. *To start a trip is good. *Marriage and employment are both well.
After reading our fortunes, we wet to a fountain and cleansed ourselves some more by pouring water on our hands from gold ladles. Then we went up stairs into the temple, tossed our 5Yen in (5 is the lucky number), clapped twice to announce our arrival to the gods, and made our requests.
Then we scrammed and walked by a Denny's.
We went to the Japanese Government building and saw all of Tokyo from 45 floors up, including a great view of Mt. Fuji (the best that Peter had ever seen). We walked through Shibuya (booyah!) and Shinjuku (I believe). We walked through the famous intersection of Tokyo with the huge TV screens and the many many people. There were girls (and a few guys) in all kinds of costumes (baby doll dresses, superhero tights, some truly bizarre stuff) and a great deal of gaijin crowded around in admiration.
We had yakitori with sake for dinner ("yakitori" translates to "burned chicken", basically barbecue, only not like in the US). I actually tried liver (which...ehhh) and chicken heart, which was yummy!
NOTE: the Japanese do not like to stay hydrated. If you repeated ask for mizu, they will finally give you a big beer mug of water in hopes you will leave them alone.
I still haven't taken any pictures. I will go back to Tokyo, hopefully with a good idea of the pix I want to take, and will an empty memory card in my camera.
Tomorrow I'll either go to the Narita temple, or stay home and clean, do laundry, and go food shopping.
I'll think I'll postpone my spiritual experience.