Friday April 10, 1998: 1:50pm
Here we are in Nikko! It is one *incredible* day today. We got up super-early (well, for a holiday at least!) and headed out by 7 -- we could see Mt. Fuji from Hino it was so clear and blue skied. Sunny! Good, because I wanted Mom and Dad to at least the Fuji-meister...
Oh, they got back last night from Kyoto - seems like they had a great time. They stayed in a ryokan (Japanese traditional inn) ,a super-duper nice one, for the first night, and it sounded really neat. Beautiful.
Anyway so, so far this morning we've taken the train to Nikko (it's so clear out that we saw Mt Fuji from Tokyo!!), and now we've walked to Toshogu Shrine, Rinouji, and Futarisan Jinja. It's really just the perfect day! And right now I think we're going to take a bus to Chuzenji-ko (Chuzenji Lake) and see Keggon-no-taki (Keggon Falls) which are supposed to be spectacular. Actually, Sensei told me on Wednesday that Keggon-no-taki actually freeze over in the winter! But I've seen pictures, and they're really tall! Cool.
6pm
Electric blue, that's the colour of the sky, wow! Actually, it's almost sunset, I bet it'll be nice!! We're on the train back to Asakusa. Keggon falls were pretty nice -- tall! But the lake was just beautiful. Add teh blue sky and nice temperatures.. aaaah...
Saturday April 11, 1998: 10:30pm
Today was Ginza and the Imperial Palace, kinda. We started out really late 'cuz Dad and I went for a run, and I cooked pancakes for breaky, so we weren't at the Tokyo Station (where we started from) until past noon. And woo is it HOT around here! It's like there was no in-between temperatures -- it jumped from cold last week to over 25C this week! Wow, this place is crazy.
So yeah, we started off in Ginza, which was a mistake because by the time we got to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, they were closed. Oh well, Mom and Dad saw lots of gardens alaready!
Ginza was packed as usual. They blocked off the streets at *exactly* 3 o'clock (as the bells were chiming!) so that it could transform into "pedestrian paradise". We went to the store Ito-ya where I spent ages and ages pouring over the calligraphy stuff, debating what I should buy. Tough choices!! I really really wanted some gold ink, but it only came in the blocks (which cost Y3500, or $40!! Ouch!) - so I had decided against it, but Mom and Dad said they would buy me it for my bday! And a nice brush too! Cool. Now I just have to wait until August to use them but hey, it's better than never!
We ate a late lunch at a cafe in the heart of Ginza -- along with 1/3 of Tokyo! It was a popular place, I guess. And after the Imperial Palace we headed to Tachikawa to see 'As Good as It Gets' since it won all these Oscars and I hadn't seen it yet. Good movie, wow! I was quite impressed with all of it.
And now, we're back. Didn't eat too much for dinner because we're saving up for tommorrow's Easter brunch! Yeah!! I can't WAIT for that!! Sweet dreams for me...
Sunday April 12, 1998: 3:25pm
Well, I am so stuffed that I feel just sick. SICK! It was worse about an hour ago, I couldn't even walk without being doubled over holding my stomach!! BUt, it was totally worth it, 'cuz that food was sooo tasty! Hash browns... pineapple juice... pineapple... fresh fruit! pastries, cakes, omelettes... owww... yummy for my tummy! But painful.
And ,like a real Easter Sunday, we went for a walk in a park - Shinjuku Gyoen actually - after brunch. Wow, it was just packed! Packed! Most of the cherry trees are finished now, but I could see how it would be one of the best places! Still, the trees have al gone green in the last week, so the colours are amazing. Wow.
Oh, we had an Easter egg hunt this morning in my apartment, that was funny... considering the limited space! But, Mom hid them well...
And now I'm going to Ryogoku to the Sumo stadium to see if I can find a Sumo doll for Sariya. I know she reeeeally wants one, but I just haven't had teh time to go there. Actually, I *did* check when I was there last and the dude wasn't there, but I'm really hoping he's back! I can't show up in Toronto without one and today is my last chance!
9pm
Woah what an experience! Tonight I got my haircut! No really! First time. In Japan, at least. I'd been avoiding it because I had been told they were super expensive - but it was an OK price. A little on the high side for a student. But I got the full treatment! Like, I go in there and tell the lady I want a cut. No shampoo. The simple way, y'know? So they stick me in the shampooing chair anyway, and put some sorta gook in my hair. But the cool thing is, while they're doing this, they actually put a cloth over your face! Isn't that so smart! Like, whenever I get my haircut in Canada, I have to stare up at the ceiling with all the bright lights and polka dot tiles and fight to keep my eyes open! But here, who cares! Haha. Oh, and when the lady was done washing my hair, she yelled out "I'm done!" at which all 7 other workers promptly yelled out "Thanks for a good job!". They did this quite often - it scared me.
Ok, so the lady asks me what kind of cut I want. I just wanted a plan straight old cut to my ears, so I said so. Simple. But she goes "Cut to your ears? Woud that be a rounded cut? A little shorter underneath? How about coming down in the front? Blunt? A little feathered around the face? Here, look at this magazine to see if there's anything you like..."... I was just a little stupefied! Uhhh... cut? ... to my ears..? Whatever happened to a little trim? But anyway, I picked the simplest "do" from the mag, pointed and said "that one" ... hahaha... Oh, and I got a *massage* with the cut! Cool eh. That, with all the yelling.. crazy. Too stressful to do more than once!!
Monday April 13, 1998: 9pm
Ah, so I talked to Daphne today, and she'll be coming to visit for sure!! Cool. This is gonna be so much fun! I'll definitely be busy during my last days!!
Mom and Dad left early this morning. They had lots of bags, thanks to me! I hope they didn't have too much trouble getting them to the airport and all.
And... I sent all my money back to Canada today. Took me *forever* at the bank. Sheesh. I think the girl was a trainee or something.
Anyway, I've been packing up, since tomorrow I head off to Beppu. Yeah!!
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