26th Shinjuku, dinner

My Morioka friend who helped us book the hotel was meeting us for dinner in Shinjuku. We were late for half an hour, because my companion wanted to stick to subway instead of JR.

Yes JR is more expensive, I know. But for about 200 - 300 yen, you're keeping someone who gave us great help waiting. The weather didn't help either. Since she showed a lot of confidence about getting around in Japan, I didn't feel like arguing so I just shut up and followed the flow. (I shouldn't have, should I? Sigh...) Later I found out she wasn't as invincible as she seemed...

Anyway, we had dinner at a chain restaurant Goemon. At first glance, it looked like ramen. But it was actually spaghetti cooked in Japanese style. I had natto, raw egg, and some kind of vegi. It was very good! (Although very slimy.) The dinner set included a spaghetti dish, a soup, a drink, and a self-serve salad bar. At around 1700 yen, it was a great deal.

26th Ueno, Kichijoji

There are a lot of funeral related business around the hotel... Looking at the map reveals many shrines too. Nope, I didn't visit any of them. We were only one train station away from Asakusa, but I didn't even go there... sigh. I wanted to, but my body gave up. My friend went to Asakusa on the 31st night to see the traditional Japanese new years eve, I didn't even have enough energy left for that. Oh well. (But then there were nothing else but crowds.)

It started raining in the evening of the 26th. And it turn into a rain + wind storm the next day, when we went to Kichijoji to see the Rement event. Somehow we got off one station late and were lost. It must have been an express train that skipped stations, because none of us were aware of missing any stops.

The Rement event at Kichijoji Loft was OK. There were gifts with purchase. The price at Akihabara and Nakano is probably cheaper. Nevertheless I bought one set just in case. Yup, just for the gift that isn't sold in stores.

Dec 25 Ueno, hotel

There were only 12 days between departure and the notification. (We were on waiting list.) By the time we got the phone call, virtually no hotel was available. Almost all the online booking only show vacancy up to 7 days. We needed 10. No hotel had vacancy for 10 consecutive days. We had to either go for the high end expensive ones (which I can't afford) or sleep on the street.

Luckily my Japanese friend in Morioka offered a helping hand. She made some phone calls and found us a cheaper hotel in Ueno. We got a semi double room. The room size and bed size are between a single and a double. Splitting with my friend, we each pay 3500 yen per night (about $35). Which is a super deal.

Although thankful, we do get what we pay for. The place is small and dingy. But don't take me wrong, I'm not complaining. It worked out allright.

Luggage

As I couldn't expect any help, I only took one suit case with me. (And it's not the biggest type.) Ended up filling it up with toys. The gifts for friends and relatives eventually disappeared, so I had some space. And I sure pushed the capacity of this suit case to its limit! Imagine, besides these toys, I had 3 pair of pants, 6 tops, and 5 sets of inners and socks, plus one spare jacket.

I had to buy a small "dojin" suit case in Ikebukuro too. That's the type you see people dragging around to dojin events. It's quite a bit smaller than the carry-on limit. At around $10, it's a good deal. But it was broken at the airport... sob sob sob... (It fell with the handle extended, and one side of the handle broke.) Oh well...

Grey again

So grey... It's the same as that one week of getting stucked inside the house... (the ground is completely frozened.)

I'm back (half dead)

Argh! There's snow on the ground!
Argh! The vampire came that very same night!
Argh! Got carried away and had cold drinks druing the trip!
Argh! Slept 15 hours straight!
Argh! Still haven't finished unpacking after 4 days!
Argh! Ran out of room to put the toys...
Argh! Back to the same old reversed day and night.

Argh! More snow coming... sob sob sob...

Trip: Japan (4)

Last few hours in Japan. Will fly to Hong Kong late afternoon. Should have brought 2 suit cases. Luggage packing was tough. The FMA Japanese blog friends are super nice. Felt like we've known each other for years. Can't wait to see my friens in Hong Kong next!