This blogging thing is turning out to be more work than I had anticipated. I will be spending the next couple days post blogging the past 3 weeks. Hold tight and I'll have some pictures to accompany the words.
Left Toyko Monday 11am, arrived at Dulles 10am. Time travel not all it's cracked up to be. It surprisingly takes a long time, 12 hours to be extact. Currently not feeling the affects of jet lag but that could be because my body has no idea what time and day it's supposed to be.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Tokyo, day 2 continued
After the fish market we took the subway to Akihabara aka Electric town. The street is full of stands selling cameras, cell phones, lights, and any other electronics you can think of. There are also stores, 6, 7, 8 floors full of goodies. The most fascinating merchandise for me were the high tech rice cookers and toilet seats.
Next neighborhood was Asakusa. There is a street lined with stands selling food, clothes, and souvenirs that lead to Sensoji Temple. It was packed with people who were shopping but also going to the temple to pray.
The marathon day continued with a visit to Harajuku to see the famous fashion and all the teenagers hanging out in their goth maid costumes at 3p like it's completely normal which I guess for them it is. Crepes are big here so there were girls hanging out on the street eating crepes. No walking around eating, standing and eating. It's hard for me to not walk and eat. The Japanese do not. I think because there are no trash cans anywhere.
Went home where my aunt made dinner, took a break and then went out to see the lights of Roppongi. There's this huge development called Roppongi Hills that's relative new, I think built in 2004. It's a series of office buildings, apartments, shops, movie theater, museums, and restaurants intertwined with each other. It's beautiful.
We did not make it to the Cavern Club. But it turns out my sisters saw the Silver Beats open for the Killers back in states and were interested in going. We couldn't find it and also were pretty beat so we headed home.
Phew.
My aunt Co Ha and uncle Chu Vu took us around the whole day. I've learned a lot of things on this trip but the one thing that I'm most amazed about is somehow I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by incredibly generous, kind people. What have I done to deserve such kindness? My uncle Bac Kim in Saigon, Alex in Nha Trang, Co Ha and Chu Vu in Tokyo. They've all gone completely out of their way to make sure we see everything we want to, are well fed and well rested, and always happy. Thanking them well never be enough for what they've given us.
Next neighborhood was Asakusa. There is a street lined with stands selling food, clothes, and souvenirs that lead to Sensoji Temple. It was packed with people who were shopping but also going to the temple to pray.
The marathon day continued with a visit to Harajuku to see the famous fashion and all the teenagers hanging out in their goth maid costumes at 3p like it's completely normal which I guess for them it is. Crepes are big here so there were girls hanging out on the street eating crepes. No walking around eating, standing and eating. It's hard for me to not walk and eat. The Japanese do not. I think because there are no trash cans anywhere.
Went home where my aunt made dinner, took a break and then went out to see the lights of Roppongi. There's this huge development called Roppongi Hills that's relative new, I think built in 2004. It's a series of office buildings, apartments, shops, movie theater, museums, and restaurants intertwined with each other. It's beautiful.
We did not make it to the Cavern Club. But it turns out my sisters saw the Silver Beats open for the Killers back in states and were interested in going. We couldn't find it and also were pretty beat so we headed home.
Phew.
My aunt Co Ha and uncle Chu Vu took us around the whole day. I've learned a lot of things on this trip but the one thing that I'm most amazed about is somehow I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by incredibly generous, kind people. What have I done to deserve such kindness? My uncle Bac Kim in Saigon, Alex in Nha Trang, Co Ha and Chu Vu in Tokyo. They've all gone completely out of their way to make sure we see everything we want to, are well fed and well rested, and always happy. Thanking them well never be enough for what they've given us.
Tokyo, day 2
We're about to sit down to dinner that my aunt is cooking. While I've enjoyed the food I've eaten thus far in the trip, I miss home cooking. Nothing compares.
Today we got an early start because we wanted to get to the legendary fish market. Unfortunately to see the real action, which is the fish auction, we would need to be there at 7am. We didn't get down there until 8:30am so we missed the auction but still got to see seafood that I've never seen in my life, wriggling and in technicolor. There was tuna so big they were using an axe to skin it and a table saw to cut up pieces. Fresh scallops still in the shell, octopus, eel, and many unidentifiable creatures. After dodging buckets of fishy water being thrown on the ground and carts zooming by, we got some breakfast sushi. Yup, sushi for breakfast. We sat at the bar, pointed to the picture menu and they give it to you as they make it. Amazing. They rolled the seaweed like an ice cream cone.
Dinner break. To be continued after Roppongi tonight. Aaron, I'll see if the gang wants to go the Cavern Club...
Today we got an early start because we wanted to get to the legendary fish market. Unfortunately to see the real action, which is the fish auction, we would need to be there at 7am. We didn't get down there until 8:30am so we missed the auction but still got to see seafood that I've never seen in my life, wriggling and in technicolor. There was tuna so big they were using an axe to skin it and a table saw to cut up pieces. Fresh scallops still in the shell, octopus, eel, and many unidentifiable creatures. After dodging buckets of fishy water being thrown on the ground and carts zooming by, we got some breakfast sushi. Yup, sushi for breakfast. We sat at the bar, pointed to the picture menu and they give it to you as they make it. Amazing. They rolled the seaweed like an ice cream cone.
Dinner break. To be continued after Roppongi tonight. Aaron, I'll see if the gang wants to go the Cavern Club...
Friday, January 18, 2008
Konichiwa from Tokyo
Got into Tokoyo today on the bullet train from Kyoto. Some sailing until we get off the train in the Tokyo station. People everyone moving at a very fast pace. Now if you know anything about me, I'm a person who likes to walk fast but the Tokyo train station is double time.
Since taxis are so expensive and we'd have to take two taxis, we decide on the subway and now figure out the subway to my uncle and aunt's place. Luckily my sister Khue has a good sense of direction and can read a map without getting flustered.
My uncle works for the World Bank and started his post in Tokyo in September. He and my aunt in living in an executive apartment during their time here. Basically a hotel but with a kitchen and a second bedroom. Very spacious for Tokyo standards.
Tomorrow we really get into Tokyo. Stay tuned.
Since taxis are so expensive and we'd have to take two taxis, we decide on the subway and now figure out the subway to my uncle and aunt's place. Luckily my sister Khue has a good sense of direction and can read a map without getting flustered.
My uncle works for the World Bank and started his post in Tokyo in September. He and my aunt in living in an executive apartment during their time here. Basically a hotel but with a kitchen and a second bedroom. Very spacious for Tokyo standards.
Tomorrow we really get into Tokyo. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Kyoto
Konichiwa from Kyoto. Took a 12am flight from Saigon, landed 4 hours later in Osaka at 7am and then struggled to figure out how to get train to Kyoto. From the Kyoto train station hailed a cab to get to a very nice hotel.
We took a power nap and spent the rest of the afternoon walking about the city center and getting lost down the many shopping arcades. The street names are all very long and all seem the same but we managed to find our way back to the hotel.
Japan and Vietnam, light years away from each other. The weather is different. The clothes are different. The traffic is different. Everything. In Vietnam, finding a toilet and not a hole with toilet paper was a victory. In Japan, the toilet seat is heated, it flushes itself, and you have the option to use it as a bidet. Amazing.
One more day here and the we're on a Friday morning bullet train to Toyko.
We took a power nap and spent the rest of the afternoon walking about the city center and getting lost down the many shopping arcades. The street names are all very long and all seem the same but we managed to find our way back to the hotel.
Japan and Vietnam, light years away from each other. The weather is different. The clothes are different. The traffic is different. Everything. In Vietnam, finding a toilet and not a hole with toilet paper was a victory. In Japan, the toilet seat is heated, it flushes itself, and you have the option to use it as a bidet. Amazing.
One more day here and the we're on a Friday morning bullet train to Toyko.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Hanoi
Quick post from Vietnam. Currently in Hanoi, last day here. I always thought NYC was crazy busy but it doesn't even compare to Hanoi or Saigon. I don't know how peolpe get any rest or peace of mind. It's so densely populated.
That's it. I'll post blog when I get back to the states.
That's it. I'll post blog when I get back to the states.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Eve Before Vietnam
so it's finally here. the eve before flying to vietnam. a little backstory on how i got to this point.
a couple months ago, i think beginning of summer, TLC decides to move the network to LA. i immediately think that i won't have job come the end of 2007. perfect! it's a natural break in the work cycle. i decide that i should make it easy for team and quit to travel. one of my biggest regrets in life is that i didn't study abroad in college and i never took advantage of all the long summer and winter breaks. all these chances to travel and i didn't take them.
and this brings us to now. i've been so busy with the holidays, moving tlc's library, and just work in general that i haven't had time to absorb that i actually quit my job and that i'm actually going to travel for 3 months. 12 hours from now i'm getting on a plane and it still hasn't sunk in.
everyone who knows me knows that i'm a type a personality. hmm...type a probably doesn't begin to describe how much i need order and to plan and to organize. this is a big deal what i'm doing so wish me luck.
i hope to post every couple days or at the very least back blog when i get back at the end of the month.
a couple months ago, i think beginning of summer, TLC decides to move the network to LA. i immediately think that i won't have job come the end of 2007. perfect! it's a natural break in the work cycle. i decide that i should make it easy for team and quit to travel. one of my biggest regrets in life is that i didn't study abroad in college and i never took advantage of all the long summer and winter breaks. all these chances to travel and i didn't take them.
and this brings us to now. i've been so busy with the holidays, moving tlc's library, and just work in general that i haven't had time to absorb that i actually quit my job and that i'm actually going to travel for 3 months. 12 hours from now i'm getting on a plane and it still hasn't sunk in.
everyone who knows me knows that i'm a type a personality. hmm...type a probably doesn't begin to describe how much i need order and to plan and to organize. this is a big deal what i'm doing so wish me luck.
i hope to post every couple days or at the very least back blog when i get back at the end of the month.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)