Japan at last!

The rough seas we were experiencing almost made us late getting into Japan.  Originally we were supposed to get there at 7am on Tuesday, February 9, but we were dockside (in Yokohama) at 9:30 and we were unable to get off the ship until about 11:30.  Customs and immigration took awhile, and it was a strange feeling to step onto land after almost 10 days sailing.   It was also very bizarre to think: “I’m in Asia.”

We headed straight to Tokyo from Yokohama.  Surprisingly the subway and trains to get there were very easy to navigate, and I think my group got an A+ for navigating our way around Tokyo.  Living home, I’ve definitely gotten spoiled driving my car around, and at first taking the subway everywhere was strange.  The subways (and trains) are so efficient and clean.  I was very, very impressed by the Tokyo subway system.  We were able to get all over the city with absolutely no problem.  We only once got off at the wrong station, and realized our mistake while still in the platform.  
From Yokohama our first stop was the Ritz Carlton, located in Tokyo Midtown.  The Ritz in Tokyo is the tallest building in Tokyo and it’s amazing.  There really are no words to describe the view from our room on the 53rd floor.  You really have to be there.  There also are no words to describe the Ritz.  It is by far the most amazing hotel I’ve ever stayed in.   My time was truly something out of a movie.   As soon as we got into our rooms we began screaming in excitement.  Amazing, spectacular, astounding- every adjective you can think of- describes the Ritz. 

My friend on board’s contact at the hotel (who got us the deal) was the Director of Public Relations and we got a personalized tour of Tokyo Midtown, which is practically a city in itself.   Because of this contact, I was able to get an interview with the Assistant General Manager of the hotel for Global Studies, a class I’m taking on board.  My group is making a documentary about whether or not foreigners are more or less educated about global environmental problems then the average United States citizen.   The interview went well, and while sitting in the lobby with the Assistant General Manager and the Director of Public Relations, the General Manager of the Ritz came over to me and said: “You’re sitting with the two most important women in the hotel, you must be important.”  I thought it was hilarious.

Okay, enough about the Ritz.  From the Ritz we went to the Senso-ji Temple, about a twenty-minute subway ride.  This temple is the oldest temple in Japan (parts of it were built in the 600s).    The temple was amazing.  The architecture was made me finally realize I’m in Asia.  Tokyo really is a globalized city, walking around, taking the subway, and seeing the skyscrapers made me think I was in a city like New York.  Seeing this temple, (and the Imperial Palace) really made me think I was in Asia.  
The Imperial Palace also was incredible.  When I was young I was really into castles and I felt like a little kid walking around the Imperial Palace’s grounds.  I don’t see how any army could have invaded the Imperial Palace; it truly is an impregnable fortress.   Another thing about the historical sites in Japan is the age of these sites.  Historical sites in the US are only a few hundred years old.  These sites were literally thousands of years old, and the awesomeness of that really stuck with me.  

We didn’t just spend our time checking out historical Tokyo though.  We also experienced a great nightlife.  Our first stop was a karaoke bar a few minutes from the Ritz.  It was fun, but very expensive.  We also went to a club in Tokyo Midtown, and ended up having a great time with the Japanese who were there.  The drink menus in Tokyo are the same as those in the US, only more expensive.  You would not believe the prices of drinks and food at the Ritz.  We all got a drink there before we headed out and a Mango Mojito cost 25000 yen, which is about $25.  A bottle of coke cost about $10.  Thank God every other port we are headed to is so much cheaper than Japan and Hawaii…

We also stopped in the Electric District in Tokyo.  Imagine Best Buy x 10.  Stores with nothing but shelves and shelves of computers, DVS players, video game machines, cameras, DVDS, CDS, toy cars, and every other electronic gadget you can think of.  It was insane.   I hope Ho Chi Min is the same way but with much, much lower prices.  I’ve heard from past SASers that it is. 

I wouldn’t say the people of Tokyo weren’t friendly, but they weren’t mean or hostile either.  They simply didn’t seem to care about a group of American’s, or they were immune to foreigners.  I think the latter is more likely.  Tokyo is such a globalized city that we seemed to just blend in.  I also have a new deal of respect for tourists.  Now, I really know the problems they experience while getting around the US. 

Even though I was in Tokyo, it was surprising to see how much a like people are.  People in Tokyo were glued to their cell phones, reading the newspaper, honking at other drivers, and just, well, being people.  I do have to say that the Japanese are much more quieter than Americans.  Even on a street packed with bars and nightclubs, it was still very quiet.   While on the subway, I only encountered one person talking on their cell phone, much different then the US. 

Well, now we’re to Kobe, Japan.  Let’s see if Kobe and Kyoto are as much fun as Tokyo.   I’ll try to get some pictures up in Kobe. 

Also, congratulations are in order for my sister, Joanna, who officially chose where she is going to college in the fall.  She’ll be attending Gettysburg College!  Congrats on your decision! Love you!