tokyo's eiffel

Behold - Japan's Eiffel Tower!

Now I can see the resemblance (and it was built to mirror it), but at the same time, it's somewhat different in a very orange and white steel structure kind of way (air safety regulations require its color scheme). This lovely tourist attraction is actually the tallest self supporting steel structure in the world. Mostly it serves as a major broadcasting tower, but also it serves as a money maker. :) I like it because it serves a great landmark - I can figure out where I am if I can see it. Jess and I visited on our first day here, but did not ride to the top. His mom and sister are arriving today (yay!) so I thought that if we were to make the journey heavenward, we might as well wait for the girls.

Really, the best part is the neon "Tokyo," I think. In case you were wondering where you were, there's a little reminder - you are not in Paris. I know you were confused there. :)

intelligence at its best

So you know how I'm always talking about how much I love running? Especially because it gives me a chance to think? And that sometimes I solve the world's biggest problems, have the best ideas while I'm out there pounding the pavement (like which route I should take on the way home in order to hit the highest number of convenience stores, thereby enabling the greatest selection of Japanese pastries), that's how much thinking occurs while I'm running?

Well, it's about time someone gave me some credit. Thanks Tokyo. Finally, someone figured out the formula to create a drink for intelligent athletes.

(If you prefer not thinking, just pick up a Gatorade. You'll be fine. ;) )

supersize shauntel

So years ago, I watched Supersize Me. And I stopped eating McDonald's. I didn't eat fast food altogether for quite a while, but Wendy's spicy chicken eventually crept back into my life. But McDonald's. Not a chance.

And then I came to Tokyo. Where McDonald's is a whole new world:

1. The customer service is insane. It's like they've been waiting all day to wrap up your burger, just for you.
2. It's a little bit of home. American fast food isn't too big here - they only have McDonald's and a few scattered Wendy's. We're told that Taco Bell has made a few goes, but the Japanese people just "don't get it." What do you mean - it's not normal to put a bunch of junk in a tortilla, roll it up, and consume it?
3. We're pretty sure that they put illegal addictive substances in their hamburgers. I mean, really. I am not a hamburger person. Unless I personally watch the person cook it on the grill (and when I say cook, I mean char), I don't really want any part of a hamburger, especially a McDonald's pre processed patty. Sick. But I'm telling you what - these Japanese do something to their burgers. They're addicting and they're delicious. They seriously taste different (and when I say different, I mean good) than their American counterparts.

So now when Jess asks if I'd like McDonald's, it's not so much a question of whether I do or not, as it is of which tasty morsel I'll consume from the dollar menu (did I mention the twisty cone?).

Supersize me Japanese style, baby.

in black and white

Today I visited Chuo Dori (Chuo Street), the place where Tokyo's five historical highways converge. When I got there, I wasn't too excited - the monument bridge is looking a little sad, the area a little run down, especially next to it's glittery neighbor, Ginza. But I had Jess' camera, and I thought that since I was lugging it around, I might as well get some use out of it. So I switched it to black and white and snapped away. And somehow, Chuo Dori isn't so bad now.

There's something about black and white that does something to a place and its people. It's like they're preserved in a whole new way.

Here are some of my favorites.

the bread of life

I'm not kidding when I say that every night I go to bed so excited to wake up. Why? So I can eat a piece of bread with strawberry jam. I seriously wake up just itching to get to what has become my morning ritual. Their thick (otherworldly soft) bread is something that belongs in the realm of perfection. And while Grandma Sycamore's is somewhat comparable in a desperate sort of way, I have yet to find anything in Durham that resembles good bread.

So it is with double sadness that I will leave my Japanese bread behind.

Not to mention the yummy jam with big ol' strawberries in it.

Mmmmmmm.

genetic grumblings

While I cannot prove this conclusively, I do dare hypothesize that Japanese women are not only genetically encoded with itty bitty frames, but also the ability to control the weather.

For example, on a day like today, the sun is out (glorious, glorious sun), but due to the recent tsunami-induced rain storms, the air is also filled with water. We're talkin' like 152% humidity. I'm pretty sure that's what the (Japanese) weatherman said last night (in Japanese). So we're talkin' wet hot air (like steam, really), plus a few dashes of wind. Which feels good when your clothes are sticking to you due to the fact you're walking through (not on) water. But then again, when you attempt to even remotely style your hair and the wind kicks in, um, bye bye bangs.

So there I am, standing on the subway platform battling the forces, willing my bangs to stay where I put them and to ignore the currents that woosh in through the station. And these little dainty things are just chatting away, hair perfectly coifed, faces perfectly undamp (it's a word, I'm sure of it). It is truly unfair and if I'm being honest, a genetic difference I'd prefer to share.

So what is this picture? This is my genetic code. When you interpret the weather controlling formulas in my code, it says: "Whatever."

And I'm left with this.

perfection

Because sometimes perfect doesn't sell.

PHOTO: This mannequin was captured at one of the malls here. I can't decide if it's like a "cutting edge" fashion mannequin or if it's some sort of minor insinuation that we Americans bear serious resemblance to Dr. Suess' characters.

puppy pride

So if you're a dog owner in Tokyo, the question is not, "Should I dress my dog?" but "Which t-shirt should Fido wear today?" Given Tokyo's tiny living quarters all around, if you own a dog, it's probably large enough to fit in the crook of your arm. (Miniature poodles are currently all the rage here.) I've seen a few larger mutts, and I'm pretty sure that given their droopy faces and fat bellies, they live seriously cramped lifestyles and secretly wish they could ditch their owners for greater pastures.

But for those with the small dogs, to take your dog out undressed is to ask for questioning glances from your neighbors' garb grabbing dogs as to why you would even consider allowing your naked dog out. These little mutts always have something on. I think my most favorite was the little Miniature Pinscher with a leather Harley Davidson vest and a mini skirt. And in every shopping area (which is basically all of Tokyo), you're sure to find a dog clothes store, some "designer." (I'm serious.)

In my personal opinion, most dogs were born with a great looking outfits (and those that weren't are still loveable in their own canine way). They also have four legs and a tail, features among others that sort of indicate that they're separated from their fellow two legged specimens who require clothing.

And if you know me, you know I love dogs. LOVE THEM. Want one. Currently in the begging process for one. But my pup will be proud of what its mama gave it and leave the Harley leather and mini skirts to me. :)

heads above the rest

Okay, so I know I make jokes about me being a giant among men here, but it's for real. I mean, you have your occasional tall (or fat) Japanese person (rarely female), but for the most part, I'm just chilling above their heads. Ceilings and doorways are often inches above me, and I have to duck occasionally.

This is an excellent example. To get to one shrine in Kamakura, we had to climb to the top of Mount Everest (I'm pretty sure it was that tall). So we're going up these endless stairs, right? Well I didn't notice it going up, but coming down I had to giggle. Because this is what happened when I went to reach for the rail - came up a bit short there. In order to use the hand holds, I had to hunch over or sort of squat.

I love this place. :)

as i was saying

So back to Kamakura. Kamakura is a little town outside of Tokyo, about an hour away by train. This was my first experience outside the lights and glimmer of Tokyo, and into Japan's rural side. As I said below, Kamakura is a popular tourist destination with temples, shrines and statues bursting from its seams. You're greeted by your first shrine just minutes away from the train station, and as you hoof it through town, they're tucked into every nook and cranny. Many are made entirely out of wood (which also explains why some are rebuilt after the original - much of Japan burned down at one point or another due to the highly flammable wood construction of most buildings.)

Perhaps the biggest attraction in Kamakura is Great Buddha. Kamakura's giant statue is the second largest Buddha in Japan, is made of bronze and weighs nearly 100 tons. To get to Buddha, we decided to take the trail less traveled and hiked through the forest instead of making our way through the local streets. It was a beautiful hike, albeit confusing at times, as the whole concept of trail markers hasn't quite caught on - above I'm standing by what we thought was something of an indication of path. Could've just been a grave marker. Or perhaps a local artist's painting ground.

I've included a smattering of photos from the day.