![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
* it's hot and humid (no surprise.) Hasn't kept me from walking around a fair bit, I just sweat a lot.
* walking for three hours is more fun when you're in a dense city full of thing than in say bloomington.
* ramen shops are harder to find than expected
* broiled toro is really good
* there are many bicycles. They're more advanced than ours in two simple ways: the kickstand is a square u of metal that falls under the back wheel, so there's full support, unlike our leaning kickstands. And they have built in locks, no u-lock or cable stuff.
* the world of 12k fandom is small. aiwritingfic: "oh, I know someone translating that." me: "Eugene Woodbury, canis_m..." her: "yeah, canis! hey, don't nag her!"
* wi-fi is hard to find here; I think all the natives use data via cell phone. I, uh, scavenge. Right now I'm in a back alley.
* I have chosen to believe people about the low crime rate. I haven't felt like I need to rethink that.
* onigiri isn't very interesting. Well, the conveience store pieces I had weren't.
* there's a lot of gaijin in this back alley, I think that building must be a hostel. Khaosan Tokyo ninja -- oh, they're my current source. heh.
* I really wish I knew more of the language and kanji.
* my hotel has a space age bathroom. The airport did not. The airport did have baby seats in the stalls for parking your baby. Like the bicycles, a "duh!" advance.
* Engrish starts in customs. "REGULATIONS WILL BE REINFORCED". My rental cell phone's manual has it too. You'd think these people could pay $40 to get a native Englisher to proof.
* Ubuntu on the eee is decent but has quirks, especially in power management.
* I found shinto temples, and I think a buddhist cemetery.
* walking for three hours is more fun when you're in a dense city full of thing than in say bloomington.
* ramen shops are harder to find than expected
* broiled toro is really good
* there are many bicycles. They're more advanced than ours in two simple ways: the kickstand is a square u of metal that falls under the back wheel, so there's full support, unlike our leaning kickstands. And they have built in locks, no u-lock or cable stuff.
* the world of 12k fandom is small. aiwritingfic: "oh, I know someone translating that." me: "Eugene Woodbury, canis_m..." her: "yeah, canis! hey, don't nag her!"
* wi-fi is hard to find here; I think all the natives use data via cell phone. I, uh, scavenge. Right now I'm in a back alley.
* I have chosen to believe people about the low crime rate. I haven't felt like I need to rethink that.
* onigiri isn't very interesting. Well, the conveience store pieces I had weren't.
* there's a lot of gaijin in this back alley, I think that building must be a hostel. Khaosan Tokyo ninja -- oh, they're my current source. heh.
* I really wish I knew more of the language and kanji.
* my hotel has a space age bathroom. The airport did not. The airport did have baby seats in the stalls for parking your baby. Like the bicycles, a "duh!" advance.
* Engrish starts in customs. "REGULATIONS WILL BE REINFORCED". My rental cell phone's manual has it too. You'd think these people could pay $40 to get a native Englisher to proof.
* Ubuntu on the eee is decent but has quirks, especially in power management.
* I found shinto temples, and I think a buddhist cemetery.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-08-14 21:49 (UTC)From:Really? I seem to remember them all over with signs in hiragana. Curry shops are nice alternative if you're looking for something cheap and I'm also partial to Yoshinoya and MOS burger.
Obviously I live in a backwater of Japan but in 3+ years I have never felt unsafe and rarely lock up my shit.
Yes! Even if you can't tell what kind it is, it doesn't matter. They all taste pretty much the same.
Yeah, these are everywhere and awesome!
Do you have a guidebook? The typical tourist stuff - morning at fish market, Tokyo tower, Roppongi for nightlife, etc. may be overdone but is still pretty fun.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-15 02:49 (UTC)From:Don't know MOS but yeah, went to a Yoshinoya last night. Figured Japanese fast food was part of the authentic experience. Didn't taste that different from Pasadena! But my meal came with miso (with seaweed, unlike the sushi place ai took me to). The McD's have shrimp burgers which amuses me though I'm not sure I'm up to finding out how fresh their shrimp is.
Yeah, some guide for Tokyo and a borrowed Lonely Planet for Japan, so I've got some clue. But today I think I'll cross the river. Sumo museum? I'm still into basic walking tours, plus it gets me out of dealing with the trains for a bit more. :) Wish I'd brought my hat though.