Canadian In Tokyo

Thinking

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 September 2010 04:14 Friday, 03 September 2010 20:51

Sitting in a Mizz doooh  ( Mister Donut) having a hot tea...

Strange look from cashier "icey?" "hoto" "icey?" "hoto, lemon"

One if the big downsides of my exploration technique is I may never find the cool places I visit again, since I don't know where I am.

One of the things I do, As I walk is a lot of thinking.

A friend wrote on her blog " a breakthrough is on the other side of a breakdown" Thinking about this I don't think the reverse is true. I think ( hope) that to reach a breakthrough you don't have to have a breakdown.
Read more...
When I reflect on my recent skirmish with depression, I hope that other people don't have to sink into the depths before they can come out the other side.

In my case I was lucky.. I reached the point were as I was staring into the depths of despair, good luck, good friends and family pulled me back before I slid too far in. It took some work to reprogram my brain, but I like who I am now... and am enjoying being me.

I think the important thing is to reach out and get help, even if you don't feel you need it!
You have to fight the despair but there are people around you who will help you!!
The toughest part is asking for their help.

But enough of the heavy thoughts on a hot sunny Saturday, surround a new and exciting world with bad English 70s tunes playing on the sound system.

Now to go out and explore some more

State of mind

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 September 2010 22:31 Thursday, 02 September 2010 22:17

I was walking along the street when I saw a person in the window... He looked familiar but it took me a minute to figure out who it was.

It was me... but different.  This person had such a huge smile on his face....

I awoke this morning with a sore face.... again because of so much smiling.

Why am I so happy here?
It is warm ( maybe too warm). 
Every step I take, every place I go is new, interesting, and stimulating.
I feel safe
I feel comfortable.
I am not afraid to get lost, which is really easy to do.

This morning I went to the Japanese version of a Canadian Tire Store.  I felt like I was in paradise.
There were some items that I had no idea what they were, and what they were for... but I saw familiar stuff, and stuff that was "what a cool idea"

I don't know if Tokyo is where I will be forever, but it is the place for me now.

Transportation

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 September 2010 06:47 Wednesday, 01 September 2010 00:00

I love the Metro, clean, quiet and efficient, but it can chew up the funds quickly.

In the first 4 days here I have used ¥2,000 in credit on the passimo card... This is about $20

I have been walking alot ( good for my weight) which allows me to see things up close... Also allows me to get lost, and found.

I think my next step is to buy a bicycle.

I am thinking a cheap second hand one to start. This will allow me to explore further quicker.

A car or motorbike is out of the question! Besides the cost, learning the discipline that the drivers seem to have here would be a challenge, along with driving on the other side of the road..in traffic.

I have been told that I can get a icese here for aroud $30, while

Also a bike would be quicker in most cases.

Ices tea and pure geek

Last Updated on Monday, 30 August 2010 17:55 Monday, 30 August 2010 10:14

I am sitting in a cafe in Ginza having a ( expensive ￥500）iced tea, waiting for Chris.

I am sitting outside, in the heat, because this is the no smoking zone.
Inside in the cool is were the smoking section is.

Stuff I learned- part 1

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 September 2010 06:48 Friday, 27 August 2010 19:40

Random thoughts and comments.

I have to learn to walk on the other side of the sidewalk... on the left and not on the right.  Seeing hundreds of people coming towards you can be intimidating.


I have been getting some interesting looks... don't know if it my hairy legs sticking out of my shorts.  Except for the cool/ hip kids, shorts are not popular.  I am too hot to worry about the looks now.

I need to watch for bikes.  The ride on the sidewalk... a couple of close calls with some old ladies has tuned my senses...

It is bright here...the sun can be blinding... but sunglasses are rare.  It is impolite to cover your eyes.  I wear my photogrey glasses ( darken while outside)...being able to see is important to me.

Long flowing peasent or sun dresses are popular... usually with small floral prints.  For guys it is shirt and dress pants, but the ties have been taken off.

Gloves seem to be popular with the older ladies.  These cover the hands and arms up to the bicep.  I assume that they are to keep the sun off of the arms and hands.

Umbrellas are also popular... provide your own portable shade.  Another reason to learn which side to walk on.

Everyone carries a cloth with them to wipe their brow...

I am here

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 September 2010 06:49 Thursday, 26 August 2010 23:31

I have arrived in Tokyo

It was a very uneventful flight...the way I like it.

It took a while to go through immigration... three large planes landed about the same time.

Then I had to struggle with 2 large bags to get on the train... but I made it!

It's hot.

32 to 36 with 80 - 90% humidity.

At the house, the airconditioning is doing a good job, but the water it produces is dripping down the inside of the wall.  This is an old house, which has mat floors... water is not a good thing. The landlord is sending someone to deal with it tomorrow.

I have been doing a lot of walking, getting lost, and found again.  I have been in getting to know the city again mode, so I haven't been shooting, yet.

I hope to start shooting over the weekend, and then I will start posting pictures...