… I’m back!
From Japan and also, you know, to this blog. This is my 2nd post and all, so it’s hardly the epitome of longevity but, we still celebrate every single step.
Here’s a haiku to describe my trip (and it rhymes too)
Clouds and mountain air
Mistake with the Takkyubin
We buy underwear
Introductory haiku over, here are some pics from the trip ~
Day 1: Went shopping with T before we left for Japan and bought a couple of Japan-themed books. Finished reading Seicho Matsumoto’s Tokyo Express and gave it to my mum to read. Plot was okayyy but I enjoyed the writing. Watched on the plane – May December (grossssss but great performances but ahhh gross) + The Taste of Things (wow thankful for this palate cleanser, pun unintended – highly recc). Landed and ordered room service cos one needs to be fortified to walk the streets of Tokyo. It’s never simple. Sleep.
Day 2: Daytrip to Mt Takao, it was no joke. We got “conned” by this “friendly” man at the map who was like, go on route 6, it’s nice and cool by the stream. The stream was cooling and looked so inviting after awhile because climbing that trail I felt so hot, wished I could lie down in the water. But we got to the summit and we saw Fuji-san (learnt today that its pronouns are female), which was strangely gratifying?! (there’s really something abt that peak. magnetic vibes maybe.) ate Tororo Soba and drank a Biru cos why not.
Day 3: Rain all day in Tokyo. Got a bad headache from visiting shops and also taking coffee in Shinjuku. So went to the Shinjuku Gyo-en and was healed by nature. Seen above – a reminder of 伟大的妈妈. Remember to appreciate your mothers cos I bet you they were nervous abt you the whole damn year.
Day 4: Bus to Kamikochi. I liked this room bc the air wasn’t filtered. It was nice and cold mountain air and the duvets were warm and feather-filled. The air is crisp and the bird song is varied and melodious. Met the fiercest receptionist ever – scolded children for ringing bear bells in the reception area + chided my mother for asking for more than 1 towel after she threw hers away at the public bath. I guess one has to be fierce when running a lodge. Cos you know, bears.
Day 5: Two flat-ish walks, separated by a siesta after lunch (much needed). I’m an uncle at heart. Look at that scenery. I have no words. Also was relieved to see that the fierce receptionist was not on duty. Got the manager who was not so confident in English and he had to use a pocket translator. It was pretty cool. He smiles a lot and doesn’t make us feel like idiots. Hurrah. We shared two beers over dinner and then had trouble sleeping in the night.
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Okay. I think I’m going to leave it here, I actually wrote this as one long post but felt like it would be a bit much, even for me.
Stay tuned for the 2nd part. No pics of like my face cos #privacy and also #fear. lol. Also need to confess that my haiku was misleading – underwear was bought but not because of the takkyubin mistake. Simply because it’s apparently cheaper in Japan and the underwear lady was very thorough in her fitting process, she was a great saleslady! Recommend.
It’s way too late for me. See I told you I only write before sleeping.
こんばんわ！
the quarter light 