Leaving Japan

Eto....the Intensive workshop on sustainability has ended so I'm headed back to the Good 'ole USA, even less sure about society and the meaning of life and all that than I normally am. Only had an extra 24 hours in Tokyo, but we did pretty good. Spent last night in Shibuya. I love daicon (see below) but I wasn't sure I could take one back with me.



We also spent some time (and a fair bit of money) exploring bizarre Japanese sub-cultures. I'm mixing my drink at the Lock Up bar....


It was ok. The best one I think came in a collection of neon vials. This morning was a disaster of wasted time. Went to check out the palace gardens; never made it to Akhiabara.


But I'll be back Japan, I'll be back.

Fish Market

The experience continues, rocking the erie Shonan Village center like the champions we are. Comraderie grows but specific reason for our being here becomes less clear. Spending 8:30 am to 9:30 pm roughly involved in lectures and group work. Looking forward to day trip to Yokohama tomorrow. All I've really had a chance to do is visit the fish market in Tokyo:

Tokyo from the Shinagawa Prince Hotel

Fish Market in Tokyo

Whale meat

Note the sword

Tokyo

I've only been in Japan a little over a day so far, but my initial impressions are, essentially, it's rad.

Totally impressed and eager to see more. All that being said, I'm currently in a pretty bad mood because

1. I haven't had enough to eat in two days
2. I don't have any money

The Japanese really don't know what to do with vegetarians. I'm not even sure there's a word for it. One of the Japanese kids here had to think pretty seriously for a while what the best way to even ask for a meat-free meal was. More over, I'm in a REALLY bad mood because apparently vegetarians aren't allowed to have cake. I'm super hungry and everyone else gets this buffet meal, the vegetarians get this little tray with a bowl of water-based soup, a tiny salad, and an egg. Later they brought out this tray of gourmet chocolate cake and the lady literally took it out of my hand. Vegetarians get a strawberry and a slice of honey-dew. :-| I nearly cried.

I don't have any money because there aren't many ATMs and the only one I have found that was useable doesn't take visa cards. I've been to 12 countries and I've never not been able to use my visa....it's my fail-safe for getting cash in the correct currency at the best exchange rate. So now I owe a couple nice people 2000 yen for train tickets and I have nothing else..... so....if no one gets a postcard, that's what's up.