Divergent Day

 

A lot happened yesterday, and honestly, by the time I got back to the hotel, I was too exhausted to even think about writing a blog post. So now you get the delayed version.

 

The big thing yesterday was visiting the Tokyo Japan Temple.

 

My professor was really kind and said I could skip the museum that was scheduled so I could go.

The train was easy, going from the station to the temple, I got a little lost because several of the “roads” Google Maps kept directing me down looked less like streets and more like private driveways or alleyways. But eventually I found it, and it was beautiful.

It was my first time being in a multi-level temple, and somehow – miraculously – I wasn’t hurting while I was inside. The artwork as gorgeous, an the whole experience was very peaceful. I sometimes took the headset off to hear things in Japanese, and one of the things I heard – for those in the know – was what was an entire sentence in English was two words in Japanese. Technically not even. “Nani desu ka” is just one word and a particle, but still. Because the Japanese understand the unspoken word. How cool is that?!

I had brought a family name with me, but things went a little sideways because the temple couldn’t print it for some reason,. They could print Mary Laurence, though, so I took that as a sign that Mary needed me yesterday, and I was able to take her through her endownments instead. I can take Wynona through next time.

Afterward, I was absolutely starving, but on the way back towards the station I accidently wandered near a park instead of to the station, and decided to walk around for a little while because it was pretty.

 

There were koi fish there.

 

Massive koi fish.

 

Like, genuinely the size of my thigh.

There were also a lot of families with little kids running around, which was really sweet to watch. I IdidI have to stop myself from saying anything when I saw people feeding bread to the birds and fish, because it isn’t really my place and there would’ve been a language barrier anyway, but every part of me wanted to go: “Please don’t feel the wildlife bread. It makes them sick.”

 

I also found a bakery that smelled incredible and tasted… okay.

Tragic, really.

 

With a little time till I was expected to meet back up with the group, I tried exploring Akihabara, but it was sensory overload in the fullest sense of the word. Especially right after being in the quiet of the Temple, so I decided that was going to be an adventure for my free-day.

Then I got very lost trying to find the correct station.

At that point I had already walked farther than I probably should have without a break with my back protesting, but I still needed to meet up with the group later, so I basically just locked in mentally and kept heading towards the Tokyo Skytree.

Again, I probably should have switched to a train that would have taken me directly there.

I did not.

I regretted that choice deeply.

BUT.

I made it to the meeting spot exactly on time somehow. Literally right when my professor said to be there.

Unfortunately, we then discovered we were at the wrong place for our tickets.

 

So we went down.

 

Then back up.

 

Then back down again.

 

The true Tokyo Experience apparently.

 

While we were waiting in line, I got to talk with a few classmates about the temple visit, which was really nice.

The glass floor section at the Skytree was wild. I didn’t get a picture because it was so crowded, but that’s okay. Strangest part was, I wasn’t nauseous standing on it like I usually am because of heights. Honestly, I think the calmness I felt at the temple carried over. (What was that quote about there is not fear when there is faith?)

The trip back to the station afterward felt incredibly long, but I also got to see a bunch of cute kids playing in indoor playgrounds and spotted what I think was a leopard gecko in a shop window, so it was fun at least. 

Eventually I made it back to the hotel and collapsed for a little while before convincing myself to go get dinner.

I couldn’t find the place I originally looked up online, but I did find a really good burger place about a block from the hotel, so the mission was still a success.

Then, to finish off the night, I went back to the little game shop near the hotel.

A couple came in while we were playing, and I ended up inviting them to join us, which somehow resulted in them buying the game too - exactly like I did a few days ago.

Honestly, it was a really fun way to end the night. Just cards and conversation for a few hours.

I also learned about a game called Bidder Battle, which sounds hilariously fun and now I kind of want to find it.

And somehow, all of this has also inspired me to maybe actually try making an English (maybe English/Japanese, just to nod towards the game and place that inspired it) version of a card game that would be really funny. 

…though I should probably focus on my research first. Probably.