Tokyo-Lost, and Lost in Translation

Yesterday, I left the hostel early to go to the Tsukiji, the fish market here in Tokyo. You can go very early and wait for the tuna auctions, which happen at around 5:00 am-I didn't go that early. I knew that folks can walk around the actual market at around 10:00 am, and view all of the action, but when I got there, I found the market was closed Wednesday, so I just walked around at the various restaurants, shops. I found a guy selling sushi out of a little stand, and had some 5 pieces for around $10.00. The Japanese for the most part are incredibly honest, I thought I was done after 3 pieces and he said two more are coming. The sushi was delicious.

After wandering around for a little more, and having a cup of freshly made coffee out of a french press, I believe, i walked a few blocks over to the next area of town-which is called Ginza. Ginza has a lot of fancy stores, which I walked around. i saw a store called Nissan Crossing-which is a car showroom, showing the new Nissan Electric car, and small toy models of various old Nissans. There was even a Nissan crossing cafe, where you can eat Nissan Crossing Muffins and Donuts.

I went to the world's largest Uniglo showroom, and bought a pair of underwear, and went to a giant toy store. Here they had a huge race course with miniature cars on the racing around, all sorts of models-it was 5 stories of toys, it was fancy.

I was exhausted-but I wanted to get back to the hostel early-to meet others. It was Karaoke Night at the cruise ship hostel. After the first few nights-I haven't been spending much time here (i have been out late in Tokyo-not returning till' 10 or 11)-so I wanted to engage in an activity and meet others.

Karaoke started out sort of slow and boring as it usually does. A few girls we're singing who we're quite good. This reminded me of a film that took place (A) with Karaoke, and (B) also in Tokyo-Lost in Translation. But Bill Murray was bored at the Grand Hyatt. I was at the Emblem Hostel.

As the night continued, beer started flowing, a couple brought whisky down from their room, and the singing got more and more spirited. I sang "Never gonna give you up" by Rick Astley with three others.

Eventually, we went out for ramen at around midnight at a place around the hostel, and then went back to the hostel.