Waking up in Tokyo

So the sun rises here right now at 5:30 am. One morning I’d like to get up super early and take a walk. It would be quiet and much cooler.
It’s hot and humid here right now. But they have all kinds of cooling accoutrements. My favorite is the vest with fans inside. And I saw a guy on the escalator with one.
There is a great 7-11 around the corner and I got an Egg salad sandwich, iced coffee, and “coffee jelly” for breakfast. I’m working my way through the extensive selection they have of iced coffee. The intense espresso style that I like is unsweetened ( I like it sweet) and the coffee with milk is too mild for my taste.
Coffee jelly is my new favorite thing. It’s like a thick coffee jello with cream top. Oh my.
I’m getting ready for my day and watching an Anime story on tv. It’s about a cute little Japanese bobtail kitty that an old lady finds and brings in. Whenever danger strikes Cute Kitty turns into this gigantic wolf like thing that kicks ass. It’s awesome!
I woke up sore as shit this morning. At one point yesterday, I had to carry my suitcase up a steep flight of stairs in the metro. But a hot shower, Advil and morning stretching has helped.
It’s Sunday, and I think I’m going to the large train station close to me, Ueno. There are some good stores I wanted to check out.

So it’s almost 3pm now. I made my way to Ueno and found a store my friend Lindsey had mentioned, and I wanted to check out. It was amazing. I looked around at some other places too. I don’t have the urge to buy everything I see, as I know I can always go back.
But let me tell you. It’s HOT here. At one point I was outside and my phone said it was 98 degrees. I brought lightweight items that are moisture wicking and cover me too. But when you are walking in the city, with no breeze or trees, Wow.
I have a shrug that is UV protecting and covers my arms and chest. I ducked into a 7-11 to buy a light weight UV umbrella and a bottle of their version of Gatorade. It’s called “Pocari Sweat” and it’s my new favorite drink here.
Another issue I’m having, is I want to be respectful and cover my tattoos, so I’m wearing long sleeves. I’m having fun seeing what the Japanese women are wearing to cover themselves. Lots of UV sun sleeves, hats, things covering their face and umbrellas.
I walked down an outside “shopping street”. But it was geared towards tourists. Lots of cheap stuff, and people standing outside of overpriced restaurants shouting “We have English menu!” Lots of Chinese tourists and Westerners.
My neighborhood is residential and I’m having fun looking at all the small doors that lead up to tiny apts, and imagining what the look like. It’s super quiet here. Then only 10 minutes away is the chaos. I enjoy both.
By around 1 pm; I was ready for lunch, a nap, a respite from the heat, and a shower. So I took the subway and headed home. I could have walked, but a few minutes rest in an air condition subway car sounded great.
On the way, I passed a small place selling prepared take away food. There were a couple of people in the back preparing the food, but the front of the place was entirely self service. You rang up what you chose, bagged it and took it away. I laughed. What a nice trusting culture.
So I’ve eaten, and started watching another Studio Ghibli movie- Kiki’s Delivery Service.
I will go back out around 5ish when it’s cooler.

I napped until about 6 pm. The heat really takes it out of you. I took about a 15 minute walk to a neighborhood called Asakusa. It has a huge famous shrine, lots of small eateries, plenty of places for the tourists to spend their money, and a Don Quixote. I discovered Don Quixote last trip. It’s like Walmart but intensified. It’s also the best place to find skin care products, snacks, luggage, souvenirs, etc. It was packed, but I enjoyed walking around. I wasn’t as overwhelmed as last time, and I didn’t buy anything. Just did a scouting mission. They are open 24 hrs a day, so I’ll probably go early in the am.
The route Google maps took me on my walk was through the quieter small streets, off the main drag. No cars really. Lots of bicycles, a few motor scooters and people walking. It’s all residential, small apts, condos, lots with garages, and everyone has a bicycle. And I’m just blown away when you get a little ways away from the big streets, it gets so quiet. It’s very peaceful. Remarkably peaceful. This is what my brain and heart were asking for.
A lot of recycle is out, they are very good with that. And it’s all so darn tidy.
And I feel very safe. It was about 8:30 when I was walking home. I’ve got my head on a swivel as always. I walked down an alley and a woman was taking out her trash. I scared her more than she scared me, lol.
Walking home wasn’t my original thought. I wanted to take a quick train, but what Google was telling me and the train station info were not adding up. And I knew better to get on a train not going the right way.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do tomorrow. After today, I think it’s better to be up and out way earlier. Walk and enjoy the city when is cooler. Then when it starts to heat up, head back inside for lunch and a rest.Meer informatie