The adventures of a Swedish Squid

Been a while. Going to have to split this into several posts methinks. >.<

For starters I was in Akihabara with Robin and Malin. Malin bought a camera and I got my grubby paws on a new laptop, which is working out really well now that I’ve circumvented the language settings (can’t change display language normally with Win7 HP). ^^

Also went to a job interview in Shinjuku for some sushi place, but turned it down in the end. They wanted me for 8 hours a day Saturdays and Sundays, and I want to actually do stuff in my free time. <.< Also when we went to see the details of the job they changed the location just a few hours before, which made the process of getting there an exercise in frustration. Ah well. 

Today I spent pretty much the entire day walking around Harajuku with Rebecka. Good times were had! We started out with Rebecka showing me around and looking into men’s fashion stores, but it wasn’t long before she had a new pair of shoes instead. :P Lunch consisted of tasty (and unhealthy) crepes. After that I bought myself a pair of shirts and a new pair of pants. But no shoes, which was what I actually needed. <.<

There was also some sort of commotion which stopped the entire street, and people were being squished and storefronts trampled. I still have no idea, but the police broke it up eventually. Walking around we found even more swanky stores and restaurants. After that we took a swing by Yoyogi Park, which is huge, and surprisingly tranquil despite the amount of people going through it. 

On the way home we walked to Shibuya, and saw a farmer’s market and some really strange and creepy statue. And Rebecka was fawning over the major designer’s stores that lined the streets. :P

I’ve also experienced that the Japanese size M is unusually… inconsistent, which I found out when trying out my clothes after I got home. One fits perfectly (striped), the other is just a tad tight. 

After passing the shrine we found a sign that pointed towards a temple (which we didn’t get to before it closed), we found a terrace café with a bloody stunning location. Nice weather, ice tea, nice view. Awesome. ^^ Spent well over an hour there, and we’re definitely going back. 

Continuing along the path towards the temple, we found a detour… as tends to be the case. The winding path was really beautiful, and ended (more or less) at a large stone wall with bits carved out of it. Off to the side was another, larger alcove which was some kind of shrine I’d wager. Also got to use some kanji we learned last week when I read the sign, it said: 立ち入り禁止, which means “no entry”. *Whistles innocently*

After that we went back and continued along the path to the temple. We came down to the mountain and went back into the town a bit before finding it. It had a huge Buddha statue, which was about all we could see above the walls as it was closing. Also didn’t take the path that lead to here you could get a nice view of Mt. Fuji. Ah well, there’ll definitely be a next time. After the sakura season has gotten started proper-like maybe, so I can take even more pictures. ;)

When we got back we went for dinner in China Town, at the ramen place we tend to favour due to the very friendly (and slightly crazy) staff. All in all, a bloody good day. ^^ Squid out. 

Woke up early today to go to Kamakura with Robin (who had barely slept). Tired and hungry on the way to the train, but the really nice weather perked us up. Well at Kamakura station we had a random encounter with Emma and her parents, quite unexpected. :)

After that we had breakfast, then went off down one of the bigger streets and found a rather large shrine. Apparently called Tsurugaoka Hachimangu now that I’ve looked it up afterwards. There were lots of white doves around and plenty of koi fish (we think) in the pond. A few cherry blossoms had marked the start of the season as well. Very beautiful. ^^ There we also ran into four Japanese university students, who’s names I’ve regrettably already forgotten. >.< 本当にすみません、みんな。As part of their English club-activities they were guiding foreigners around in an effort to get to put their English to some more practical use. They explained to us the tiny ritual performed up at the shrine: Apparently 五円 (go en - five yen) is a homophone (pronounced the same) as 御縁 (go en - polite form of the word for “relationship, connection”), so people throw 5 yen in a box in the shrine and make their wish. 

After that we walked around a bit and talked for a good while before having lunch together, after which they had to return to the shrine to continue their guiding and me and Robin went off to go up the mountain paths and enjoy some nature. I really need to start reading up on my Japanese culture, since I have no idea why they really like their foxes.

Picture upload cap reached. To be continued.

Spent the past two days in my room with a needle and thread, fixing up a pair of pants I bought. They were way too small, so I slaughtered the shirt that came with and used it to make them a “bit” larger. Very comfy. ^^

Went for a parkour run today along the harbour, down towards Sakuragicho. The weather is really bloody nice these days. I’m going to melt this summer. >.< Also saw a little kid running along and jumping on the low stone walls in one of the parks. Hopefully I gave him plenty of bad ideas. :P

Today has been a good day! First day of the spring break, and I was woken up by Anna who invited me along to the cake buffet at World Porters. Best breakfast ever. There was plenty of regular food as well, and I ate enough for the entire day. Sun has set quite a while ago now though, so I’m allowed to be hungry again. Going to go buy something to eat after this post. 

Hit the arcade at Cosmo World after that. Took some weird pictures in one those booths, and Anna and Kalle played the weirdest racing game I’ve seen yet. Also, strangest Tetris ever. It warps my mind. >.O I don’t know the significance of the monkeys. We also walked past a “house of horror” of some description. Liked the gargoyle out front that was looking at people passing by. 

Unfortunately the weather was kinda crap. Hopefully it’ll clear up for tomorrow so I can go have a proper run again. \o/

Other than that I’ve been suffering from back ache and started a new training schedule, which is working quite well. The extra core training helps my back a lot. And as always, I’ve been generally sleep deprived. Though school is coming along just fine.

Oh, and I’m going shopping in Harajuku with Rebecca at some point during the spring break. Yes, I promise pictures. It will be interesting to see the fashion district of Tokyo… And how I’ll look when Rebecca is done with me… :P

Now my stomach is making itself known again, so I’ll need to find something with which to quell the beast. Catch you later.