"Lucky day!"

I really need to be better about writing this blog, because when I finally sit down to write it I have too much to tell. I'll keep setting my sights on once a day but no promises. :)

Yesterday was probably the least eventful day I've had since I got here. I went to school and participated in many different lessons. I even got to sit in on a Kanji class!  After that I came back to the hotel, had 7-11 dinner and everyone was calling it a night so I did too. 

A couple of people have expressed shock and disbelief that in this land of delicious food I would be eating at 7-11. Here's why:

Hotdogs slowly rolling in their own crapulence, this is not. :)  also, it's terrifically priced!  But enough about that, I need to start talking about today because there's a lot to get to. 

We started the day off by going to the Shinagawa city offices where the board of education and the superintendent of schools are.  The building is pretty old and kind of feels like you're stepping back about 50 years. I don't mean that in a bad way. I feel like they've found a system that works for them and if it ain't broke...

This is right outside the offices and can kind of give you a feeling of what I mean. 

When we went inside we were greeted by a standing ovation of the workers in the board of education! I wish I could have taken a picture but that obviously didn't feel appropriate. 

Going in to Superintendent Nakajima's office I was as nervous as if I were about to have a very important job interview. You could just feel the gravitas of this man and it only got more intense as you got closer. We were representing our country, our city, and the 30 year old sister city relationship and we didn't want to do anything to mess that up. 

Luckily, Nakajima was super friendly and welcoming, just like everyone else here!  They brought us tea and he gave us presents:

A black/red/green/blue pen/pencil

And a swan he said was made by "handicapped" children. 

A truly remarkable man. We posed for a group photo (Nakajima is between caroline and me, the other man is Is the assistant superintendent and a fine gentleman as well) and then moved on to the Shinagawa International Friendship Association's office which is in the building right next door. 

At this point it was about 11:30 and everyone else had to go back to work....  Everyone but ME!!  :). My school is doing examinations for two days and I was told that I would just be in the way if I were there. I took this opportunity and ran with it!!

In my down time I've been hunting through my lonely planet Tokyo guide book for things to do and I picked a random district and went for it. My choice: Ginza!!

For those who don't know, Ginza is Tokyo's Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills, and Champs-Élysées.  There is incredible wealth here but mingled in between it all are shops, restaurants, and palaces that have been here for hundreds of years. 

I successfully navigated the subway (which is still surprisingly challenging for me) and immediately headed for Hibiya-Kōen. This has to be the most beautiful city park I have ever seen in my life. I won't say any more. Just look:

Kitty!!  What are you doing?!  Oh I see, protecting us for the deranged onions that sometimes prowl around. Or at least that's what I'm assuming this sign is telling me:

After that I visited Hakuhinkan Toy Park and bought presents which I can't show you here for obvious reasons. But here's the bag:

After this I decided I should check out the older side of Tokyo and found my way to a quaint little shop called Takumi which has been here for more than 60 years. 

This picture doesn't really do it justice, but the place was filled with gorgeous antique ceramics and textiles.

I had my fill of "old" Tokyo and wanted some "new" Tokyo so I went to the Sony building. The first four floors are basically an exhibition hall for all their latest tech. 

Again, these pictures don't really do the place justice. Lets just say the gorgeous young ladies speaking perfect English had me awfully close to dropping $16,000 on this 65 inch 4k tv. Luckily, I got out just in time. 

My last stop in Ginza was Itoya paper crafts.  It was filled with handmade paper, journals, notebooks, handkerchiefs, fans, etc.  Sadly, this is the only picture I took inside. 

At this point I was getting a little tired and had to head back but I had to stop and get one of my new favorites. I'm not sure what its called but its friend, filled with curried meat, and cost about $1. 

What a day!!  Every one brings new exciting things around every corner and I love just jumping in not knowing what I'll see next. For instance, this: the most adorable frigging thing you can imagine. 

Yes, I asked permission to take this photo and yes I'm packing her and the dog in my suitcase and bringing them home with me.