I think all I did was sleep today o_O;

[rkold]

I think other than a brief stint between 5-10am I spent today sleeping. This is not a good thing. Fortunately, during that brief stint I started the process of editing and uploading Japan pictures so...



For those who don't know, I turned in miles for this most recent trip. Because of that, I was flying into and out of Nagoya a Narita and Kansai didn't have any seats available. I was also flying Business Class, except for one flight between SFO and NY where I had gotten a free upgrade to 1st class. *____* Flying Business Class Internationally means you get to use the Red Carpet Clubs for free. The one in JFK was not so impressive, but the ones in SFO and Japan are rather nice. For one thing you get a plug and free internet in them as well as food and drink. (In Japan they even have serve yourself alcohol, I seriously think they try to get International travelers liquored up now!)


Kira enjoying the plush chairs of SFO

I watched Golden Compass and Enchanted going to SFO and ended up sleeping, reading or using my laptop going to Nagoya since thanks to my "empower" plug I had my laptop for the entire flight. I started my GinoSuzu ficlet but we will see how that goes since I am not the most talented of writers. lol

One of many things I like about Nagoya is the airport is quite small, so going through Customs is a breeze and it didn't take long to change money, get my BRIGHT pink rental keitai, and catch a Meitetsu line train for Nagoya. I'd have to say the Meitetsu line is probably the worst thing about Nagoya. Trying to figure out its train times sucks, its tracks are wonky and about the only thing positive I can say is it is cheap. ^_^;; I mean I took an Express and it made every single freakin stop, what is express about that!?!?! triplepunch was kind enough to let me stay with her and in thanks I got her addicted to YuGiOh the Abridged Series brought her American food foods one can't easily get in Japan. Her apartment was way larger than I expected and despite her warning about her shower being evil it really wasn't so bad. (Except it makes everything too warm and I got a case of low blood pressure, but at least it gives off warm water!) The next day, she let me pick what we did so we went to the Nagoya Volks so I could start my stamp card and I wanted to get a temple stamp. So we made our way to Osu Kannon temple for this. :D

Yeah for dorky hats!




Mariya and Kira at the Nagoya Volks


Kira likes sakura


And being silly...

We walked around a lot, I broke Passover, and tried to go to Mandarake but failed however we did make it to the Animate, or at least one of them. I was amazed at how close it was to the station (which stupidly had me going back to it pre-leaving Japan >>; ) and got my two SCC books. We ended the first part of the night with an hour of karaoke

which Kira enjoyed despite me not singing his character song :P

We then met up with misspaulette who I promptly got addicted to YuGiOh the Abridged Series.. in America. XD;

Saturday the 3 of us left around noon for Tokyo. We checked into my hotel which sadly took a while to find since I had stupidly packed my Tokyo Atlas in one of my suitcases I'd takyuubined from Nagoya airport. ~.~ (But once you knew where the hotel was, it was extremely convenient to several subway stations and Tokyo eki!) My room was tiny but well organized and the price was quite nice. We then went to their ryokan in Ueno and they settled in before we went shopping, in Iekbukuro. :D Paulette and Sue spent a lot of time shopping in the Ikebukuro Closet Child, and I not being that into punk or goth-loli fashion (yes, I like wearing my boring preppy look :P ) went to Mandarake and K-books to look for gay porn. Sadly, I didn't buy as many books as I should have as I had no idea how popular YuGiOh would prove to still be. I did get a few books, discovered finding used Bakura/Ryou is nigh near impossible, and got the most amazing Fujicest doujinshi with a short by Team Up/Kei Natsuki where Yuuta had long hair, an apron on and was a housewife cooking. It just made me so incredibly thrilled. <3

We went back to Paulette and Sue's ryokan to meet Carol (Teraya-chan) who I thanked for getting my pre order for Bianka at the Kyoto Dolpa. I was also pleased to find out that Carol is mostly vegetarian, which meant I was not the only person with dietary restrictions in the group. We decided on the Pastel in the OIOI building and I think Pastel is now my favorite Japanese chain. The prices are reasonable and there is always something I can eat. Plus the cakes are lovely! :D I also have discovered my new love for Dean and Deluca thanks to Japan. I always felt their NY store was overpriced and just not that interesting, but in Japan... oh in Japan they are just wonderful. For 735 yen I can get a delicious fresh sandwich on a baguette and there will not be any mayo on it! <3 <3 <3 Post dinner, we went our separate ways since the next day was Dolpa and while fun Dolpa is always exhausting. ^^;

Comments

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Aww but that is what Ikebukuro is all about, gay doujinshi XD; I was actually quite good on that front and didn't buy so much, I think. >>;

I adore Dean and Deluca now lol Their sandwiches are a life saver though I am sad they did not have their vegan bentos this trip.

[rainedrops.livejournal.com]

*o* First class! That sounds awesome! One day maybe I can do that too XD~
More pretty pictures =D

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Well, it was mostly Business class XD; I only got First class on one of the 4 legs. But Business is considerably nicer than economy and I think it was definitely worth the miles I turned in.

Expect lots more pictures, I think I took over 500, though some are repetitive or didn't come out well. >>;

[jougetsu.livejournal.com]

Business and First Class, lucky you! ^__^

The temple looks just gorgeous and Kira is adorable!

got the most amazing Fujicest doujinshi with a short by Team Up/Kei Natsuki where Yuuta had long hair, an apron on and was a housewife cooking.

:D That sounds like six kinds of awesome right there.

Hope the jet lag wears off quickly! It's good to have you back home...in America!

[rkold.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like Kira! :D Business is just so nice on an international flight well OK on a cross US one as well, since the portable DVD players are just too awesome for words. >>;

The doujinshi is so awesome, I might scan it, I'm not sure. I have to scan some Geass to horrify people and I'm tempted to scan some of my YuGiOh... in America XD;

[bramblyhedge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing! *_*

(I like your hat. [/random])

[rkold.livejournal.com]

Thanks I got it at Uniqlo a few years back for $10 XD; I sunburn very easily and I have a tendency not to put on sunscreen so the hat is a lifesaver!

More pictures are to come >>;

[mec]

I got your postcard today - thank you! *hugs* I'm glad to see my newfound Johnny's obsession has left such a lasting impression on you. ^_^ One day I will eventually remember to send postcards of my own.

We decided on the Pastel in the OIOI building

Ah, Pastel! I must go find it in July. I need somewhere yummy to take an American friend for lunch.

[rkold.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Yeah!!!! I know a bunch of people got theirs yesterday including my family! :D I was pretty impressed with myself I managed to mail them all from Tokyo before I got the shinkansen and didn't need to write them from the shink.

If you go to Ueno, there is a Marui (OIOI) right near the station and they have a Pastel there. :D

I loved the vegan places I tried too in Harajuku but they're not everyone's taste. I also really liked "To the Herbs" in Harajuku and "Bellini's" in Ikebukuro.