Back with a Touch of Jetlag

I know, I know, it's been a minute. I had grand intentions of publishing updates here but truthfully, I was just too focused with being present where I was. Where did I go, you ask? You'll have to scroll down to find out. What I can say is that it involved a couple of long haul flights, complete opposite timezones, and a whole lot of mask wearing inside and outside. For the the past two weeks it felt like I had gone back into 2020, but with a heck of a lot more people roaming the streets and a couple Covid tests here and there.

In fact, we were required to take Covid tests prior to our flights to all of our destinations, including coming back home to Canada. But no one ever really checked them. Were they just for show? Were they checked somewhere else in the airline ticketing system? We'll never know. One thing is for certain, Covid didn't slow down anyone while we were away, even if we were in one of the considerably more riskier parts of the world. OK enough hints, I was in Asia.

This week's issue is a 4 minute read:

🛩 Landing in the land of the rising sun

🍽 Eating in the land of the rising sun

🎎 The people of the land of the rising sun

Everyone Loves Japan

When you land in Tokyo-Haneda airport, after you've walked by walls of Super Mario characters, you're greeted by "Welcome to Japan" signs with none other than Hello Kitty, clearly setting the tone for your visit - whether you like Hello Kitty or not! And almost right away, while you become lost in translation, you're introduced to a multitude of efficiencies that are par for the course in Japan with the very first one being the subway.

If it wasn't for Google maps, the above map would be the death of a lot of people, including a lot of locals. But because of Google maps, this thing is a breeze to navigate. Even locals were constantly on their phones checking Google maps in the subway stations. The beauty of landing in Haneda Airport (as opposed to Narita airport - both being in Tokyo) is that it's like half an hour by subway to the heart of the city...you just need to bring your luggage with you on the subway, minor detail.

If you like food, you will like Japan

Whilst eating in Japan, pointing at stuff tends to do the trick even though a lot of places have either an entire English menu or enough English to get by. That said, Google translate is always a useful option. In the worst case scenario, the server draws out a fish, pig, and chicken and you end up ordering whale sashimi. Spoiler alert, whale sashimi is definitely an acquired taste - it's like gamey and fishy all at once.

One thing I learned: when in doubt take an alleyway and you're bound to find something interesting. Tokyo has so many alleys that you will actually want to go down when it's dark at night because typically an alley is where you'll find small (5-7 people large) restaurants and bars where you sit shoulder to shoulder drinking and eating whatever the chef makes right in front of you. One the most popular is Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) in Shinjuku. Minus the line-ups to get into places, you can spend an entire afternoon and night there just eating and drinking and still not make it through the alleyway.

In case you were wondering, the food in Japan is so damn good <-- that's my food review for the country.

It was the people for me

Being from Canada, we're often known for being some of the nicest people in the world, always apologizing and being friendly or whatever. I'm here to tell you Canada is nothing compared to Japan. I used to think Animal Crossing (this game) was this made up utopian world of friendly characters who could do no wrong and then I realized they're all based on Japanese people! Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but you really need to see it for yourself. The smallest interactions between people are full of smiles, laughter, bowing, waving, and any other friendly thing they can think of. The craziest part is they have mastered smiling with their eyes as you're required to wear a mask indoors and outdoors everywhere you go.

Lastly, it wouldn't be Japan without an experience you can't get anywhere else in the world. Spinning the roulette wheel for all the things I did, I landed on...A PIG CAFE. Yes - a place where you go in and micro pigs (some definitely a bit bigger) walk around, squeal, and try to sit on your lap. No really, you put a blanket on your legs and the pigs come and fall asleep on you. Then you sit there wondering why they don't feel as soft as they look. Also, technically it's a cafe so you get a drink with your entry but as you can tell, how does one begin to try to drink something in this setting??

Lost in Translation - but it's getting so much better

When I was in Tokyo in 2009 I felt super intimidated by the massive buildings, the language barrier, and the general madness. This time around it felt much more accommodating - partially thanks to Google translate (they might as well sponsor this post at this point), and partially because Japan truly is an accommodating country, if you'll let them in. They've been a society that, although has let Western influences in over the years, hasn't given up its identity and so when you go, you really are in a world like no other. It's so common for people to sit and eat by themselves, adults gawk over Pokemon toys alongside kids, and pretty boys have their pictures smattered over billboards for popular host bars. Don't get me started on how clean the bathrooms are in Shinjuku station, which is arguably the busiest train station in the world. This country truly is worth the visit.

Damn, I said I wouldn't let this turn into a travel blog. And here we are...

*still not a travel blog