Well settled and Out and About

Its been two weeks tomorrow since we moved in.

 We've had four notes from the landlord (three about rubbish due dates and one telling us how to correctly install a washing line, as ours was lagging unattractively). We've developed a minimalist cooking style (everything is eaten out of our two bowls, and, when it gets tough, cups). Ramen is amazing, ramen with lemon-beef-tongue is... not so great.  We've also discovered Japanese snacks are amazing, and that's probably to our detriment. In spite of all the walking, the extra eating counters any positive benefits.

What have I learnt? I've learned I can tolerate two days at home before I get really despondent and need to get out. Audiobooks are great for company but do prevent anything productive being done, (darn you Dark Age).

Shopping is fun, and Uniqlo is still the absolute best clothes shop ever. I wanted to take up more physical activity, and unfortunately, lacked the proper equipment to tolerate Tokyo's sauna. Airism is my new favourite thing in clothes. Light, quick-drying and comfy-as, a definite win for the quick powerwalk around the park this morning.

Strangest purchase this week? Egg-Shaped Maracas.
 

These were from the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo in Kiba. I tossed up getting something sensible branded with MOT, but these spoke to my kitsch soul and after spending an afternoon colouring, making paper planes and being a 30 year old child, I could not resist.

I almost bought a rice cooker. I failed miserably at cooking rice last week and in my despair sat up til 2 am reading about 220volt versus 240 volt and whether you can downcovert them to work on Japan's 110volt inthe meant time. Short answer no. Lesson: Migraines in the morning will make me sleep all day and research all evening.

Most beautiful purchase:

These cup and saucer sets from the Ghibli Museum. It was an impulsive purchase - Chris and I each picked one (can you guess whose is whose?) and it was just before we headed to Yokohama for an amazing firework show. So we were gingerly carrying two delicate porcelain china sets in the packed trains from Tokyo to Marina Park.  It was a nerve-wracking exercise.  Spoiler: They made it.

Ghibli museum though blew my mind. I walked in and wow. Its not surprisingly they don't let you take photos, it would not do that place justice. From the stained glass windows to the lampshades, to the humour in every detail. I fell in love and it was just the most wholesome, kind place to be. I hope we get the chance to bring future kids here. It was definitely what childhood should be.

Chris informed me a few days ago that there was a park with a ruined castle about 20 minutes walk from our apartment. I went to go find it this morning, and the park is HUGE. I didn't find the castle, but I did find; a praying mantis the size on my fist, many butterflies, several fishermen fishing, giant fish, two shrines, an amphitheatre, a swan boat facility, a beautiful, cool woods, a spider in the urinal of a ladies bathroom.

Yea the last one was weird to me too. I assumed it was for any kids, but Chris and I went back there tonight and right by said toilets was a gentleman in schoolgirl garb. It was... unsettling. Pic related:

But not the dude we saw.

So I've been out and about a bit, while Chris is at the hospital. Keeping the balance between interesting, affordable and not too enviable has been a bit of work. Luckily Chris has been up for heading up at night.

Shinjuku I've seen a bit more of at night, and it's certainly got the busy city vibe, which I feel we haven't embraced yet. We've eaten at a neat sushi conveyor belt place where we did try eel, and then promptly ginger (way too fishy for us). Chris spotted a neat yakitori place where I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty chicken hearts were, they even have a good chew factor. 

Tomorrow is our last Friday in Tokyo for a while, so it'll be good to go out and see the night somewhere. Saturday is Sunshine City, and Sunday we have a board game meetup in Akihabara - which should be cool to meet some like-minded locals. 

It's late here! There are two new videos, which I haven't advertised because I'm secretly horrified at my video persona, it's not like my self-perception at all. I'll get over myself and you can check them out here:

Cheers:
Holly