Today the first thing we did was check out of our first hostel and set out to find the second one. The first one did not have space aside from the one night, but I am happy it didnt! The second one is SOOOOO much nicer. It is more Japanesy and the staff is much friendlier. It is called the Tokyo Samurai Hostel and it is such an improvement. It has free internet and the rooms are very clean and modern. I spent tons of money on 20 minute intervals at the previous hostel, it was lame!
On our way to the second hostel we stopped by some places at the market. I saw a flock of Japanese people at a small stand selling these croquet looking things filled with meat. They looked delicious, so Alex and I stopped by. They were making them fresh so we had to wait, but it was nice because we snagged the bench out front. In Japan, walking and eating or drinking is technically considered to be impolite and it is cumbersome anyways, so I was happy to have a place to sit. The croquets came out of the fryer burning hot and Alex suffered some minor injuries. I was also suffered, but the culprit was not hot oil but the deceptively normal looking mustard that everyone was putting on their croquets. I slathered mine and little did I know it was the spiciest/wasabi/horsradish torture condiment in the world. I was thirsty and had no water, and the mustard stuck to every part of my throat. I thought I was going to die. So I standing coughing and trying to wave air ito my mouth and Alex is covered in hot grease. We were quite the spectacle.
Then we saw an interesting antique shop and I got a couple of prints from the 1820's. They look really neat and depict fighting samurais with traditional japanese scenery and housing in the background.
Then we passed another print shop that was more modern. Alex got a cool print of a Japanese style dragon with some kanji script and stuff in the background as a gift from me. It is so darn difficult to find things he likes. I have held up every item in the marketplace for his opinion and he alwayds shrugs and *meh*s me. It is quite disheartening. So when he lit up with interest I decided to buy it for him. I also got him a black adidas shirt that has a gold silkscreen of the same style dragon on it. He has such a bland wardrobe. Today he wore a t-shirt the color of wet concrete and some faded green cargo shorts. Ugh.
After checking into the new hostel we set out for Akihabara once again. Alex wanted some Gundam models, so I took him to a few shops that sell anime paraphenelia. Little did I know that models are not figurines. They are models. Tiny pieces of plastic that you have to assemble. People do this for fun? Weird. He was happy though so whatever.
To top off the Gundam themed adventure we went to the newly opened Gundam Cafe near Akihabara station. The line was discouragingly long when we saw it yesterday, and today it was longer. But I will take Alex anywhere that he doesnt grunt at when I suggest going, so we waited in line. It was nice. Very cool and themed inside and out. I took lots of pictures and will try to upload them asap. I am sorry for the lack of photos, but they will be up as soon as my internet is set up at the house. I MISS THE HOUSE!
Now we are at the hostel and I am hoping Kyle or Taka call and want to hang out again tonight. If not I will take Alex to see Shinjuku and search for a restaurant. All the walking makes me hungry. No phone calls yet :(
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