Quick Hits

THE PLANE RIDE -- I sad next to David, from San Francisco, who is blind. I didn't realize this at first, so when I arrived at my row, and I had to get to the window seat when he was in the aisle, I thought it odd that he did not even try to make room for me or offer to get up. And was was he doing with that thing on his lap? It was some kind of machine ... a tape player? He was wearing headphones, and every few seconds, the machine would click, or he would say something to himself. Not sure ... I was trying not to stare. Oh ... and what was that thing folded up in the pouch of the seat in front with the red ball on it? And why did a flight attendent breif him on the exits, which she said was required by the FAA? Then it hit me. After exchanging hellos, his hand brushed acorss the screen on the seat in front of him. And he said, "Oh, they have screens here huh?" Blind. Right. Idiot! I should have figured that one out sooner. After all, before anyone boarded, a blind man was led onto the plane. I'll just say I was tired.

NARITA EXPRESS -- This is one way to get from the airport to inner Tokyo. It costs about $30 and it was not too hard to find a ticket counter or the correct platform. There are plenty of signs in English, and to be sure, I double checked by asking other riders or station staff if I was in the right place.

RENTAL CELL PHONE -- I ordered a rental cell phone via the Internet when I was back in Oregon, and I had it shipped to a post office at the airport. It was very easy to find the correct post office and the phone was waiting for me. Once at the Narita Express platform, it proved useful to call the person I was meeting in Tokyo. Overal, I am glad I have the phone. I have been going around a lot on my own, and without the phone, I would not be able to coordiate meetups with people.

SHINJUKU - The biggest train station in Tokyo and a major disctirct for shopping, business, and risky nightlife. Because I learned how to kind-of navigate this place, and how to get here from where I was staying, it became my main meeting place in Tokyo. I did not really do any shopping here, but I did browse some electronics stores and clothing stores. Lots of interesting fashion choices, including mens coats with furry, puffy collars. A friend of mine said he likes the style. All I can say is that the puffy stuff feels like it would be warm.

TODAY - I am going to, you guessed it, Shinjuku, with all of my luggage, to meet my friends from Toyo University. These were students in yet another conversation group. I will hopefully go from Shinjuku to Tokyo Station where hopefully I will find a place to store my luggage until the evening. At 11 p.m. I will be back at the station to go to the meeting place for my overnight bus to Nagoya. The six hour trip will hopefully be marked by sleep. I will be in Nagoya at about 6 a.m., and, as far as I know, too early to meet any friends. So I will probably wait it out there until somebody can come grab me. Who knows.

FINALLY - Send money at once.