These are the days of My Life - Tokyo, Japan, 101st Blog

Well, if you are keeping count it is only about the 90th blog that I have actually posted to Facebook.  The rest are just musing to myself.  Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control.  Take today for example.  I decided to go to the Edno Tokyo History museum and the Sumo museum.   I had been in the area previously but the museums were closed so today was a swift walk and and entertaining morning.  The Edno History Museum was a walk thru the history of Tokyo and of course has a display area of the 1945 air raids during the war.  I was amazed at some of the historical debris and videos that were on display.  I just sat down on a bench when an older gentleman wandered over.  For the most part there are very few foreigners let alone Western European or Americans in Tokyo at this point and time.  Most other countries that I have attended appear to have an expat area where when I arrive I am so overwhelmed by the presence of so may Westerners that i tend to leave almost immediately as they are truly an outspoken and boisterous bunch.  I am not so proud of some of our behavior.  Even those that live in the country as teachers and exchange students appear to be less open to the customs and day to day living of their surrounding...like the local people are their hired staff which they may be but treat them in a very unfriendly way.  Hard to describe but it gives me a uncomfortable, slightly defensive feel for the local people just doing their jobs.  It reminds me of the snobs I have hung out with in the past that are so shallow that it is uncomfortable to go out with them they act so obnoxious.  They are rude and don't even realize it that attitude is so ingrained in their persona.  It is real sad to see it carries over when they travel.

Anyway, as i was just sitting and observing a video, no sound just images which were disturbing this older gentleman comes and sits next to me.  We watch the video to it's conclusion and I just sit there...yeah, I had a tear in my eyes, it was truly disturbing the visual of wars devastation.  The next thing I know the older gentleman took my hand and just held it.  I wasn't uncomfortable. I wasn't embarrassed. I wasn't afraid.  However I was moved.   He didn't say anything and neither did I.  We didn't hurry just sat and cried.  Both of us.  I can only assume that the visual was a emotional to him as it was to me.  He patted my hand after about 5 minutes and got up and walked away.  Wow, nothing like that has ever happen to me before.  Another guardian angel watching over me at a time that I need an emotional connection.

Talk about chance meetings, several days ago i was standing in front of my hostel just hanging out/loitering and the Japanese businessman from across the street came out to talk to me. he speaks English and we just started chatting about his travels to the States.  Well now everyday as I come and go he waves.  Well yesterday as I was heading out I noticed he was working in his garage which is his distribution center for his belt company.  I hesitantly walked over and waved.  he motioned for me to come in and asked me what i had planned for the day.  i explained my days agenda.  He asked what I was eating and I mentioned that I found the little restaurant around the corner which is a takeaway place was very good, inexpensive and convenient.  I told him that i was attempting to eat local foods on my travels and that from time to time being a Westerner wandering from the street I felt a little uncomfortable based on either the prompt response from staff or their hesitance to serve me.  I agree that most western establishments have an English language menu or picture board, that alot of the smaller local establishments only had Japanese menus or for that matter only Japanese signage which for a non-Japanese speaker/reader was challenging.  He knew the restaurant I mentioned and agreed that it had good food, prepared while you waited or some preparded meals. 

He said that if i didn't have dinner plans on Friday that he usually goes to a local family style restaurant and that if I was interested that I could tag along.  I was blown away, one by his kindness and secondly that he would extend such an invitation to a stranger.  I of course immediately said Yes.  so today i have dinner plans with my new friend from across the street.  I can't wait.

Sumo statuary's line that street leading up to the Sumo Arena.  There are no pictures allowed in the museum and it is a very small facility housing the pictures of past Sumo wrestlers that had attained the highest ranking.  There was also a video of past bouts.  The bouts can last all if 15-20 seconds.  Amazing strength and strategy to get your opponent to step outside of the ring or be pushed so that they fall.  Either strategy wins the bout.  There is recently a huge controversy about the throwing of matches that not unlike our WWF is full of more show that strategy.  However the crowds take the sport very seriously.

A beautiful day to stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

Tokyo is a city of old versus new.  The old isn't that old just rebuilt after the war and the new well; like everywhere is springing up all over.

The East Garden of the Imperial Palace is the only part of the Palace ground open to the public.  There are over a thousand different kind of plants.  It is a mini-Central Park.

Moat and stone wall surround the Palace grounds.

Edo-Tokyo History museum.  Kabuki warrior costume.

Kabuki costumes

And this is the real thing sighted on the street out in front of the museum.

Gigantic ceremonial rake used during festivals as they are used to rake in Good Fortune for the person,, business, area.

Back in the haze is Mt. Fuji.  Not sure I will make it any closer this trip but the pic doesn't do the view justice. 

Moving bike track so that although you have to take the stairs, your bike rides up or down based on which sensor is triggered by the bicycle tire.  The track is to the left of the picture.  Very cool.