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All
go in Tokyo!! - by Vera
Sunday 10 October 04- It was non-stop, from the moment
I got off the plane. I made my way to the hostel from the
airport using the underground, which thankfully I managed
quite successfully. As soon as I got off at my stop which
was Azabu Juban, a lively nightlife
area of Tokyo, I thought yes
this is my kinda place. The hostel was not quite up to it
though, dark, cramped and dingy, but saying that it was mega
cheap!
I dropped my stuff and within 15 minutes I was out the door.
I met up with meetURplanet member- lovely Asako,
who took me to the fashionable, young, trendy, fun, funky
part of Tokyo (Shibuya), where
I happened to be part of a group exhibition (I am a visual
artist). She showed me the location of the gallery and then
we went to explore Shibuya. 'We can go to Harajuku'
she said, 'but what about your jet lag, you must be so tired
after a 12 hour flight'.
'Forget about that' I said, 'lets Go!!!' Soon it got dark,
the atmosphere was even more electric at nightfall and I didn't
want to leave!
The reason for this trip. My artwork!
Monday 11 October 04- The next day was spent in the
more traditional Kamakura, which
was wonderful. I met up with meetURplanet member Mie,
who is a real kewl chic and she showed me around the temples,
shrines and Great Buddha etc. There were a lot of rituals
that people took part in, like washing money to get rich…Ha
Ha. I laughed, but if it works why not! I went back to the
hostel quickly got ready and it was out the door again, this
time to the international party town of Roppongi.
Here I met up with meetURplanet member -crazy Stone
and partied the night away (quite literally).
Tuesday 12 October 04- Took a trip outside Tokyo
but was back by evening time to make it for my exhibition
party in Shibuya, which was great. Food, drinks, lots of lovely
artwork by artists, socialising, the lot.
Wednesday 13 October 04- My body was telling me slow
down, the dark, dingy, cramped hostel conditions were starting
to irritate me………. Not for long though, cause
by evening time it was out the door again, this time to the
world famous Shinjuku, the place
everyone pictures when you say Tokyo. Neon lights, night scenes,
the whole lot. Met up with Mie
again who showed me around the neon jungle, we took a break
in an Irish Pub…Yes I did say Irish and not Japanese,
don't ask………..
The nightscape in Shinjuku
Thursday 14 October 04- That was it I thought, I'm
not staying in this hostel any longer! I was about to storm
off when I bumped into meetURplanet member Chika. Wow I thought
she looks amazing, for a mother of two. She took me to Shinjuku
in the daytime and we went to a National Park and had a nice
cup of green tea in a traditional Japanese Tea House, ahhhh
so tranquil (just what I needed) …
Relaxing in the Japanese Teahouse
Friday 15 October 04- Yeah!!! No more dark dingy hostel,
I moved locations. This time I stayed in a lovely traditional
Hotel in Asakusa. Wow, Asakusa
is the place I thought. I spent the whole day buying gifts,
as there were wonderful gift shops, not to mention, Sensoi
Temple, Asahi Brewers, and Asakusajunja Shrine. Evening time
came and no rest for the wicked. I was kindly invited to meetURplanet
member Izumi's New York
style apartment, I had a nice glass of vegetable juice mmmmm.
Saturday 16 October 04- Into the futuristic zone Odaiba,
Rainbow Bridge, palette town and not forgetting Fuji TV headquarters.
Asako, Izumi
and I all got creative decorating our animated stickers that
we took, which are kewl. Left Odaiba, went back to the hotel
and it was another night of partying.
Here I am with a cartoon character!
Sunday 17 October 04- Oops I have to leave my nice
traditional Hotel…Not to worry, I managed to get myself
another place to stay in Asakusa near the riverside. I made
my way there dumped my things and headed out the door to enjoy
a nice boat ride around Tokyo. It was sunny, so the perfect
weather for it. Evening time came and it was Shibuya
time, I had to go to my gallery to do a brief talk on my work,
live on camera!!!
Time to head back to my hotel, I dragged my legs up the Shibuya
stairs as fast as they would walk me. The end of my trip is
near I thought. I'm gonna miss this City and all the kewl
meetURplanet members and that I did……………………………………..
Well until next year at least, when it will be 'all go in
Tokyo' again!
You can view more photo's of myself with members in the photo
gallery, click here.
Submitted:
01 November 2004
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