bathroom confusion

Admittedly, it is not initially clear as to which way one is supposed to face when making use of a Japanese toilet.  I, however, never thought to sit on it!  eeewwww!

The hood in reality is much closer to the ground that it appears in this drawing and I find it hard to believe that people actually sit on it!

Hint: To avoid finding yourself in this uncomfortable situation, avoid the public toilets in parks and look for the sign on the door that reads "Western Toilet."

Mata ne,
Melissa

caution: foreign cyclist

Yesterday I got pulled over by a cop.  On my bike.  For making a "suspicious U-turn."  I repeat, on my bike.

Hilarity ensued. 

The situation went something like this:

I go the wrong direction down an unfamiliar street on my way to meet Jeff.  I realize I am going the wrong way and turn around.  Someone behind me says konnichiwa.  I think he is simply saying hi to someone he knows on the street (people generally do not say hi or acknowledge others on the street unless they see someone they know).  Bike Cop 1 approaches from behind while his partner, Bike Cop 2 positions his bike across the sidewalk in front of me forcing me to stop. 

Bike Cop 1 begins speaking to me very quickly in a language I do not understand.  I tell him I don't understand Japanese (in Japanese).  He asks me my name (in Japanese) and I respond.  He asks me (in Japanese) if this is my bike.  I tell him it is.  He asks for my gaijin card (an ID for foreigners) which I produce.  Bike Cop 2 gets on the walkie talkie to confirm if this is in fact my bike.  By this time a crowd has gathered.

Bike Cop 1 continues to speak to me in Japanese.  Only words I understand in the five minute conversation: bike, turn, name. I call Jeff. 

Jeff speaks with Bike Cop 1 on the phone.  Words I understand from this conversation: turn, wife, I'm sorry.  He hands the phone back to me.

Jeff explains the suspicious turn situation.  Bike Cop 1 and Bike Cop 2 bow and apologize to me, commenting on the bike parking sticker from the gym on my bike.  We all pedal away confused. 

Mata ne,
Melissa

good view, great martini

When Aaron, Jeff and I were on our quest for a view of Mt. Fuji from Tokyo after our failed attempt at a good glimpse up close, we took several ear-popping trips to the highest floors of almost every tall building in west Shinjuku.  Many of these buildings are fairly unspectacular themselves. 

We did, however, visit one building which may be a little more exciting to the viewing public.  The Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel.  It's where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's characters meet, and where the New York Bar is, where Bob Harris sips his Suntory and one can see the Shinjuku Skyline. 

Normally, ¥1600 is a bit steep for a drink, but I ordered the martini, and let me tell you, it was worth every penny.  Do not, DO NOT, order a martini anywhere in Japan unless it is in the New York Bar.  Pay the premium and sip slowly while enjoying the view of my new city.  Take the risk somewhere else and you will be disappointed.

The bar was quite dim, but we took a few flashless photos (lest we appeared to be tourists - along with EVERYONE else in the bar) to document the evening. 

 

Tip: Enjoy the New York Bar before 8 p.m.  After this time, they'll sour your martini with a ¥2000 per person cover charge.

 

See that very small bowl of nuts and wasabi peas on the table?  It was free.  You bet we ate five of them.  Had to make up for the ¥1600 drinks somehow.

Mata ne, 

Melissa

Editor's note:  Jeff did not change his outfit during our visit to the bar.  He was wearing the blue jacket over the plaid shirt, even though you can't tell that at all from the second picture.

lost in translation

I'm watching Lost in Translation right now.  We went to Tsutaya (about 10 million times better than Blockbuster) to get it today which took forever since I'm sure there is an organizational system but no one knows what it is (about a thousand times worse than Blockbuster in that respect).

This movie is my life.  You know, except for the whole befriending a movie star thing.  And the absentee husband. But all the Japan stuff.  ALL TRUE. 

Come see for yourself.

mata ne,
melissa

editor's note: jeff hates this movie because scarlett johansen is "a spoiled brat" and bill murray is condesending.  i tried to tell him that was bill murray's shtick but he wasn't hearing it.