Japan

We had SO much fun in Japan! Marisa and I traveled independently with 4 other girls and definitely enjoyed ourselves. We finally, after a tremendous struggle, obtained Japanese rail passes in China and were able to take the bullet train to the cities we desired to see in Japan. The bullet train is the fastest train in the world, looks particularly like a sideways spaceship, and features reserved seating much like those I pass by in 1st class on your average airplane. The MV docked in Kobe for 2 days, sailed for 2 days, and then docked in Yokohama for 2 days. However, most of us decided to find our own transportation within Japan for the middle 2 days since we didn’t have class on the ship and we were able to see so much more.

We docked in Kobe and spent our first day hanging out in the city and finding our first of many delicious sushi meals. The second morning we took a train to Hiroshima to see the Memorial Peace Museum. We had lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant (sitting on the floor) overlooking a quaint little river and beautiful cherry blossoms. That evening we took the train to Kyoto and went to a “conveyer belt” sushi place where we managed to get ourselves into a little bit of trouble by sending our cameras on video mode along the conveyer belt which led them into the kitchen. After that we rented out a karaoke cubicle and had a fantastic time. That morning we explored Kyoto and witnessed the gorgeous cherry blossom trees that make Kyoto the cultural center of Japan. That night we took the train to Tokyo and experienced a Japanese baseball game. I’d have to say it was similar to American baseball, just fewer people and MUCH more enthusiasm. The next day we had an amazing hamburger lunch at the cutest little bistro, went shopping for a bit, and then headed to the Harajuku district. The fashion in Japan, Tokyo specifically, was incredible. The men all had on business suits, though I always saw them on the streets so I have no idea when they actually went to work, much like the children in school uniforms who never seemed to be in school. But the women dress akin to a cross between Gossip Girl and Barbie. They are all so tiny, they all wear heals though none of them can properly walk in them, and it looks as if they just took ¼ of all the clothes they own and layered it all on at the same time… but manage to look so chic! Our last day we spent the morning in Tokyo, saw Tokyo tower, then traveled to Yokohama to meet our ship.

I must make note of a very pleasing aspect of Japan. While the Chinese deem it necessary and proper to put a porcelain hole in the ground that you have to squat over with no accompanying paper and call it a toilet, the Japanese take things to a whole new level. I’m talking heated, sometimes vibrating seats, soft music, and pleasant air freshener. Definitely an upgrade, they’re doing great things with their technological advancement.

The past 4 countries have been utterly exhausting, with only 2 days between each one, and those 2 days being consumed with class and assignments. We are now in for a 9-day stretch before a short break in Hawaii and while I’m happy to have a chance to rest right now, I’m more than positive that I will be sick of ship life in…. about 36 hours.

Tomorrow is Easter and the next day is… Easter again. I still can’t conceive of the idea of the International Date Line, but for some reason we have two April 12ths. Hope it’s a good day, because I get to live it twice!