The police came for my neighbor today. He had been eating my food, washed the computers (not mine, luckily) with water, and even more than that had soaked floor in his own room in water and seaweed and used his garbage as a toilet.

Read more…

Yesterday and today I ended up in Ginza (Silver Seat - there was a mint here during the Edo era). Ginza was redesigned in the Meiji era to impress the Europeans (I hear, I may be mistaken) and I heard it was very European. Thus, I didn't have much interest in visiting it. However, I went there with my friends after the Halloween bash and really thought it was at pretty interesting place. I decided to go back yesterday, and today, as part of my continuing bridge coverage, I went through it again.

Read more…

Had a rough day with the neighbor - I may write about it later, but I'd rather share some pictures.

I had a great time wandering the city again, taking pictures of the bridges. I feel much better after a few days of a cold, and it was really nice to enjoy the city again. I wish I had a better camera and some talent, because there are a million pictures to be taken of this city. For now, I hope my 3x zoom digital camera and D in junior high school photography class skills will be enough.

Read more…

Today I finally gave in and rented a cell phone. I had to go all the way to Narita airport , $10 each way, but this special bonus price I got was still cheaper than anywhere else. On the way home I fit in so well with the other travellers playing games on my phone.

Read more…

Yesterday friends and I went to a Halloween party at the Foreign Correspondents' Club. It was quite a party - I dressed as a Tengu with a long nose and wings and was unusually popular. Not much chance to "network" with expats, as I spent almost every moment being photographed with a Japanese person. Had fun in any case.

Read more…