Big in Japan

Well, it took a while but I got here! As you all know, I hate getting up early, so the 5 am start required to get to the airport on time was a struggle, but I didn’t complain (for once). As predicted there were tears at the airport, but Peter told me to stop crying as I looked like a panda with all the mascara under my eyes and pushed me into security. Saying goodbye always the hardest part and I was dreading it. The security man asked me if I was ok and I lied and said I was. You’ll be proud to know I continued snivelling in the toilets in Heathrow but I think I am over it now.

Anyway, the flight was fine apart from the silly cow in front of me who reclined her seat into my face about two minutes after we took off. I got her back by hanging out of the seatback as often as I could. It took over 11 hours and I didn’t really sleep so was a bit wrecked by Saturday afternoon when I checked into the hotel, which is just down from this lovely old gate.

As my sister said the new and the old are everywhere in the city – you are walking down a city street and suddenly notice a traditional roof – like this shrine, where people make offerings and you are not allowed stand on the steps:

I was very proud of myself that I found my way around the local area without getting (too) lost. By 7pm I was washed and ready for bed – didn’t even have the energy for a glass of wine, which must be a first! Slept most of the night except for two hours from 1am when I listed to the BBC World Service – my favourite treatment for insomnia.

I headed to Ginza this morning, which is the high end shopping district – McGuire, it would be just your kind of place! They even close the streets to cars on a Sunday to cater for all the lunatic shoppers.
They are funny about shoes and standing on things – I went into the equivalent of Brown Thomas to buy a sports bra (left it in the hot press) where I paid over the odds but beggars can’t be choosers. (Running is big in Tokyo – hope they are ready for me.) I met a lovely girl who showed me into the changing room where I stood on the rug and she immediately corrected me, but nicely, and pulled it back. You must be supposed to take your shoes off before going in. She asked me where I was from but I think she thought ‘Iceland’ as she said ‘oh, very cold!’. Geography aside, they are all very nice here when you go in anywhere.

One other thing they are funny about are toilets, but in a good way. There are public toilets everywhere and are spotless. Was in another centre today, above a train station near the Imperial Palace, and the toilets were like those of a 5 star hotel. But check out the actual loo:

And if you are curious about the buttons down the side, here’s a close up:
It was amazing, heated seat, hot water for the rinsing/bidet facility (which works a treat) and best of all music! Yes indeed when you hit the note symbol the toilet emits the sound of water flowing, loud as you like! At that moment I definitely knew I wasn’t in Ireland any more…

I’m going on so much as I am taking advantage of the free wifi, which I won’t have everywhere, and because I figured out that I can type like normal on the iPad – thanks Nicola for forcing Bannon to get it for me. It’s coming in handy now! I am meeting up with the group tomorrow so will do a bit more exploring by myself tomorrow. I think I will go down to the bar now and see if I bump into Bill Murray. Sayonara….