Cherry Blossoms and Harajuku

The best day ever!! I don't even think I can write about all of it. Wandered around Komagome (my neighborhood). Had breakfast at McDonalds. Bought a memory card for my camera. Found some great stores around my apartment (groceries, etc.). Found some cherry blossoms (this is the famous cherry blossom season - they're everywhere and beautiful) then found some sort of outdoor festival gathering thingy. There were a bunch of little tents with different food, cotton candy, fair games. There was a little band/ensemble playing. It was really cool - had some noodles. Then took the train to Harajuku. (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html) I LOVE Harajuku. It's so cool and there's so much to see and do. I saw the young people dressed in there crazy garb. Went to a Yoyogi park - found a temple and thought that's all there was to it. It was really pretty and saw a couple of wedding parties. Left the park and went down the main street. Lot's of highend stores. There were also a lot of foreigners. I took tons of pictures. I really enjoyed it and want to go back and eat when Nathan comes to town. So many cool stores. I found a huge interdenominational english speaking church that I can come back to on Easter. When I came back to the park to go back to the station I kind of followed the flow of the people to another entance to the park. As I walked along, I noticed that there were people here and there having picnics with beer and wine. There were also street performers (including some kind of 50's/Elvis dance off). Once I got further in the crowds got thicker and there wore more and more picnics. And then there were so many cherry blossoms. There were literally thousands of people - everywhere. It was like a huge outdoor festival. Alot of beer too. Kind of like a cherry blossom tailgate. I wished I could have gotten in on someones picnic blanket. But it was fun to walk around with the flow of people. There were all age groups including kids. And the weather was gorgeous. It was really awesome. I got pictures but I could have taken so many more had my batteries not run out. I may go back next Sunday to see if there's anything like this again. Either way, the park would be fun. That took me to about 5pm and I took the train back to Komagome (the station at Harajuku was packed - shoulder to shoulder).

I did so much shopping tonight. I tried to get all the basic stuff I would need. I got eggs, tuna, edamame and jam (and I splurged on some organic brown rice and some wheat bread in Harajuku earlier). I walked around some more to an area I hadn't been and I found the best store!!! They have all sorts of food from home. Natural peanut butter, granola, corn flakes, taco shells and seasoning, doritos, nature valley granola bars. I got some peanut butter and cereal but I will definitley be going back. They charge alot for things but some things are worth it.
I tried to cook tonight. Not easy in my room. I made egg and brown rice. It would be good except the "salt" I bought isn't normal salt. I'm not sure what it is but it tastes like crap. Oh well, not a bad first effort. Oh, I forgot to mention that last night, Laguna Beach was on TV. There isn't normally english stuff on. I couln't believe it. It was subtitled. (For my parents or anyone else who doesn't know, Laguna Beach is an MTV reality). I actually watched it even though I probably saw the episode over a year ago becuase it was in english.

Tomorrow is the first day of real work. Not sure what it will hold. I know there is a group meeting and a group lunch. It will be interesting to see what it all involves. I will get to see Fujino-sensei for the first time so that's cool.