Konichiwa!

Tokyo! Literally the city that never sleeps. Either they are up partying, eating or working, it is always bright and full of people. We went for Buddha's Birthday. We had a long weekend and our friend Lauren is living there. Sarah was also there! Who would have imagined that the 3 of us would meet up in Tokyo!

At Serendipity bar drinking Ball Ice Serendipity drink!

I didn't realize how different it would be. But, it really was! Tokyo has so many more foreigners and it super expensive. Tokyo is definitely more intense and each neighbourhood was totally different. I found them more beauty conscious than Koreans! (if that is even possible!) They have these photo booths that make your eyes look bigger! Of course we tried it!

Here are the highlights!

1. Eating Nabe: Japanese Hot Pot (soup and guts) very delicious!
2. Going out on the town: Serendipity Bar and Kareoke Kan! We sang the night away!
3. After sending Sarah off, Lauren took us Akihabara - Electric Town! We went into a "Maid Cafe" think PG strip club. You pay the girls who are dressed in maid outfits to play a game or serve you. I played Jenga.. and lost in the last second. (Yes, it was a timed 5 minute game!)
4. Going to Ueno park, we saw temples and walked around. 
5. At night we saw the Sensoji temple! It was stunning! 

Sensoji Temple!

Monday we were off to Enoshima. It is an island off of Tokyo. It is a a beautiful place for hiking and site seeing. No wonder Lauren said you could stay forever there. It was so peaceful and serene. We hiked around and got to see old shops and ended up on the ocean. IT was so nice, all rocks and the waves crashing around us! From there we sealed our love by ringing the love bell at the top of the island! We got to see a Big buddha on Buddha's birthday! This one had a different pose than ours in Cheonan and we got to go inside of it and see how it was built, which of course Jay loved! We went off to Kamakura, where the original capitol was. There were so many temples and we found a  bamboo forest. They were so tall and beautiful. Jay and I made a wish for our friends and families and hung it up for years to come!

Our last day, Tuesday; Jay and I got up at 3:40 am to go see the Tsukiji Fish Market. Let me tell you, I was not looking forward to getting up and was resenting Jay for making me do it.. but we were so glad to do it. It was definitely a site to see. These men come and bring these HUGE tunas and auction them off. The tunas are about the size of baby whales! We got to stand and watch the whole action happen. Then we were able to stroll through the market and we purchased freshly made green tea leaves and which I thought was dulce for my grandpa... which is soup stock.. I tried! We got sushi freshly made and ate happily!  We were back at Lauren's for 8:30 am! We took a nap and met up with Lauren to go to Harajuku.

We were so happy to go and Lauren was extremely welcoming! I am so happy to have the chance to see where she lives and where she works (the local starbucks is her office!) and see the life she has been living! I am so proud and amazed of her doing it and learning the language and making the most of it!  Of course she would, it's Lauren, and anyone who met her would know she does not let a moment of experience past her! She is a true free spirit and loves adventure. I am so lucky to have her as a friend, to learn from and confide in her so many times in my life! To Lauren; Domo Arigato Gosaimas!