New Year in Tokyo (bis)

"Long time no see". You had already figured that out anyway… Starting a new term is always -errr- difficult, so not so much time to post any news on the blog. But I try to post on twitter once in a while, like saying "hey, i’m still alive". In fact, the truth is I’m being kinda lazy to write a complete article. The other option is I can’t access my PC. Nevermind… ikimashouuu! I spent a week in Tokyo, with sexy Mike mainly, from the 27th until the 3rd of Jan. . We were kindly offered housing by Laura, not to mention the accomodation costs went down thanks to her. We were a bit far from center of Tokyo (Yakou, close to Kawasaki). But I have to say that the commuting time is really reasonable, at least for me (about 30 to 40mins, changes included).

Spent the first days shopping in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku and Akihabara. I was personnally on a mission, looking for a new pair of sneakers. After spending several hours checking many shoes stores, I finally find something that could actually fit my goofy’s feet: a pair of Pumas from ABC-Mart, on sale. With feet size 12 US, I was only offered ugly Converse, that I, in fact, already have at home. I was kinda disappointed, since there was quite a lot of choice. Maybe I should start thinking about a way to get some new ones, but I’m not a big fan of buying shoes online, so…

During this almost relaxing week, I was quite surprised by the tremendous amount of gaijins hanging out in the streets of Tokyo – and in clubs – . Last November, I had the impression of being the only westerner 20 miles around (well, if you except Andreas of course…, a superb specimen coming from the country of "Take on meeeee") except in Roppongi, the place where we all want/hope to taste the Japanese flesh.

Roppongi, where we briefly returned, by default. My BFFs were waitin’ for us, wanting to us to go their Peep show bars. With ladies who wants to have sex with. That’s right. They don’t it for the money or for any sensed reason, they do it because they LIKE it. Or so said the african guy in charge of taking us to his bar.

He eventually went on, even though we were displaying quite obvious signs of "NOT INTERESTED PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE FOR GOD’S SAKE". "What’s your name?, Where are you from? Oh Yeah? I know this country: I have a brother/sister/cousin/uncle/grandfather/chihuahua (cross the mistake out) in this place." Then he starts talking about himself (no still not interested buddy, maybe u should look for other stupid gaijins?). "Girls in my bar do it because they want it, they are rather bored in their miserable life, usually they’re like students, secretary, …" Hummm, I guess it’s time for us to live dear new friend. We’ll see you around – or not.

Another interesting fact was Mike being chased by one the African saying "I WANT TO TAKE YOU! I WANT TO TAKE YOU!". Strange way of charming the customer…

La Tokyo Tower, vue de Roppongi

Page 2, New Year’s Eve party.

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31 Decembre 2008. Double-date in Tokyo, Japan. Mon ami americain avait contacte une fille (quoiqu’a 32 ans, on peut parler de femme) sur myspace, et on avait rendez-vous avec elle et sa copine dans un bar "branche" de Roppongi, tout pres de la Mori Tower et de l’espece d’araignee geante. Bar ultra-bonde, moyenne d’age 40 ans, genre chic gaijin travaillant dans la banque, en tout cas c’est l’impression que ca donnait. Je devais sans probleme etre le plus jeune de tout le bar… Moi je trouvais ca un peu triste pour eux de passer le nouvel an ici, en fait ca craint d’avoir rien de mieux a faire. Bref on discute avec les deux femmes, quand arrive le second date. Direction maintenant Shibuya. On sort de la gare a 23h57, on se depeche d’aller dans un club, le Camelot, pour le decompte. C’etait plutot tres plein, et la encore des gaijin, mais moins, beaucoup moins qu’a Roppongi. J’ai meme un mec qui m’a sorti "Ah toi t’es francais!" Paf, en meme temps lui aussi ressemblait a un francais. Les francais auraient-ils un 6e sens pour arriver a se reconnaitre en territoire hostile. Car clairement, je ne peux pas dire qui est americain ou australien, mais je peux dire francais ou pas avec une certaine reussite. En parlant de reussite, cette soiree aura surement ete la meilleure que j’ai passee sur Tokyo.

31st of December 2008. Double-date in Tokyo, Japan. Mike was in touch with a 32 year-old girl (woman?) he met on myspac. So we met her and her friend in a trendy-wannabe-bar in Roppongi, near Mori Tower. I was without a doubt the youngest person in the bar, the rest were finance guys over 30 and most likely over 40-50-60. We left after chatting a while with the girls, with another friend of Mike. We went to Shibuya’s Club, Camelot. Overall a very good night I have to say. However, I was surprised to hear "HOO! You have to be french!" (in french of course) in the club, a French fellow recognizing my frenchness I assume, our own private 6th sense (wasn’t I saying we re gonna rule the world?). I cannot really tell if a guy is american or australian, but I can tell for sure if he’s french or not, only judging by the face and the look…

End of the night, I fell asleep on some Japanese shoulders in the train back home, and the guy was also sleeping on another guy’s shoulders. With the heating system in the subway, I find it really easy to fall asleep…

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Quite funny…

Seen in Yokohama. 308 from MOTHER France. We, French, shall one day rule ze worlde!

Ikebukuro

Chinatown in Yokohama.

Magasin Printemps, a Ginza.

On the 3rd, back to Urasa-the-quiet, coming back by coach from Ikebukuro (half price compared to Shinkansen). Back to the snow country. No need to say that I was shocked to be back to Urasa, after the sexy, noisy, sugoi, subarashi, suteki Tokyo.

As usual, pics are available here : Photos or on my FlickRaccount.

Peace, Shall Kobayashi-san be with you and show you the dark side.