We arrived at Tokyo Narita International Airport. You can't tell from this picture, but from the moment we emerged from customs there were dozens and dozens of volunteers helping us out and showing us where to go. After being in transit for most of the day, it was greatly appreciated.
My very first Japanese-style toilet! Piece of cake! (but now I realize why you always take off your shoes before walking inside a Japanese house - you just don't know where a person's shoes have been, or what they've been standing on)
On the road from the airport to the Keio Plaza Hotel. We did drive by Tokyo Disney, although this is just some random ferriswheel. Dad? You up for Tokyo Disney? They have Pirates of the Caribbean!
Our first night in Shinjuku, Andrew, Leanne and I stumbled around looking for a place to eat. This picture doesn't do the sensory overload justice. We eventually found a little shop that sold Udon, ordered some and tucked in. Oishi.
After eating with some other new ALTs from Winnipeg, we walked around some more and stopped by an arcade. This is a super fun and super cute Taiko drum game, which can also be seen in Lost in Translation. You go, Andrew!
This was my room at the Keio Plaza, which I shared with another ALT from Toronto named Kaleelah. It was spacious and beautiful: we were spoiled.
The bathroom had a cool 'non-fog' section of mirror.
It also had a heated toilet with various functions (though it didn't recommend 'America Town')
The view from my hotel window.
Monday morning was the official welcome ceremony (or something like that). All the new JETs were brought together by prefecture and we listened to speeches. This picture doesn't show the size of the room nor the number of people involved (there were a lot).
Me and Chris, both of us looking professional in our suits.
The lovely Ms.Galina(na-na). Grammy, you'll notice I'm wearing my 'Terumi' pendant :-)
Tokyo street shot
I believe this is Shinjuku station
On the Monday night we were invited to a reception at the Canadian Embassy, a big, grey building with lots of granite and which screamed 'CANADA' !! Unfortunately it was rather disappointing: they served us sandwiches, Lays potato chips and Canada Dry gingerale, and nothing interesting happened. Luckily, however, the spectacular sunset and gorgeous washrooms made up for the lack of civic excitment. I don't have any pictures of the washrooms (Galina! email me), but I do have some of the sunset.
What's a Canadian embassy without an inukshuk? This guys gets a great view of Tokyo.
Wow, purple sky. Thank you pollution!
Oooooh...
Aaaaaw... Even though we're jetlagged, we're still hott. That would be me, Galina, Audrey, Mia and Leanne.
We managed to brave the subway system, and eventually get back to the Keio Plaza.
That's right Kevin, Huzzah!
Finally, before heading off to bed, Galina and I made the trek up to the 47th floor, and took some pictures of the surrounding night-time lights of Tokyo. Mine didn't turn out so well, but you get the idea.
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