Sunday, 30 May 2010
Yokohama, Japan
Unsurprisingly, given the amount of whisky and sake last night, it’s a struggle this morning, dear reader.
Feeling the pain, dear reader.
Should know better.
But. You know.
Approaching the station, there’s obviously a boy band about to make an appearance as a large group of teenage girls have congregated around a stage. To maintain an access way through the plaza where the concert is being held, security staff have placed bright pink tape on the concrete floor to de-lineate a walkway through. It’s amazing. Everyone is adhering to it and not stepping over the line. Can you imagine that happening in the UK. No. Me neither.
Only a twenty minute rail journey into central Tokyo and the Imperial Palace. The whole area reminds me of Central Park in Manhattan. Inside the complex the Imperial Palace is disappointing as there’s no real Imperial buildings just parkland.
Whilst Al attempts to fill his water bottle at a public drinking fountain some berk (me) turns up the tap to full. Which turns the gentle dribble into a 5ft high squirt. Which wets Al and his camera. Al is not amused. I on the other hand am doubled up in laughter.
Plenty of street entertainers about performing their acts which adds to the relaxed Sunday afternoon atmosphere. A religious group having a day out are trying to do continuous skipping whilst a school group has a long line of kids running into a model boat and running out the other side which looks like the boat has more capacity than it actually has. A girl walking by is obviously on her hen party as she’s wearing a dress made of rags and trailing old shirts fastened together to make a train with her bridesmaids helping her along.
Spotting some lights at the top of a skyscraper figure out it must be a bar so go and investigate. Accessed by a glass elevator up to the 29th floor it’s half full. We’re clearly not their ‘type’ and told it’s ‘fully booked’. Directed to a Chinese restaurant elsewhere in the skyscraper which has a bar. It specialises in fish head. A Chinese delicacy. We’re still too delicate for that delicacy.
No. What we want is another okonomiyaki. To soak up last night’s alcohol.
Unlike Friday’s okonomiyaki, we have to mix the thing and cook it ourselves. Work has to be done. The Japanese have thought of everything. Beneath each banquette seat is a pull out drawer to put your shopping and coats in to keep them out of the way.
First okonomiyaki is 3 types of pork. Like Floyd on Food we prepare the dish. Great fun and very sociable eating.
Having overindulged last night it’s an early night dear reader.
Early start tomorrow.
Back to South Korea.
One response to “RTW 28. Feeling the pain”
Ah yes. Not wise to send this to family. They might get their suspicions confirmed! Great weekend! Curry in the tower?