As I enter my second week of school, I feel grateful for everything I've already had the chance to see. My days have been filled with train riding and walking (my ankles say ouch), trying lots and lots of new food and drink, and attempting to settle into a routine (with little success). I've made several friends but still feel like there's more connections to be made. While I suspected locals to be quiet compared to Americans, I feel that the program also attracted a generally shyer population of study abroad students, making relationships harder (not to mention that I myself am quiet). In the coming week, I hope to improve these as well as research the best weekend activities so I can most effectively make use of my time here.
These pictures are taken from a day in Akihabara, a flashy and bustling district featuring multiple story stores, arcades, and tech shops. The district is most known for its manga, action figures, and other television related items. In top left my friend Matthew and I can be seen in a Gachapon Hall, a type of store with walls of coin operated machines dispensing various toys. Each has a different theme, and there are usually five possibilities for different toys that might dispense. I scored with a pug on a skateboard and a cat in a tissue box.
Left: A beautiful river path near my dorm building which stretches on and on. Due to a persistent shoulder injury, I've been rendered unable to skateboard. Instead, I've been letting off steam on night runs, where I took this picture. Thankfully I don't have to worry about any danger at night, and I frequently see other runners. I also attended a basketball night at my school, where I made a three pointer and several layups before my shoulder subluxed again. I plan to attend indoor soccer in the future.
Right: One perspective of the view from the top of my campus building.
From left to right: Shibuya (+ my friend Kaiden), Shinjuku, Ginza (an upscale shopping district reminiscent of Rodeo Dr or Melrose Ave in LA but with more escalators).
Above: Videos from a night out in Shibuya. Trains stop running around 11 pm to 1 am, so if one plans on staying out longer than this, they must be prepared to stay out until the first morning trains at 5. This is what we did; a fun night, and a not so fun Sunday.
P.S.
While I did say more walking makes my ankles hurt and I do like cars, the benefits of quality public transportation are very obvious. More walking means better health and more people on the street to interact with. It calls for more attractive architecture because people will be spending time near it, and more conveniently placed stores. It saves huge amounts of space, materials, and pollution. It also leads to a more enjoyable environment unaffected by the sound of cars or smell of exhaust. The future needs active transport!