Since our plans to Harajuku didn't pan out the day before, Joanna, Anne, and I went today instead. First Joanna and I headed to Lawson, a local convenience store, to grab some quick breakfast.

Found this inside Lawson. Apparently this cheesecake is elusive.

 I didn't take a picture of my food because it wasn't particularly exciting or special. I had tuna bread with a meat sauce spaghetti. Probably horrible for my health. I've decided to cut out all "Japanese drinks" like the sweet juices and whatever and sticking to sugarless tea and water because I feel like I had gained weight here and it's only been like 9 days, despite all the walking I'm doing. Unless somehow humidity plays a part in this..?

Then we met up with Anne and headed out to Takadanobaba to revisit the bank that was closed yesterday. Turns out, yes it really was closed the other day because a whole other area opened up when we went again.

Okay so I brought a portion of my money over in Traveler's Cheques/Checks and for whatever reason I could hardly find any information on where to cash them and how long the process takes. I heard from a friend of mine that it was a lengthy process, taking upwards of an hour and even longer while my "internet research" told me they are accepted at a variety of places and is painless. Finally after my own pleasant experience I can give more information to those considering using Traveler's Checks to transport your money.

I went to to the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ by Takadanobaba station. I'm unsure if they are affiliated with the car company, but that doesn't really matter. This is what their logo looks like:

Exchange rates in USD

Right when you walk in there should be a small podium with an attendee. You need to go to them first as they will assess which window you need to go to and hand you a paper ticket. After that you sit down and wait for your number to be called. In this particular branch of this bank that I went to they had a Foreign Currency Exchange window with the sign written in English (as seen in the photo above) which was very helpful. I can read an OK amount of kanji but comprehension, reading ability, and all that kind of shrink away or disappear when you're nervous and confused.

The entire process was really straight forward. I went up and put my Traveler's Cheques/Check into the little plastic bin my banker put on the table and she grabbed a paper form for me to fill out. All I had to write was my name, address, phone number, and the amount of money I was exchanging. So really easy stuff. Just remember to fill out the little yellow "emergency contact info" card that Waseda will give you in your SILS binder and carry it around with you in case you can't memorize a Japanese address and phone number. (And to clarify, this yellow emergency card is not required to be filled out but obvious nice to have on you for essential information in a foreign country should you lose your way or have a medical accident).

After I filled the form, the banker took my Cheques/Checks and form and had to confirm something with the Traveler's Cheques/Check. I think because they are so secure, the Cheques/Checks are linked to my name and American contact information so I *believe* they need to confirm with American Express that they are indeed mine. I didn't ask so I'm not sure, though she never once asked me for an ID.

Then when she came back and confirmed the checks, she had me sign all of them, took them again, and after maybe 3-5 minutes came back with a copy of the form I filled with the exchange rates and how much money in JPY I will receive. She also asked me if I was okay with the exchange rate before giving me the money. This entire process took maybe 10-15 minutes. It was a very quick transaction, considering I had to wait like 3-5 minutes just for the person in front of me to finish.

All in all I wouldn't be too concerned with cashing Traveler's Cheques/Checks, especially in Tokyo. I think they have enough foreigners that it's not really a problem.

So after I got my money, we headed off to the station to go to Harajuku.

Got a nice window seat inside the train

I wanted to come to Harajuku not only to check it out but I was hoping I'd be able to buy a few clothes.... However, most of the stores are catered to feminine and I mean GIRLY clothing, not just clothes for females. Frills, ribbons, pink, everything. The clothing styles didn't even work for Joanna and Anne's styles. Then the "male" clothing didn't fit my tastes either. It's just very different from what I wear. Also I am concerned how they would fit my strange frame.

Also, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but there was so much bootleg merchandise. People generally have the idea that Japan is good about bootlegs but Harajuku is riddled with them. Hats that say "DOPE" or are expensive American brands are totally bootlegged. Brands like OBEY and others that are popular with KPOP celebrities and the like.

Right out of the train station

It was quite crowded

There were a lot of American chains like Wolfgang Puck, McDonalds, Clarie's, GAP, Forever 21, H&M, and American Eagle to name a few. Though if I wanted to shop at those places I would just go back to America. I only want to buy clothes that I clearly can't buy any where else but Japan. Maybe if I go to the 12-story flagship UNIQLO in Ginza...

There was a 4-story DAISO and... they had everything

I felt kind of cheapy considering we went to Harajuku and I only came back with items from DAISO. You'll quickly learn that 100JPY stores are your best friend. You actually get quality products for less, though in the bigger stores not everything costs 100JPY.

It was so huge.... There are no 4-story dollar stores in America. And even then they'd sell really cheaply made products.

This bag is AWESOME, did you know?

Yeah I dunno

I WANTED TO BUY THIS JUST BECAUSE ITS SO HILARIOUS

Costume store? Surprisingly cheap considering how ornate they were.

 So it was about this point where one of the many black men on the street tried to stop me and asked where I'm from and if I could shake his hand. Back home I'm notorious for being the naive, friendly, unassuming one of our group and so I told him I'm from California and shook his hand.

Big mistake.

He didn't grasp my hand tightly but he just kept holding onto my hand to lock me in so I couldn't just walk away. So don't think they will hurt you, they won't, they're just trying to keep you there so they can sell you stuff. But yeah so he kept trying to talk to me and was trying to sell me all this bootleg shit and I was like no, no I'm okay thanks and basically walked away as fast as I could. Joanna and Anne saw it happen I think but they were looking at a store when I walked away so we got separated for a bit. Only Anne has a cellphone out of the 3 of us so it was like 5 minutes before we found each other again. I just kept walking forward to avoid the salesman, but I got too far ahead and Joanna was freaking out thinking that I got kidnapped. When we re-grouped they scolded me for being too friendly and that all those people talk like that to try and get you to buy their stuff. Well lesson learned.

Though I am still unsure why 85% of the people on the streets trying to trap people and sell things are African men... I feel like they appear much more intimidating in a sea of thin, lanky Japanese people, but I guess that also makes them stand out? I really don't know, I just never want to experience that again.

Took this psychedelic photo while running away from the salesman

I don't know what's the deal with Japanese people and Furbies 

Various American products... including a Michael Jackson figure at the end (left)

3

Doesn't the one with the glasses look like me? Anne decided she's the white one with the moustache

Random store with cutesy monster mascots

One of those bootleg stores. Video of G-Dragon from BIGBANG (KPOP group) and some bootleg KPOP merchandise (bootleg as in stickers, posters, brand name hats the artists wear, and stuff like that but not bootleg CD/DVDs)
I didn't realize this store specialized in KPOP stuff, otherwise I would have gone in to take a look. 

Even pets need fashion in Harajuku

Now entering the womb

Psychedelic mirror sculpture... reminds me of the bean thing in Chicago

Dropped in for some lunch! You buy your meal ticket at this vending machine... everything is just vended in Japan I swear

Anne recommended this Tsukemen restaurant two floors underground. I couldn't even tell where it was because the entrance was so tiny and hidden. At least that also meant it wasn't crowded.

Asians

Regular Tsukemen dish

So I had never had Tsukemen before and didn't realize that the translation is "dipping noodles" so when he first brought out my dish I just started eating the noodles. I thought the soup was a side dish. But no, tsukemen is when you have (usually cold) noodles and a hot broth and you just dip the noodles in. Because of the type of noodles, they hold the broth in well and you just slurp! It is really really tasty and perfect for summer. It cost me 780JPY.

Also for a while a kept calling Tsukemen Ikemen (attractive male) and Joanna kept laughing at me. I'm slowly trying to remember the proper name.

CREPES

 There were a TON of crepe shops just down this tiny road in Harajuku... so much competition. We really wanted to get one but after tsukemen we were pretty full.

We were pretty much finished with the shopping area so we headed back to Harajuku station and went to the Meijijingu Shrine.

Anne

Anne..

..what are you doing?

 This shrine was unbelievably huge. Like not huge just for Japan but huge even for America.

Anne photobombing

so gorgeous

Sake wall

All 3 of us did the washing ritual. I think I did it wrong, even though there are directions in English.. water felt great though!

Shop selling fortunes and good luck charms

Boards with peoples wishes written on them

I bought a Good Fortune blessing for my dad and a Good Health/Joy blessing for my mom. Afterwards we went to the shrine gift shop and bought some tea and sweets for Aya, because she is so kind to us. Then we hit the shrine's cafe.

Melon soda ice cream float! So good!

 However, because it was so cool and like a creek or lake or something ran through the shrine, the mosquitoes SWARMED the cafe. Walking around I don't think I got bit but when we sat down I got bit EIGHT TIMES. EIGHT. I even caught one as it was still sucking my blood. It's belly was red because it took so much of my blood augh. I flicked it away, but after so many bites that's the first time I've ever seen it happening. I also had my left foot out of my shoe for like 3 minutes and I now have 5 excruciating and annoying bites on my left food. There's 3 on my left arm. Anne and Joanna also got bit, but I don't think as many times. We quickly finished our treats and ran.

The yellow and red bags are the charms for my parents. Everything else from DAISO. 

Now I have this awesome sign on my dorm door!

The markers are a bit shoddy but that's what I get for paying 100JPY for one. Sorry this post was so late... I'm trying my best to keep up with these blogs I swear! Augh now to go and rip all of my skin off... damn mosquitoes.

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When I woke up I looked at my balcony doors and it looked like I had just taken a shower inside my dorm. It was fogged up and looked like rain had hit... Until I walked over and not only was it still raining but it was pouring like mad. Like what I imagine Seattle gets in terms of rainfall. I was warned by the US government's STEP program (if you're traveling outside the country and you're an American citizen, they will notify you in advance of natural disasters, epi/pandemics, national holidays in your home country and visiting country, and etc. Basically if you're American and not in America, sign up for it) about 2 days in advance of a tropical storm hitting our region and what do you know it hit us hard.

As I am typing this it is already Monday 09.16, 9AM and the storm is worse than it was yesterday.

It never rains like this in Utah for such a long duration so it was awesome!

Die mosquitos, die!

Joanna in the rain

We waited till it was just drizzling to go out

Went to our local Santoku market and I bought 20USD worth of groceries to tide me over until Tuesday

Signed up for a point card and like a stupid American I was being difficult
She handed me a sheet and I dont have a phone # or have my address memorized and didn't realize that you dont need either of those. They pretty much just need your name.... for some stores. Which is what threw me off. They seem so much more complicated than our American rewards cards.

After I had set up a Skype with my parents but THEY WERE LAAAAAATE! MOMMY YOU WERE LATE! Yes I am going to tell everyone in the world you were late for this one thing even though I'm always late for everything at home. MURICA! Our Skype was about 2 hrs or something and then she needed to head to bed and I needed to do laundry.

Needed to do laundry really badly
UTE PRIDE LET'S GO U OF U!

The Washer
seems intimidating at first but it's incredibly straight forward. it will give you directions saying to wait until the water is completely filled and then put in soap and clothing but do it in whatever order you want. I was taught growing up to put soap first so its more evenly mixed.

They even move differently here. the machine would shake it around, stop, add more water, and shake it again. My clothes are completely clean though

So because of the rain and for some reason my clothes hanging thing on my balcony doesn't have a wire for me to actually hang clothes off of so I settled on my closet. I think I pulled my clothes out at 4PM and when I went back for bed at 11PM, they were dried. I did turn my AC to 18C though I'm not sure that affected how fast they dried.

Made some more "instant" meals... it's like the only thing I can cook

I ran into Marina (Belarus) in the kitchen and when I met her yesterday (or was it 2 days ago?) I had this feeling like she wanted to get to know me better or talk to me or something. And when I walked in one of the first thing she said to me was "So you like BIGBANG?". I was wearing my BIGBANG concert shirt as a pajama shirt the night I met her. I had to laugh because I have such a good "social sense" I guess but I never believe them and just think I am losing it or being crazy. So I found my first KPOP friend! From Belarus nonetheless hahah. I only really know of the mainstream groups and only truly like and can take a few of them seriously. But I do really like BIGBANG so that's enough for me! Maybe we can go to BIGBANG's concert in Japan in November.

MURICA!

 Lillian (MURICA!, Hawaii), Joanna (Australia), Marina (Belarus), and I sat around and talked about our country's differences and of course the Lilys teamed up and stood proudly for the Red, White, and Blue. There was no competition because how could you possibly beat the world's only remaining Superpower? Everybody wants a taste of us MURICANS! And Joanna kept muttering "Stupid Americans" out of jealousy. However ironically enough Marina told us that America should bring democracy to Belarus next because they are a dictatorship under the same leader for the last 20 years and he just over rides their constitution. If you think about it they are even more "MURICAN" than America because what could be more American than doing whatever you want and telling the Constitution to go screw itself? (And let's be honest here, American politics do not strictly abide by the Constitution) So congratulations Belarus! You have also gained honorary American status because your dictator does whatever he wants without care for others! Come and join the party!

After our chat we went out since Lillian was helping one of our RAs Koutarou get pizza for the party at 7:30PM and Joanna and I needed to buy some things and we wanted to show Marina around because she just got here like 2 days ago.

"Which one do you want?!" cried the Japanese Orangutan as he spoke in tumbleweed.

It says "Ahhhhhhhhhh SPICEY!!"... and that's it. I have no idea what kind of food they sell other than its spicey

I passed this McD so many times and finally was able to get a photo of their Pokemon Tretta toys! I want one but I don't want to go to Japan just to eat McD... I heard it's not actually that different, just more fish items.

 Now we headed back and everyone was just hanging out and chatting. We lined up to hand Koutarou-senpai our 500JPY as contribution to the party and then both RAs and Aya were setting out food.

Anne was the only one that noticed I was taking photos so she's semi-posing in all of them hahah

Left to right
Eda (Denmark), Seishou...? (China), Yannik (some European country... sorry I can't remember!), Lillian (America), Clovis (France)

Anne being an Asian stereotype. GO BACK TO CANADA ANNE! USA! USA!

Finally the pizza was handed out! 5 pizzas per table and they're all different

The final moments before Lillian's sobriety goes out the window 

Tuna pizza!

 So this was the first time I ate, saw, or even heard of Tuna pizza. And all of the Europeans at my table (except for honorary American: Belarus) looked at me and was like what planet do you actually come from!? Then at the other end of the table Lillian and another American (sorry I can't remember your name! but he's from Orange County) and me are like what the hell is tuna pizza!? No one has tuna on their pizza in America. Unless you go to a "specialty" place like California Pizza Kitchen or something like that. Americans love their red meat above all else so that's the main thing on our pizzas besides cheese and pepperoni.

I had the tuna pizza though and it was really good! I wasn't concerned about the taste, I just wasn't sure how the flavours would mix. I like it more than meat pizzas! I think I had 4 or 5 slices of all different pizzas.

Aya's curry... soooo GOOD

 I can't remember if I mentioned it in a later post but me, Lillian, and Joanna went to the convenience store a few days ago and I came back with that super cheesy oily curry dish and Aya was in the lounge cleaning and came by asking if I liked curry. I told her its my favourite food and she said "Oh, maybe I should make curry for the party?" and SHE DID! AHHHH SHES SO NICE! She even asked me "So how do you like my curry?" at the party! Even in her introduction to us she said she wants to be like a mom to everyone in our dorm. We found out she is originally from Kobe and has only been at our dorm for 6 months? I have no idea how the dorm situations are worked out here so it was cool to hear her give like a "formal" introduction.

We played BINGO and like all college students we were indescribably excited about it. BINGO BITCH!

After some frustrating results I finally got a bingo and I didn't realize until later but I got a double bingo!

 The prizes for bingo was a bicycle, 5 hot water pots, a mug, and a few other smaller prizes. I got bingo just in time to get the last hot water pot! It's really cute and even got some green on it :D Good thing I didn't bring one from home! Eda (Denmark) from our table was the first to get bingo and of course she chose the bicycle! Lillian was 3rd to win and she got a pink hot water pot. Later came me and Clovis (France)

Clovis, a Frenchman, drinking Japanese wine that comes from a Tetrapak.

According to Clovis they even screwed up the French spelling of "Delicat"
"Engrish" transcending all borders of the world

Our table had some interesting conversations and of course we always end up at country wars (like America is the best! No Americans are stupid! hahah), stereotypes, and what actually happens in our home countries. So Clovis, from France, was asking me whether high schoolers in America really get shoved into lockers and stuff like that and none of the Americans at the table ever experienced or witnessed that. I have experienced bullying, but only when I moved to Utah. I was never bullied in California (except once because I was in a Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card group.... shut up) but in Utah I got bulled several times. Some guy asked if I would sleep with him (like a joke... as in of course he didn't want to sleep with me), one in middle school stole my hat and made fun of my Asian features. So I don't get into a rant I'll keep it short, bullying is a problem in America but I feel it's worse than getting swirlies or something. Those are truly "bullied", like its the same group or people everyday harassing the other person, not just one random act, really have it bad. It is recurring psychological abuse and has the potential to be much more damaging, especially in the long run, than physical abuse. But yeah, I feel like this probably happens in other countries too? We'd like to all get along, but some just want to watch the world burn.

Then Clovis started comparing America to Breaking Bad and at first I was shocked to hear someone even mention Breaking Bad, let alone from France, and then I was like wait you can't compare the two!! Not everyone is a meth dealer and says "yo and bitch" all the time and not all chemistry teachers are dying of cancer and turn to meth dealing to pay their medical bills. Though I thought it was hilarious that people in France think it's ridiculous that would even happen because the idea of paying like 100,000USD per cancer treatment is absurd whereas it is actually quite plausible in the States. I have heard and known people who lost all their money trying to pay back medical bills for treatment they couldn't afford. And so I proceeded to talk like Jesse for the next 10 minutes and ended my sentences with bitch hahah. However Clovis is only up to season 2 so... his ideas of America are going to get much worse very quickly.

I just figured people would NOT assume that America is just like our television shows but a lot of the Europeans at my table were curious is American high schools were actually like that hahah.

The table in the back on the left side (all the European guys) were wasted

This European dude standing up is exactly what his shirt says. He bought his own drinks to share with everyone after the party's drinks ran out. According to Michael, this guy's goal in Japan is to get piss drunk every day with people.

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