Posts filed under ‘Miscellaneous’
~*~ 1..2..3 Strikes you’re out!! Tokyo Baseball~*~
While in Tokyo, we got to experience one of Americans favorite past time, a baseball game. That night at the Tokyo Dome, the Tokyo Giants played the Blue Jays and the stadium was filled with lots of people. There were two bands in the stands and a section where the fans spelled out the name “Giants”. At this baseball game, people were able to bring in their own drinks and have the people place your beverages in cups for you to enjoy. I must say, while going through security, the guards were very friendly and lenient. The lightest security I have ever seen! Then we received complementary Pokey Sticks as well.
At the game, I was craving hot dogs which I usually get when I go to a baseball game at home, and luckily they had them! I was so hungry, I ended up buying two of them and they were delicious. When ordering a hotdog, a mustard and ketchup pack came with it that was connected together. When you clamped them together, both squirts out very neatly. I thought this was very efficient way of dispensing your mustard and ketchup! I really enjoyed the game as we chanted along with the crowd, even though I did not know what they were saying, but it was fun! They had cheerleaders and the mascot came out to dance with them. We had orange towels with the teammates names and numbers on them and we swung them in the air after a good play was made. At the end of the night, the Giants won and we all had a good time after a hectic day of getting there!
Inside Tokyo Dome Baseball Game
- Tokyo Dome Baseball Game
1 comment June 10, 2010
~*~Tokyo Disney Land~*~
- Tokyo Disney Land!
While in Tokyo on our free day, a few of my peers and I ventured off to see Tokyo Disneyland! I have been to Disney World in Orland, Fl when I was 14, and I had an amazing time. I was curious to see if Tokyo Disneyland would meet my expectations and be just as exciting as it was when I went with my family. When we first arrived, we were so excited to have made it there on our own! After purchasing our tickets, and I was glad they took Visa, we walked through the gates and through World Bazzar! There were plenty of shopping stores. This area was covered by a plexiglass canopy. The park was very clean and so pretty! After walking out of Bazzar World, you can see Cinderalla’s Castle. There was also a parade passing by with Minnie and Mickie on the Easter float. In Japan, Easter lasts for a month and it was an Easter Celebration going on.
Then after watching the parade, we went to one of our first rides. It was the Star Tours ride. I rode this ride when I went to the Disney World in Orland, FL as well. This was a simulated ride and it was really fun. The only thing about riding the rides here in Japan is that everything is in Japanese, so I did not know what they were saying! Another thing about Japan, there are tons of people, and the lines for the rides were ridiculously long!! We did not have to wait that long for this ride though! We then went to Toon Town and along the way, stopped at a concession stand that sold various toys and gadgets, hats and Mickey/Minnie mouse ears! I bought a pair later on that evening for a souvenir! Many people had these ears on at the part too!
Since some of us wanted to ride the rides and others wanted to go to the shows, we split up into groups. We went on another roller coaster ride and waited in the line for almost an hour and then went to another ride and waited for over 2 hours. It seemed like we never was going to get to the ride! That is why when going to an amusement park as such, you need a whole week just to do everything, but I’m glad I got the chance to go. Also at the park, we stopped to get some waffles! They were in the shape of Mickey Mouse and was covered in strawberry and custer with cool whip! It was delicious! After eating and riding a few rides because the lines were just too long, we decided to leave the park. We did not get a chance to see the fireworks or the electronic parade but a couple of my peers said the parade was really nice with all the lights on the floats and that the fireworks were not that great. Overall I still think the Disney World in the US is way better but I had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful park in Tokyo!
2 comments June 4, 2010
~*~ Sumo~*~
On Saturday, my teacher, peers and I went to go see Sumo! At first, we waited outside to watch the sumo wrestlers as they walked into the entrance. They had on their kimono robes with their hair in ponytails. Many stood outside to cheer them on as we took pictures of them passing by! This was my first sumo match and I did not know what to expect. As we left to go inside the stadium, we found our seats way at the top. There were so many people who came out to watch the wrestlers.
Before entering the stadium, there were a few concession stands that sold food and souvenirs. Half way through the match, a couple of my peers and I went to get ice cream ( a favorite in Japan), and to buy some sumo souvenirs as well. At this event, I noticed people were able to bring in their own food to enjoy. Many places in the US would not allow you to do as such. Also, we saw a form of advertising when after a match was completed, men would walk around the stage holding banners of companies. One I remember is McDonalds. This experience was quite different but I enjoyed it at times especially when a match was intense.
1 comment June 4, 2010
~*~ Types of Transportation of Japan~*~
When arriving to Japan, I noticed one major way of transportation that many people use; the subways. The subway system was packed with tons of people. People who were dressed in business attire, to children, to even the elderly. There was even a subway car only for women. In the subway cars, there are cushioned seats and poles with hanging hand grips for people to hold onto. There were signs in the subway cars that illustrated to be mindful of others and not to play your music too loud. Also, it was instructed not to talk on cell phones, or have the ringer on your cell phone turned while in the subway cars.
women waiting to board the womens only car
Subway etiquette
Another type of transportation was the buses. They were small and compact and you entered the bus through the back and exit through the front. The bus driver wore a head set and spoke the the passengers at every stop. the single seats in the front of the bus and towards the back, were designed for two seats and one long row that seated up to four on the very last seat. There were buzzers on the walls and some busses had them on the polls and there was a pasmo/suica card reader to pay for your fare if you wanted to use your card.
The taxis and cars were small in Japan. The steering wheels were on the right hand side of cars, and the people drove on the opposite side of the street than we do as well!
2 comments June 4, 2010
~*~The art form of Karaoke~*~
On Friday night, May 21st we all had a chance to go to Karaoke. Many of us have been waiting to go and hopefully meet up with the other students on the study abroad program,but we just ended up going with our group. There were many signs of Karaoke places in Tokyo and Osaka. Since I love to go Karaoke with my friends’ at home, I was no stranger to publicly embarrassing myself! Before entering the place, I did not know what to expect because of what I heard from others who said that Karaoke in Japan was different from the US.
As we all entered the building we had to find our room which was new to me. In Japan, you rent out rooms for your party to sing in. I think this was a great idea because there have been times where my friends and I do not even get a chance to sing because of how crowded a place would be! By having our own private room, we were sure to pick a song and be able to sing. Then, after we went to our karaoke room, we had an hour and a half to sing and open bar. One thing about Japan and drinking alcohol, they never carded me whenever I ordered an alcohol beverage. This was also new for me, because in the US, I have to show ID without a doubt even though I’m over 21. There was a telephone in the room to order our drinks and snacks and someone brought them up to our room! This was great. That night, we all had a great time singing and laughing with one another. This would definitely be a memorable time with the study abroad Japan!
Karaoke
Add comment June 4, 2010
~*~Finding my way in Tokyo~*~
Tokyo Subway map!
After missing my stop on the NEX for the Tokyo station, I got off the train and saw tons of people moving about to catch the subway. I had a map of where I needed to go, but could not understand it. Then I started walking around until I found a guard to ask how to get to the Aoyama itchome stop. After finding out he could not speak much English, I left and found someone else at the help desk. The lady spoke a little bit more English and was able to write down each stop to get on.
I remembered that a card came with my Suica and NEC Users Guide, and saw people touching the gates to pass through. I took mines out and follow suit and I was able to use it to enter and exit through the gates. I got on the subway by looking at the colors on the signs. After the long day and following the directions on the piece of paper I got from the help desk, I finally arrived at Aoyama- itchome station. Looking at my luggage, and then all the stairs, I went to ask someone if there was an elavator to get on,but they guy used his hands to express that I had to go up the stairs and then chuckled a little when he saw all my luggage.It only made me sad!! but I made it up the stairs and onto the streets. It was nighttime when I arrived and the directions to the hotel was hard to make out, so I asked someone else how to get to the hotel. A girl who spoke English was able to help me out a great deal. I was very thankful and proceeded on my way. When I got close to the hotel, I asked someone else who was waiting at a light, and she happened to be going to the same place and told me I could follow her. I finally arrived to the Hotel Asian Center of Japan around 8:30 pm on Wednesday and went up to my room to find my roomie, Mz. Courtney!! and soon after Mz. Vita!! YAY!!
My suica card
Gate to place tickets or Pasmos/Suica cards for Subways in Japan!
Add comment June 4, 2010
~*~Day of Arrival~*~
I arrived in Narita, Tokyo Wednesday May 12 around 5:00 pm. Since I was arriving a day later than majority of my peers, I had printed off all the instructions on how to arrive to the Hotel. Before claiming my luggage and going to customs, I stopped to use the lavatory and when I walked into the stall, the toilets were something quite amazing! It had so many buttons on them for various cleansing and also had a sensor on the wall to activate flushing noises. I must say, the Japanese women are very modest and I really liked the idea. Not only were there flushing noises available, there were music buttons on the toilet as well. These toilets were designed almost like the American style toilets, but I was going to be in for a surprise later on throughout my study abroad. After claiming my luggage through customs, I went to activate my J Rail pass just as my instructor had asked us to do! Trying to find the office for the J Rail and Narita Express was a little difficult as some people spoke little English.
The Japanese toilet
Japanese style toilet
The Westernized toilet!
Add comment June 3, 2010
There’s Hope!!!
Add comment May 3, 2010
Sharnise's Experience in Japan!! 