Writing a Post in 5 minutes or less...

List of awesome:

1. We got back to Tokyo and the neighborhood we're in (Ikebukuro) is like Times Square on acid, in bed, with a hooker...and video games on the side.

2. Still don't understand the pachinko craze.

3. Tomorrow we're going to wait in line for Sumo tickets. Wish us luck.

4. Michael rocks at Tekken 6! (Yes, we're still in the future)

5. Kwah-ta-pounda-juiceh-a-sanduwich!

6. Today I fulfilled my life's ultimate dream in 2 ways. a) We went to a cat "petting zoo" where 20 beautiful flat faced fatty cats roamed majestically while we squeeled with delight and tried to pet them. b) We had the Japanese convenience store version of Uncrustables today. Strawberry jam and butter.

7. We went to the shrine festival in Asakusa today where the streets were littered with empty Asahi cans and wasted dudes. Michael had takoyaki with whole baby octopi in them. I had Ampanman baby hotcakes.

8. Tonight we will finish Beowolf on our cable tv? No further comment on that.

Goodnight! we will be home soon and hopefully you'll get some goodies.

Mac-a-Donarde

We're lovin' it. After all the fried balls and fish and sweets, we decided to eat lighter and go to McDonalds. Hello McPork, Teriyaki burgers, Ebi fish filet (shrimp sandwich), Strawberry Oreo McFlurry and SHAKA SHAKA CHICKEN (that one won a song from us). Everything tastes the same, but the difference is that we're on vacation so we don't feel guilty about eating it. We haven't tasted the McHot Dog yet, but it's on our list.

We are leaving Kyoto tomorrow to go back to Tokyo, so we'll have more internet access then. Until then, check out Matt and Erin's amazing loveliness!!!!!! I know now why you cry, but it is something I could never do.

Drinkin' beer before our 11:30 curfew

Ok ok, so this keypad is a little crazy and sometimes I make typos (thanks George :p). The apostrophe is where the number 7 is! And yes I just used an emoticon. Crazy right? Today has been all kinds of crazy.

We went to the Arashiyama part of town where we lazed about in a zen garden and criticized some dumb Europeans for walking on the tatmi mats with their shoes on. Really come on now. Michael had to take his slippers off because they were too small, but at least he took off his shoes. One size fits all...old Japanese women? I nearly died from laughing.

We just had some yakitori at the smallest bar in the world and got some sake to take home. Yeah, we have an 11:30 curfew. They are pretty uptight at this ryokan, so we're moving on to bigger and better things. The new ryokan will be much nicer (hopefully). Gotta finish this beer now, and maybe read some crazy x-rated manga. Kampai!

Healin' and Feelin' Good Time Cafe

Yes, that is the name of the cafe we are writing from in Downtown Kyoto. This place rocks like crazy!!! Today we saw several shrines, some geisha along the way, and many many Tanuki to boot. Also we ate 50,000 candies, approximately. I hereby name Kyoto the Land of Splendid Treats...and cute bars...and strip clubs...and shrines. We're killing some time before we head out to a Kabuki performance at Japan's oldest Kabuki house.

Top 5 of the day:

1．Teenagers crowding Michael at the shrine today and insisting on taking pictures with him. Ｉ don't know if it was the Metallica shirt or mohawk but I got no love.

２．Our ryokan．　It feels like our very own Japanese apartment complete with tatami mats and rice paper walls.

3. Treats, treats, treats! We ate all kinds today, including a sundae that was topped with red bean paste. Mmm...

4. Ｔａｋｏｙａｋｉ！　This is actually from　yesterday，but they were so delicious and the bar was so nice that we are going to go back for more．I never knew fried octopus balls could be so yummy.

5．Rilakkuma. I have developed a slight obsession with this bear.　I think it's because he looks like he doesn't give a shit 'bout nothin'. He's a relaxing bear who just likes to take it easy. Also he likes to put four leaf clovers in his mouth.

We miss you guys, and on a personal note, I miss cereal so effin' bad. Doughnut breakfasts don't do it for me.

Kyoto

We're leaving Tokyo for now and heading South to Kyoto on a Shinkansen (super-fast power machine train from the future). It's probably even faster than the Hogwarts Express.

p.s. I added the picture from our plane ride below.

Smorking or non-smorking?

I forgot what it was like to be in a city that allows smorking everywhere. It's kind of gross, but it reminds me of pre-Bloomburg NY. Anyway...

Veronica's Top 5 *so far*

1. Good water. I am an aquaholic and Tokyo has some good ass water. Yes, cities have different tasting water. E.g. Boston's water tastes like ass.

2. Tsukiji Fish market breakfast- the best sushi I have seriously ever eaten in my life! And for breakfast no less.

3. Picture machines. Michael and I are now captured forever as pretty Harajuku girls in picture form, sparkles and all.

4. Joint top 5 item. The BOSS. Not like the Boss, whom I also love, but these coffee drinks they sell in vending machines all over the city. Tokyo hearts vending machines like crazy, and thank god for that. Need a pick me up? Let the Boss take care of you.

5. The weather. It couldn't be better so far. It's breezy and feels the way Spring should have felt back home. It just makes you wanna break out into song.

Michael's Top 5 *so far*

1. Japanese vending machines in general! Thirsty? There is a vending machine. You want a toy? There is a vending machine. Oh! Want to take a pictures with your friends? There is a vending machine.

Hungry for ramen? Order from a vending machine.

2. The yen. I love it! Less bills and less coins to deal with, just essential numbers ones and fives.

3. Cute retarded mascots for everything. There is a cute drawing for everything including the police stations. Usually law enforcement want to instill a sense of safety and intimidate those who oppose the law, but in Japan I think the police want to have tea party with everyone because of a drawing of cute anime bear in a police hat.

4. The Tomogochi. IN COLOR! Yes it is true this will be hitting our shores probably in the next year

5. Sushi.

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Ok now we're off to Tokyu Hands. Kitten petting zoo here we come!

Japan is amazing!

Hi everyone! We never wrote yesterday, but be assured that we had the best first full day ever. We walked for 14 hours yesterday and wandered through Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya and this shrine that we stumbled upon...I will find out which one. Michael and I have decided to start writing our top fives of the day, starting later. Right now we are on the way to the fish market to check out the freshest sushi on the planet. I wish we could upload our crazy pictures for you now, but until then I will totally steal other people's pictures online to illustrate my points.

We miss you guys! We'll think of you when we karaoke our hearts out tonight!

We are in the future.

We made it! It took us something like 20 hours door to door, but there you go. The flight was direct so we watched a bunch of romantic comedies - no complaints there- and ate 4 meals! FOUR. Before we were allowed to disembark we had health checks by guys in these surgical masks and scrubs. They waved heat detecting cameras at us to see if we have swine flu. It was kind of awesome. I felt like I was in the Host, except everyone was laughing and taking pictures. They made us all put on face masks.

Ok, we are passing out. Tomorrow we will take over the city!

Getting ready for our trip!

All of the baby shampoo bottles have been packed, and they're all under 2 ounces. Our first stop is Tokyo, where we will be arriving Thursday, May 7th.  Our hostel has the word "ninja" in it, so it seems promising enough. JFK, here we come!