We did it!

We did it: So Hannah and I have been celebrating as we are now sustaining life here in Tokyo.

We've had our paydays and thus we feel: "We made it! We moved successfully to another country!"

Thus we went out the other day and celebrated the fact by having a traditional meal of .... Chinese food.  It was very fresh and tasty. Gouza, chicken and chilli prawns. Lighter than the Chinese you get in NZ thats fo sho. It was certainly a step up from dirty old J and M's on Courtenay Place. I did have a small MSG headache though.

Role reversal: In NZ I was often sick and felt a little "unflash" - whilst Hannah would be healthy as the proverbial Oxen. It seems that the roles have been reversed and since we've been here I haven't had any sickness really. Hannah seems to be getting a cold periodically so we're a little worried and trying to ascertain why. We think it may be the daily exposure to the nippers. 

Rock climbing: A good freind of mine Mr D Bunting popped over recently and it was good to see a chum from home (now Melbourne). He assisted me greatly in capturing the vaunted Quintus Maximus for my collection. We also went rock climbing in Shibuya - much to the displeasure of my forearms. He got a Koi tattoo - I can't remember where but it was probably a tramp stamp. Next on the visit list is Mr Nick Wilson. Looking forward to catching up with that guy.

Rainy McSeason: So apparently in the summer here it rains for month - almost non-stop. I had a bunch of my students say that it had come early this year. But the rain stopped after 5 days which was nice. In general the Japanese hate rainy season. It makes them sad. I personally don't mind it - any time it rains without wind is just a gentle reminder of the forgotten horror of Wellington's wind.  Strangely after maybe a month or so of mid to high twenties heat - it has dropped back to a cool - almost autumnal 15 degrees. Winters last stand.

Yum Yum: Hannah and I missioned over to Ueno for some sightseeing and shopping. We stumbled across a little food market. With some omoshiroi food. Some kind of giant deep fried chip spiral thing you dip in powder flavour. A ramen burger and corn on the cobb. It seems there are three kinds of quick quick quick food/meals here. Udon, Ramen and Soba. Everyone has their preference. most people seem to dig the ramen. It's an institution here. You can go to ramen houses with private cubicles so as you're not disturbed by other diners or even staff. My preference so far is  udon. Big fat udon noodles! Ramen leaves me feeling heavy and sickly where as udon is lighter and you can ofter pick and choose various tempura to eat with it. Soba is okay.

5AM: Inspired by Mr Andrew Thom(p)son I decide to make a video of an early morning bike ride through my neighborhood. It was good fun. Check it out! And yes it is bloody light at 5am!