Day number 4 was absolutely the hottest day yet. Temperatures hitting 33ºc (feeling like 42ºc with the humidity) is definitely something I’m not use to and has even wrecked havoc on our portable wifi, causing it to overheat a couple times while in my backpack. Staying hydrated and cool has been a magic trick that we keep improving at with practice; going through multiple litres of water (each), especially today. Never have I appreciated a sudden strong gust of wind than I have while I’ve been here. However, we did not go gentle into that hot day, and still explored for a solid 10 hours today.
Coffee = Breakfast
Let me clarify, we did not substitute breakfast with coffee; but found out that most cafés and coffee places also serve breakfast (Who’da Thunk!). This morning we went to a classy chain business called Tully’s Coffee for a latte and pancakes. While the coffee was smooth and overall satisfactory, I believe that they were some of the best pancakes I’ve ever had (Sorry Dad). Served with real whipped cream, butter, and maple syrup, they made for an excellent start to the day as well as brain-fuel to craft the rest of the day’s schedule.
Toy Museum
First on the list was to visit the Toy Museum that was less than a 10 minute walk from our hotel, only to find out we were the only adult males there, the majority of the other high-brow intellectuals in this museum were all children under the age of eight playing with the exhibits as their parents watched them carefully. After about 10 minutes of eyeing the displays like a couple well-manner, cultured men and learned where every puzzle game on the App Store originates from, we bid our farewell and sat on the curb outside.
Hanazono Shrine
An incredibly sudden entrance into a peaceful place of worship. Just a few blocks from our hotel, along a bustling urban area, surrounded by high-rises, is a wide alleyway that surrounds you with a quiet atmosphere that is parallel to the energy of the sidewalk only 10 feet away. It felt weird to take photos of such a sacred place and so I only have the one picture of the gate/arch. We didn’t stay long though and quickly found ourselves back on the curb.
Everyones a Vagabond When The Wi-Fi Cuts Out
Remember when I mentioned the heat and our portable wifi not getting along? You do? Well this is that part of the story. Instead of panicking or running to the nearest 7/11 to get back on track, we practiced Confident, Open Exploring (or aimless wandering, you choose). Fortunately, we found ourselves in a really cool neighbourhood (of 50-story buildings) with tons of shops and attractions, interesting architectures and building styles, and endless signs of complex cultures and styles.
-From here onward lies the section I had to rewrite after not saving and navigating away from the page-
Meiji Jingu Park… Or Not
Good news, bad news. The good news is that we found an even bigger park/garden than the one we went to on Day 2. The bad news, is that park is actually a government building/palace only for diplomats and people with large hats (the other high-cultured men who sit on curbs outside toy museums). While we did find a small little park near it that was a quaint area filled with trees, and benches in the shade, when we went to find the bigger area, we found ourselves walking the perimeter of a large walled-off area covered with “Keep Out” signs, security cameras, and gates guarded by armed men. We inconspicuously walked along this heavily secure property, carrying a DSLR and avoiding eye contact until we were clear of the area could breathe easier. Obviously, after such a tense couple of minutes, it was definitely time for dinner.
Hinoya Curry
Just around the corner from our hotel is this tiny curry restaurant that serves curry that is incredibly plain to the eye, and anything but that in terms of flavour. Now, keep in mind, this curry spot is no bigger than a small bedroom in Canada. A row of barstools along a countertop that surrounds the kitchen area with one guy cooking the meals. One of the coolest thing about this joint (as well as many places we’ve seen) is that you order what you want on a ticket machine outside and pay, then bring the ticket inside and give it to the chef, who cooks and prepares the food in front on you. The food itself is absolutely delicious and filled with flavour, while looking like just plain rice, sauce, and chicken. Something' I’ve noticed (and friends of mine have noticed) while travelling is that in other parts of the world (other than Canada), the food typically looks plain and boring, but the flavours and quality of food is top-notch.
4 Down, 10 left to go!
Only 4 days in and it feels like we’ve explored so much! I feel like I’ll be feeling the exact opposite way in a week when I’ll be feeling like I haven’t done enough and want to stay longer! As for now though, it’s getting close to midnight here (after rewriting this section) and I should sleep! Visiting a new coffee place, The Imperial Palace and the surrounding area tomorrow!
Keep Capturing,
Eric
