AOL India finally launches!

Two more pictures from my last day in Bangalore.

There's the cow and the dog...


I wanted to bring one of these cars home with me.

Konichiwa -
Domo arigato Tokyo!

The udon with the tempora shrimp at the airport could not have been any better.
Given that Tokyo is 13 hours ahead, and it was a 13 hour flight, I basiclly landed when I took off.
Sayonara さよなら - until the next adventure...

Here is a quick run down of the day I’ve just had. I’m sure to fill in with some good stories next time I see you, as I am basically giving reference points on the pictures but very little color.

I woke up early, got lost and ended up finding the Tsujiki fish market to have sushi for breakfast. Tsujiki is said to have the freshest sushi in the world. It was great.


I got lost on my way to the Imperial Palace, so I took a cab. This is as close as you can get. No tours, no gift shops.



Luckily this time, I found Harajuku pretty easily. I did some shopping, and wondered around. Even though I didn’t know where I was going, I wasn’t lost.


On my destination to the Park Hyatt, I got lost in Shinjuku.


Made it to the Park Hyatt to get one of Tokyo’s best views. This is the bar that was used as inspiration for Lost in Translation. (See a theme?)




I got back to find that my smaller bag was delivered. I’m having United hold the other bag at the airport because its heavy and I head back tomorrow anyway. It’s the one with all of the souvenirs, so if I come home empty handed, I’m sorry!

I’ll leave you with this video I took of some Japanese TV.

I've made it to Tokyo in one piece. Given that I don’t read or understand the language, I'm surprised I made it here so easily.
My plane out of India was delayed, so it was a close call on making my connection in Singapore. Needless to say, I don't have my luggage for the second time on this journey.
There is nothing I need (for the time being), besides cash, and this computer, so all will be ok.

Video of me rushing through the airport at 6 am.


I took a bus to Shinjuku station, and then a cab to the inn I am staying at. Video footage from the cab ride.


A picture of the inn's sign.


Here's what $45 gets you in Tokyo. The room is clean, has free wireless and my laptop plug works with their outlet, all of my needs have been met.


I am staying 3 blocks from the Takadanobaba station, one stop from the Shinjuku stop, so I decided to go check things out based on what I saw upon my arrival.
Inside the train (which is different than the subway...) I took to Shinjuku.


Shinjuku is like Times Square, Vegas and any red light district all rolled into one HUGE area. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, so I high tailed it out of the seedier parts pretty quickly.


I only really have tomorrow to do most of my exploring, so I am planning on checking out the Tsukiji fish market for breakfast, as they serve the freshest sushi in the world. I hope to then see the Imperial Palace and the Harajuki district. I've already seen a handful of the Harajuki 'fruits' in Shinjuki...and they are a sight to see.

Namaste

I am sitting at the airport waiting for the flight to Singapore and with a connection to Tokyo. I got all the shopping done today, went to some great places, got to walk around and see some really cool things. We then had a send off at the TGIFriday's (I had to go...) before going back to the apt to shower and pack. Thankfully everything fit.

I've also taken off most of the beard, but have left a handle bar mustache to ride into Tokyo on. Hopefully it will make an appearance in the Japanese pictures.

I am going to miss this country, and the people I've met. I hope to come back someday and visit Goa. Wanna goa to Goa.

Of all of the unique foods I've eaten here in Bangalore, I think I will miss the nice simple sandwiches we get in the office for what amounts to 50 cents. They are so tasty, yet so simple. This is a picture of a smooshed somosa on two pieces of grilled white bread. Other days I would have a vegetable sandwich (something that tasted like cucumber and cabbage) with cheese (more like a cream cheese.)

Part of the reason I will miss this sandwich is I don't think I can find something like this in NYC, whereas most of the other Indian food I've eaten, I can find just a few blocks from my house (even though it won't be as spicy).

Here is another health poster from the office.


I went back to the palace across the street for lunch with a colleague. This gate is at the back of the gardens. How can you not have your picture taken with a HUGE elephant gate?


I head to Tokyo tomorrow night for a few days of sight seeing. I got a lot of souvenirs last night, but need to spend most of tomorrow finding a few last minute items. I’ve been here long enough to know where to go with out a ride.

It’s been kind of difficult to find stuff to bring back for a couple of reasons.
#1 – I don’t have a lot of room in the luggage! Also, giving a “I <3 NY” shirt kind of gives off the vibe of New York and allows people not in NYC to wear the shirt and have a pseudo shared experience about NYC. Also, there are no Bangalore shot glasses (even though you could come up with some cool slogans for them….) to bring home and say “Hey I went to India!” This is a place to be experienced, and no memento will ever be able to give off the energy of this place. So this blog…that’s the goodie I have for you.

I am really going to miss this place, and would love to come back to explore other parts of the country. The people here are so sweet and engaging. (As opposed to my fellow jaded NewYorkers – you know who you are!!!!!!!)
As you can probably tell, I’ve either been in doors, or gone to places that cater to westerners here on business  (for the most part – that night driving through the ghetto, I will never forget seeing camel being smoked).

This has been our favorite clip in the office.