Day 22: At Sea – Close to Yokohama, Japan

Our long journey to Japan is nearly at a close! For a while it seemed as though we may lose a day in Japan, but it turns out that we will, indeed, arrive nearly on time. But more on that later.

When I last wrote to you, I was off to practice for the Open Mic night. While Tolan and I were practicing, an announcement came on saying that, due to the storm that we were stuck in, we would be arriving late to Japan. They could not estimate how late at the time, but we all assumed that if they were making an announcement we were going to be fairly late. After collectively yelling and swearing in anger, Tolan and I continued to practice. We nailed the song on our first full run-through, and then decided we were ready to perform. The performance was not for a few hours, however, so we hung out on the top deck for a while before going to the Union. We were the fourth act, and before us was a piano piece and two poems.

The moment we were called onstage there was loud applause. This was both exciting and surprising, because I had not realized we had developed such a following on the boat. I was really nervous to perform, because I had never written, let alone performed, an original piece of musical comedy. But, at the same time, I was confident with what we had written and was excited to perform it for a large audience. The performance was a tremendous success. We easily got the largest applause of the evening, and there were over 30 performances. I have decided not to post the lyrics online because it doesn’t really do the act justice, and I never wrote up our banter during the song or what I said to introduce ourselves. I currently know of one video which has our song in its entirety, but I’m looking for one which also includes my pre-song introduction. But fear not, dear readers, I will certainly post a video to go along with this blog when I get the chance.

Today was Asia day, so we didn’t have class but had numerous optional lectures on Asian culture, history, and travel tips. We also had the Super Bowl! The video stream over the 'Net was mediocre, but pretty darn amazing considering we are in the middle of the ocean. I rooted for the Saints, so I was quite pleased with the results. I was a bit torn, however, because I absolutely love Peyton Manning. I suppose I wanted the Saints to win, but still wanted to see Peyton play well. So as excited as I was by the pick-6 which sealed the game, I still wish, to some degree, the game had ended differently.

After the game I grabbed some lunch, where we got a marvelous message that we would only arrive an hour or two late in Yokohama. Hooray!

With lunch in my tummy, Nick, Jake, and I decided to plan our days in Japan instead of attending the optional lectures. The resulting word document is copied below. I’m ecstatic.

TOKYO PLANS
Day 1

• Grab sushi Yokohama
• Train to Tokyo
• Visit Ahihabara, the crazy technology street
• Check out a mall in Ahihabara, eat the tasters
• Go to Miraikan – Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
• Dinner
• Karaoke bar
• Dance Club (Dance club and Karaoke bar may be good in Shibuya)
• Sleep at Hotel

Day 2

• Get to Tsukiji fish market before 9:00 am
• Shibuya – business district
• Asakusa – very scenic area with temples and shrines

SAPPORO PLANS

ARRIVAL: 10:18 AM

• Tourist information booth—JR station
• Snow festival/Food –All day to 10:00 PM
• Stop in Manga Café for quick shower/internet
• Odori Park – Sapporo's most famous park, it is in the center of town and is considered to be a symbol of Sapporo

Food Options:

• Aji No Tokeidai: famous ramen noodles
• Sapporo Beer Garden: All you can eat/drink for 1.5hrs + famous Ghenghis Khan restaurant
• Romantei: Famous sweet shop—chocolate mont blanc + Shiroi Koibito wafer
• Goemon: famous noodle restaurant
• Ishiya Chocolate Factory: 20 min from Odori. Fun/corny with toy museum and robot show

KYOTO PLANS

• Fushimi Shrine
• Nijou Castle
• Shijo Han’eikai Shopping Street (“Shijo Shopping Street”)
• Bars/Nightclubs

KOBE PLANS

• Justin returns to ship
• Souraku en – Japanese Garden
• Sannomiya – Train/subway station. Food, people-watching, crazy operation
• Walk around downtown?

Once we planned Japan, Nick and I decided to try to take a nap. Unfortunately, we were interrupted by two ship-wide announcements, as well as a phone call from our neighbors to get dinner. After dinner, I went to Spiritual Dance, which, in my humble opinion, was the weakest yet. The group was relatively unenthusiastic, and it was actually too crowded. I felt very inhibited in my movements. I used this evidence try to convince Jenny to dance every A day (every other day we are on the ship), as opposed to even A days (every four days we are on the ship), and hopefully she will agree. That would be awesome, because I’d get to dance more and there would be more room.

And now, as I write this, I’m stuck watching a TV monitor for the cultural pre-port meeting. I am not quite sure why they refuse to broadcast these in the rooms. There is not enough space for everyone to see this presentation live, and since I took the time to shower after Spiritual Dance, the room was already full. So here I am with well over 100 students watching the lecture on a screen. Most people are talking, and thus the lecture is impossible to follow. Of course, if this were broadcast in the room, the problem would be avoided. But that would probably make too much sense.

OK, Maxwell, enough whining. Japan tomorrow!! I’ll do my best to blog as often as I can, but I don’t know when I’ll get internet or have a chance to write. But I will fill you in in due time, friends, that’s a promise.