I’m back at the little internet place now. We were all (40 of us) waiting to leave to go to a Japanese dinner (それは、ちょっと〜) and I got a call from one of my Japanese friends on my rental phone. I started complaining about how uninteresting all the people around me are, just like I do in Limerick with Japanese friends, but I forgot that I was in Japan so the tour guide started laughing when I said 「皆はデブな白人なんだよ！」. The dinner was good for what it was. As far as Japanese food goes, it was top class. I didn’t even have my gag reflex kick in when I was eating sashimi. I dare say I enjoyed the salmon!
Some lady started feeling sick on the bus to the hotel today and ended up in St Luke’s hospital in Tokyo with pneumonia. Great way to kick things off. She’s also doing the tour by herself so she has no contact with anyone in the tour now, so my dad offered to proxy to our tour guide from the hotel.
Tomorrow a friend from last year’s Japanese who’s on co-op now will come here and come along on the tour. Then we’ll go to Roppongi with another friend from the same class for the night. But what I’m really looking forward to is Akiba and karaoke with my Gunma friends 
Those people are incredible! Can’t wait to hang out with them again!
帰れるかな〜
Good morning/ Daniel. You been busy! Guess you suffering from sensory overload at present. Glad you made it over in 1 piece and that the lag doesn’t eat too much into the stay. Look forward to seeing a few shots when you upload. Guess you’ll not be posting any video footage of your karaoke faves on youtube?! Will check in to see how you getting on. Looking forward to hear of your experience on the bullet train later on in tour. BTW what are your “Gunma” friends?
All v best & say Hi to your Dad.
Heya Jim.
My Gunma friends are people who came from a university in Gunma to Limerick for 6 weeks earlier this year. They went back but we’ve been in contact since over email and mixi (like a Japanese bebo but… better). They’re coming down from Gunma on the train on Sunday so we can hang out
And no, you won’t be getting any video of karaoke.
Daniel
Dont really like the comment on the fact that the “whole group is uninteresting”, I happen to disagree with it, as a member of the group you have made a point of ignoring us everytime we ask “How you are” or “Did you do or go anywhere interesting last night”. Ｙou have not attemped to even speak to us, your father is far more friendly.
Hey Susan. Not sure who you are so don’t take it too personally, but thanks for the comment. Some people are alright but in general I don’t get on with Irish people much, hence my comments and ignoring. I like how you’ve said “the fact that the whole group is uninteresting”. I’m glad it wasn’t just an opinion I expressed
`Daniel, you are still quite a young man, and seem to be quite insular in your opinions. Do not judge people by their looks, or the way they carry on. Most people are not like yourself, on a tour of enlightenment, but they are out to see the country, experience the culture, enjoy themselves, and then go back to work. You are still a student, and you have to be open to everyone you meet. The Japanese, as a culture should teach you that. Life is there to be lived – go out and live it. Do not ket stuck in the doldrums. Take care and love to your dad, Mary.