No bumping

What better time to post an update - while having to study (-.-)y

Last weekend I went with some friends to Toshimaen - a smallish amusement park about 20 minutes west of Ikebukuro. It was fun, even though the rides weren't quite what I was looking forward to (think Rainbows End, but tamer). It was a good day and there were no queues so we managed to fit in seconds on some of the rides. The day was also a timely reminder that I do not do well on spinning rides.

An interesting figure in the haunted house - a geisha with a super long neck that extends randomly up and down.

Also of note - in this amusement park you're not allowed to bump cars in the bumper car ride. We found out when the ride operator (who seemed not to be able to speak english at first), managed to blurt out "no bumping" on the PA system.

The next day I went to Shinanomachi for an event organised by JUSCO where we did a bunch of traditional Japanese things like calligraphy, tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arrangement) and origami. Everyone was really nice I enjoyed it a lot considering the rather apathetic mood I was in going into it.

Preparing the tea. It's a bit of a long winded process, but there's history behind it.

Sitting on tatami mats made my legs sore.

Yesterday I went to Ueno Park and Ueno Zoo with a friend. Then met with some other friends later in the evening for some shopping at Harajuku. Bought a two sweaters at a really good price which I was chuffed with. It was also my first time to eat at a バイキング (buffet) in Japan.

One thousand paper cranes.

Some statue in Ueno park.

There happened to be a free buskers festival in the park on the day we went. This guy played the bagpipes and had curly hair, which is very unusual to see on a Japanese person.

He entertained everyone with diablo.

Japanese monkeys

I'm quite proud of this shot. I've figure out how to do shallow depth of field shots on my little compact (yus!)

As a heads up, we have a long weekend next week (Monday to Wednesday off) which I will be spending in Kyoto with friends - which may mean a late post from me. In related news, right after finding out that Yui was to play a concert in Tokyo, I realised it would be during my trip to Kyoto. *sad face* But it should be fun anyway.

Anyway - I'm packed with homework, and I pretty much failed the last kanji quiz, so I will have to end here, but I will leave you with what was in my package (because I know you all have just been dying to know; I know I have).

炊飯器 a rice cooker!