a quick update from tokyo

I am borrowing someone's computer at the hostel i'm staying at in Tokyo, so I thought I'd do a quick update while I'm not paying for internet!

I woke up bright and early at 5 this morning to take a taxi to the airport shuttle so I could catch my 7:45 am flight from Osaka to Tokyo. It was a quick flight and I was at the airport in Tokyo by 9. I had great directions to my hostel and made it with no train problems for once (the system is still as confusing, but I am learning how to handle it!) I checked into my hostel and put my luggage in my room, but my bed wasn't ready yet, so i relaxed in the hostel lobby and did some Japan reading, trying to figure out my plan for the next few days. I went back up to my room and met 2 of the girls that are staying here- Nuria from Spain and Paula from Monterrey, Mexico. They invited me to come out with them for the afternoon, and we went to a park that is close to the 'harajuku' area, where teenagers dress in crazy ways-gothic and rainbow colors. I thought maybe it was just in honor of halloween, but it seems its a way of life here! We trekked to the area close to the major fish market, which is closed at night (I will go back very early in the morning to see the action). Nuria had been to a delicious sushi restaurant there, and we went there for dinner. Each piece of Sushi (just fish and rice) was 80 yen- about 50 cents! It was absolutely delicious and fresh from the market. I was a bit afraid after my last sushi experience in osaka where I got very sick afterwards, but this was great sushi and I loved every bite!

We are all exhausted and came back to the hostel to hang out and chat with some of the employees. It seems like a great hostel and I:m looking forward to spending the next few days here.

more from Tokyo soon!