I wish I knew how to act like you

Discovering a city is an adventure, especially a huge one like Tokyo. Line, Rune and I were planning on going out for a walk, but didn't know where to go. We sort of decided on Asakusa, but a communications mishap later we met up at Akasaka.

Knowing nothing about the area we just strolled around for a while, and then... we spotted a boat rental.

We couldn't really conceal our childish excitement as we hurried to the spot and got ourselves into a yellow boat.

Line and Rune watching a bird.

Rune was very manly.

Satisfaction was evident!

The rowing area (was it a lake?) was really tiny.

And not really that charming.

After rowing we tried to make Rune go to Hooters with us but he was to proper. So we went for Italian food, and had some terrible wine. I wish the Japanese were better at wine. If anyone has any advice on getting decent red wine in Tokyo, I'm all ears. Luckily I also introduced Line to umeshu, a great success!

The next day I went to visit my teacher Ikezaki sensei from the Japan Return Programme. I was there with two older panelists. We talked a lot about the earthquake, and it was interesting to hear the different viewpoints on the flight of foreigners (and Japanese as well). My sempai from France, Helios, was summoned home by his university, and we shared very similar feelings about having left Tokyo at such a difficult time. Sempai Shouka, from China, who had been in Kansai airport checking in panicked foreigners, thought people were overreacting. It's a difficult subject, since it's very different how you feel after a disaster like this. But I don't really think you blame people from going home if their country says it's dangerous. And if you're scared, it might be healthy to go home and relax, and then come back... If possible, that is.

Overall it was a very nice evening, with lovely food and a lot of laughs.

Shouka is pretty!

Shouka and sensei studying different ways to tie scarfs.

Sensei with a scarf.

And some work related news! This is the embassy facade as it looked last Monday! It's so gorgeous with all the messages on it! We're doing a charity auction, and the opening is today. So if you're near Daikanyama, please stop by. You can also place your bid here. All the items are donated by Danish artists, designers or companies, and all proceeds will go to the children of Higashi-Matsushima in Miyagi prefecture.