先週は楽しかったです。
On Wednesday, I went to the Edo-Tokyo Museum and learned about Edo and Tokyo.
水曜日,江戸東京博物館に行って，江戸と東京について勉強しました。
At the museum, a tour guide taught me many things.
博物館では，ツアーガイドがいろいろと教えてくれました。
If the tourguide weren't there, I would be really confused.
もしツアーガイドがなければ,私は非常に困ったでしょう。
On Thursday, I went to Shinjuku for a tour.
木曜日、ツアーだから、新宿に行った。
Canadian People and I went to a department store, saw the food stores in the basement, and drank sake.
カナダ人とデパートに行って，地下にある店を見て，お酒をのんだ。
After the tour, I went to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. However, I wasn't able to see the imperial palace.
ツアーの後で、皇居東御苑に行きましたが、皇居を見られません。
On Friday, I went to school and took a test. Because I finished around 2pm, I was hungry.
金曜日，学校に行って，テストを受けました。午後二時ごろ終わりましたから、お腹が空きました。
At a restaurant, I ate cold soba and tempura. It was delicious! It was only 460円； I think that's cheap.
レストランで冷たいそばと天ぷらを食べました。おいしかったですよ！ 四百六十円で，安かったと思います。
After lunch, I went to Shinjuku again and saw interesting things.
昼ご飯の後で，また新宿に行って、いるんな面白いことを見ました。
I also went to a 100円 shop and bought furikake and miso soup.
そして，百円店に行って，ふりかけとみそスプを買いました。
On Saturday, I went to Harajuku, saw Meiji Shrine, and went to Shibuya.
土曜日，原宿に行って，明治神宮と渋谷にみに行きました。
Completely in English because I would never be able to construct these sentences:
When I was at the Meiji Shrine, there were several wedding parties. It was crazy to see what the bride, groom, and accompanying people wore as they paraded through the shrine area. It seems to be quite a coveted wedding location. When I was in Shibuya, I saw the infamous Shibuya crossing, where all four street lights are red at one time and people stampede across the street. Sheer chaos:
I also went into a building called Shibuya 109...I cannot even begin to describe what I saw. Female employees stand on chairs and scream into megaphones to customers to come into their store. I have never heard 'いっらしゃいませ’ (irrashaimase) louder or more high-pitched in my life. They took marketing to an eardrum breaking, migraine inducing new level.
Omotesando in Harajuku is where you go for high-fashion. Teki tells me its Harajuku's most famous street, housing tons of expensive brands. She also told me that American Eagle recently opened there, and although there was a huge line for its grand opening, she doesn't think it has been doing very well. Americans love tight clothing and low tops. Japanese love loose tops and short, short, short bottoms.
In typical Miyako fashion, I was also hit by a bike while walking in Shinjuku. Apparently at least one accident involving a bike must occur in every city I live in now.
Overall, Japanese people are probably some of the nicest people I've ever met. I have been lost probably every day since I have been here, and I can think of only one time when someone has been hesitant to help. Unable to understand them, I am often escorted to my destination. When I got lost going to a festival (which I will post pictures up in future blogs), a lady on a bike with her child in the back walked with me at least half a mile. The only thing that stopped her from accompanying me to my final destination was because the only way off of the bridge was stairs, which would have been quite challenging on a bike.
I also experienced rush hour on the trains for the first time the other day. I didn't realize I went on an express train, which passes the stop I need to get off at. Like an idiot, I got on another express train in my attempt to go home. On my third attempt to reach my station, a young woman on the train followed me to the right track to make sure I wouldn't be a moron again. Their kindness is overwhelming and unbelievable.
Having said that, I have expressed a creeper, or なんぱ (nanpa) while walking through Kabukicho. Apparently that area is known for being a not-so-nice part of town during the evening, and when I was walking through it, a guy tried to talk to me. He asked me where I was going or something like that, and when I told him I didn't know him or want to talk to him, he told me good luck, yet continued to follow me. I proceeded to walk into a koban (police box) and he discontinued his creepiness.
もし= if
がなければ = if it doesn't exist
困る (こまる）＝to be troubled/worried
非常に（ひじょうに）＝very, extremely, exceedingly
皇居東御苑（こきょうひがしぎょえん）＝ Imperial Palace East Gardens
受ける（うける）＝to take (a test)
お腹（おなか）＝stomach
いるんな ＝many
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