Fuji-Q and Lalaport

I have had a really good weekend.

First off, Patrick, Maddie, Christine and I were all awake and ready on time, the sun actually decided to be my friend and shine (for the first half of the day, at least), and we didn't have too much trouble finding the bus stop at 7 AM in the morning!

Secondly, our trip to Fuji on the bus was peaceful and stunning, and I got to know Maddie a little better, though I already knew she was as coaster crazy as I was!

We went over Rainbow Bridge, and I have to say that Odaiba looked a lot better with the sun shining from the bridge. Though I still can't get over that they have a small model of our friend Lady Liberty...

facing INLAND! WHAT?!?! (I have a picture of it on my camera, but that's still being fixed -- the pictures here are courtesy of Maddie!)

We had a rest stop halfway there, which was nice to grab some water and snacks, but when I went to use the restroom I had the strangest experience. There was a long line of urinals, and at the entrance end there was a group of five people doing something with the exhaust fan up near the ceiling over the first urinal. I went about 8 spots down, and luckily it was after I had finished peeing that I realized one of the five people was a woman. In the Men's bathroom literally 2 inches from men peeing in urinals. And no one seemed to care.

Call me crazy, but that's just weird.

We finally got to Fuji-kyu (or Fuji-Q) about 10:30 AM and we were thrilled and excited to go!

That's the actual Fuji in the background there, peeking out above the clouds.

We even got to be the power rangers (I'm green!)

We got right into the park, though we had some confusion about having to trade in our tickets for day passes, but luckily a nice man walked up to us and switched out our tickets so we didn't have to wait in the long lines...

If only we had known that was only the beginning...

S0 we jumped right into the first ride, Dodonpa, a coaster that shoots you up to 178 km/h in 1.8 seconds, and then sends you on a long trip around the park before you go straight up and over and straight back down a huge hill. We picked it because we thought it would be a nice warm up and friends told us there was usually no line for a great ride, but the sign said 2 hours (as had Fujiyama). We figured it would be shorter than that, since that's what usually happens.

Boy, were we wrong. Patrick's face says it all.

We actually waited closer to 2 hours and 20 minutes for a 60 second ride. But we had the joy of riding in the zebra striped car, and Christine and I somehow got the front row! (They assign you seats in Japan; you never get to pick or try to let people pass for certain seats). What followed was one of the craziest accelerations I have experienced in my life. I think I left my stomach back at the start, because even though they counted down 3-2-1 (in English, which I just realized was the case, which is kind of bizarre since nothing was in English), the sheer force of shooting off that fast was like a good old-fashioned drop.

All I remember was the sheer force of the wind in my face and screaming with excitement over the whole wonderful (though slightly jerky) ride. And Christine and Patrick definitely were not ready for that extreme a ride. She was bright red, didn't make a sound the whole ride, and couldn't really talk for a good 5 minutes after the fact.

We then hurriedly rushed over to Fujiyama and played switcharoo in line so we could pee and get food. (We didn't feel bad since we were following the precedent the other Japanese were setting and the fact that the lines were SO LONG. It's not like the park was even that overcrowded. Just long lines for the coasters.) It was at this point that I realized what a great group we had assembled. Chrissy and I know each other from Catholic and therefore had a lot of fun stories and memories to tell, as well as a lot to catch up on after 5 years. Maddie is as gung-ho coasters as I am and Patrick was the good kind of nervous about coasters that loves them once he's ridden them. They're both from England now and also had so much to share with us. Just a pleasant day chatting with them.

The weather changed a bit and became cooler and cloudy, but no rain! Phew! Fujiyama's line went a little faster than expected, and this time we got to ride in the very last car! This traditional steel coaster was the first "hyper" coaster and was the world's tallest when it opened. I don't think we were prepared for what an awesome and long ride we were in for! I think it might be the most complete coaster experience I've ever had in my whole life. Just tons of drops and bunny hills and a HUGE lift hill. And when you make the first big turn you just have this view of Fuji to your right that is insane.

I think I screamed with joy the whole time, the guys thought I was crazy for keeping my hands up the whole time, and I literally was shouting like a frat boy at how awesome it was when it was over. I truly couldn't believe its amazingness.

As you can see.

We also had a fun encounter when were pulling out to start the ride. This random Japanese guy waved at us, then blew us a kiss, everyone shouted "Gambate" and started clapping, and all the people in line laughed when I started shouting "iki masho" (let's go!).

Since the lines were so epic, despite our over 6 hours in the park, we weren't able to ride for Eejinaika since it was already full for the day. So we rode the log flume boat ride that gets you soaked, and bought 100 yen raincoats to protect ourselves.

I, however, really did not want to ruin my Puma high tops by getting them wet, and so I brazenly used my BGP and tried and nearly succeeded at getting on the ride with bare feet. But the guy in the booth caught me and I pretended not to understand and got kicked off the ride. I didn't really feel like getting wet anyway. But then I realized they were actually holding the ride for me while I put my shoes back on (!) so I hurriedly rushed and got back in the front seat where we were assigned. I wrapped my feet in the raincoat and also in my personal raincoat and somehow prevented them from getting soaked on the ride, until I got off and dumped a huge puddle right down the back of my calf! But it turned out alright and they weren't ruined at all (PHEW).

We then debated what ride to ride next (the hamster coaster line was too long and I vetoed another water ride after that last madness) so we finally decided on the wild mouse coaster, which was a lot of fun and turned out to be our last of the day!

We then had to head out to catch the bus, and despite our worries that the bus was late and there were SO many buses at the stop, we didn't get too freaked out. And close to departure time, a really wonderful employee came out to ask where we were going, told us our bus would still be coming, and then made sure we got on the right bus when it arrived. When we hadn't even asked for help! It was SO incredible of her. (Unlike that woman in Nikko).

We then rode the bus home, napped from exhaustion, and I was in bed early!

All in all, I had phenomenal day, but I'm bummed that for such an expensive and time-consuming trip we only got to ride 4 rides, and I didn't get anywhere near the crazy 4th dimension coaster. But...

it means I get to go back another day! WOO HOO!

Today was a bit simpler.

I slept in and then got moving right away.

I went to Lalaport in Minami-Funabashi which is an amazing mall and did some nice shopping.

I ate like a fat kid and had Krispy Kreme, Wendy's, AND Cold Stone. Yes, you should judge me. And I tried the coconut cream pie concoction which is ridiculous.

I went to IKEA and got a few more things for my room.

I finally did laundry (3 loads!) and then Blair and I had piano time and worked through her book. It felt so good to work out my fingers...

And then I cleaned, got groceries, cleaned, moved furniture, and started to make my room a home. It's so wonderful!

Now I'm way overdue for bedtime, but just reliving this wonderful weekend!

Bulldogs, Spiders, and Mermaids, Oh my!

Guess where I went today?

Yup. And it's just like it is in the States. Except for the lack of Lingonberry Juice at the soda fountains. I do love a good Lingonberry/Sprite mix with my cheap-o hotdog set. And they didn't have cinnamon rolls today. But the ice cream was delicious. And it's only 1 stop away on the rapid train, so it's much closer than the one in Brooklyn. Especially if I were to try to go to Brooklyn from Shin-Urayasu! Speaking of... I don't think I ever posted this hilarity when I tried to get directions to the MAC store in Shibuya. (Please note, I was not asked to enter a starting address, not that I have any idea why it chose somewhere in Alabama).

My favorite part? #39. "Kayak across the Pacific Ocean. 3,879 mi. Entering Japan". And this is further evidence that I went to IKEA in Chiba, because it would take more than 36 days to go visit the one in Brooklyn... not including the water taxi transfer!

And look. I got a new friend to cheer me up!

The ironic thing is... I don't particularly like bulldogs. I don't think they're that cute. But this little guy just stole my heart over all the other IKEA stuffed animals (that are unfortunately probably sewn by machines staffed by third world child labor). He kinda has a funny body like a gopher or a chipmunk, and I can just see him saying, a la the Cowardly Lion, "Put 'em up... Put 'em up!"

So I went to buy sheets, but that mission was not very successful because sheets in Japan are surprisingly expensive and difficult to buy! And if I'm gonna pay 25 or 30 bucks for a fitted sheet, it ain't gonna be a crappy one from IKEA. So I left empty handed except for a comforter cover, some hangers and candles, a few snacks from the Swedish market, and a squishy pillow. Cuz you can't find one of those in Japan EVER! They're always so firm and brick-like. Yuck.

Last night on the train home... we had THIS bizarre experience. Watch and see:

Seriously. The cleanest subway system EVER, and there's a fully-formed spider web on it (sorry you can't see that better). A CROWDED train. That was probably in use all day. I was shell-shocked. The only plausible explanation I could think of was that, in all likelihood, the last person cleaning the train doesn't quite have the same eye-level that I do. But still. I wish you could see the indifference from the 85 other people in the car. Bizarre.

Rehearsal went much better last night, and even though I still feel rather subpar to the rest of the boys singing "All of Me", I got some good notes from Ai-san, and Daniel (the guy that cast me out of LA who was visiting this week) gave me some clarifications and helpful insight as well. Luckily the next two nights I just get to sit and watch the other teams rehearse, and hopefully we'll be done in time tonight to make the Mermaid Sayonara. And as my lovely friend Jonathan helped me point out, how bizarre is it that my vocabulary now consists of things like "dozo before the Mermaid Sayonara". Wow.

In finitum, I was very sad to hear of Ted Kennedy's passing last night. I've always held this aura of mystique toward the Kennedy family, but in watching CNN and reading up on his history online, I found myself in awe of what a great political man he was. And as someone well aware of the battles we are still fighting for equal rights in this country, I commend that man for his tireless battles to end discrimination. What an honor to have people on both sides of the spectrum mourn your absence and congratulate your lifetime of achievement. Bravo, Senator.