I can already tell that this is unlike any trip like I’ve taken before

after getting through passport control and got my luggage it was already dark by the time I exited the airport. I got a cab to take me directly to the hotel (I got a free airport transfer taxi because I booked so many rooms), which was fine - it was a strange feeling, having entered the city and then continuing for about an hour more without seeing any nature, I guess this is the nature of megacities. full on cyberpunk vibes.

because I am traveling alone, I feel a bit shy, gotta ease into the vibe, so the first place I dared to enter was an Irish pub, lol. the second one was a Mikkeller pub, don’t judge me.

I ended the night with a huge ramen bowl and some fried chicken at Oreyru Shio-Ramen. even though I ordered too much, I couldn’t help it and I ate it all because it was sooo delicious.

I thought I had ramen before but it seems like whatever I had before was weak in comparison to this, I wish that you could lick the screen to taste this or even just smell it!

I still have trouble speaking in Spanish in Spain and Catalonia because I am afraid to make mistakes, but I quickly realized that it might be easier to try my Japanese skills (I had like a small handful of lessons before coming, lol), because nobody gives a shit, but if they understand, they respond. you really can’t tell what people think here, everything is hidden below the surface of cold politeness. I wonder if I’ll be able to get through to anybody while I am here.

there is a lot of construction in the city, but what’s new to me is that there is usually a person in hi-viz clothing and a glowing stick directing traffic so nobody accidentally wanders into the construction area, some of them seemed quite happy late at night on a weekday to see somebody passing by so they can show off their wand skills.

almost nobody looked me in the eye, I am not used to this, it feels alienating but liberating at the same time. maybe this is a night-time thing, maybe it’s a Japanese thing.

after all this it was time to go home and sleep, even though I wanted to keep exploring, it felt like maybe I could get ahead of the jetlag and not feel too messed up the next day.

the moon looks the same as it does at home but there are no stars to be seen, not even a faint image of venus, not sure if this was because of the tall buildings or the light pollution, but it’s probably both.

everything feels familiar while being different, what a very strange feeling. I am really glad that I came on this trip.