Sunday, July 19, 2009
Woke up early to go to church this morning at the Franciscan Chapel Center a couple of blocks down from Roppongi Crossing.
What a beautiful, cute & simple little church with people from all over the world coming to worship together! - it truly is inspirational...
The priest was so sweet and reminded me a lot of Fr./Msr. O'Brien during his younger years (the way I remember him when giving me my First Communion at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Parsons Blvd).
The readings/gospel for today were so fitting! It reminded us that if we truly want unity, it has to start with us realizing that we musn't be prejudiced against anyone.
At the end of mass they recognized all the visitors/newcomers by asking us to stand and say where we're from. I, of course, repped NYC to the fullest! ROFL. =P
I'm always amazed coming abroad and being in a setting mixed with locals, visitors and temporary residents. It always reminds me how ethnocentric Americans can be and it's sad how so many are trapped in the tiny little worlds that are their lives carrying on as if nothing else exists outside of it. I love being reminded of just how big the world really is with so much to see and learn - there are so many different ways that people live and look and it's overwhelming (in a good way) to imagine all the different paths of life that can exist in one room - brought together, by God, for the same reason.... reminds me of one of my favorite quotes..
"Our hearts feel the same pains and joys even though our lives and ways are different."
What a perfect setting for the homily/lesson that so many of us always find too easy to forget! Looking around I could see students from abroad, families made up of different ethnic backgrounds, nuns from convents in other countries, people on vacation, missionary families, permanent residents, temporary residents - but still.. all the same universal smiles and common faith that brings us to the same place at the same time. How wonderful and truly blessed I am to have this day just for me & my momma! <3>
Omote Sando & Takeshita St!
Ok, so, imagine Times Square on New Year's Eve.... this is what Harajuku is like on a regular Sunday. A place where hour long lines to get into a normal lunch/brunch spot at 2pm, or 30 minute lines just to get into H&M and Forever 21 is totally normal and... people DON'T mind!!!Truly the opposite of NY mentality, the purpose of a line in Tokyo is to get what you want no matter how long you have to wait for it. In NY, the purpose of a line is to not have one at all and minimize, if not eliminate the time requirement to wait on oneIn Tokyo, the length of a line/time it will take to get the service you are waiting for is directly proportional to the popularity of whatever food or service awaits. As a "normal" New Yorker, I absolutely HATE Times Square and avoid it at all costs. As a result, Times Square is usually full with tourists who want to be around the cliched hustle and bustle (or with locals who don't know any better). This time, in Harajuku, I was the worst mixture of the two - a tourist who didn't know any better. Furthermore, the popularity of Harajuku is a tourist trap because of all the "people watching" you can do scoping out Japanese, teeny bop pop culture at its best aka hair dye, bright accessories & thigh high central!!!
Not gonna knock it, cuz granted there were a lot of very cute girls in very cute outfits and some of my clothes WILL be Harajuku inspired BUT
- I have been to the NYC Pride & Halloween parades 3 years in a row - not s
ure how much else can shock and awe me - Omote Sando was cool but its EXACTLY like the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris and
- I could barely enjoy Takeshita Street (which is another famous street known for being pedestrian only and lined with cute fashion boutiques, cafes & restaurants) because it literally saturated with people and Japanese sales girls screaming bargain deals at the top of their lungs in shrilly, high-pitched voices.....
Oh gosh, listen to me... When did I become such a snotty world traveler??? LOL... No, I think I'll definitely blame it on the crowds of 500 BAJILLION people that totally discouraged me from exploring a little bit deeper to find & discover some hidden gems....So yes, whining about crowds aside, and although it wasn't what I expected, I am happy I got to see all the famous places most people only get to Wikipedia about!
- Omote Sando
- Cos Players and Harajuku Girls chillin on Jingu bridge
- the Meiji Shrine
- Rockabillies in Yoyogi Park
- Takeshita St
I just wish it weren't SO crowded so I could've enjoyed the Gothic Lolitas and Ganguros - or even seen one clearly....
Shibuya 109 & the WORLD FAMOUS Shibuya Crossing
Ok, so remember how I said Harajuku was Times Square on New Year's Eve??? Well... Shibuya is 10x WORSE!!!!!!!!!!
Shibuya Crossing is the world-famous intersection (or "scramble crossing") located infront of the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station. There are 3 large TV screens & a Starbucks overlooking this crossing where traffic is stopped (by red lights obvi) in ALL FOUR directions to allow what looks like a bazillion (yes that's more than 500 bajillion) pedestrians to cross on all sides (including diagonally).
Shibuya 109 is not too far off from th ecrossing & while I loved the tiny girlyness & colorful fabulousness of this shopping center, it was JUST LIKE the old school Queens Center Mall at its crazy holiday season Sunday rush! - You fellow Queens natives who have experienced the old, tiny, cylindrical version of QCM will know what I mean.Shibuya 109 is the same tall cylindrical sape with a few more floors and maybe at least a MILLION more people! I kid you not. But... I don't want this entry to be totally full of complaining because 1) I would DEFINITELY go back and 2) I scored some really cute shoes and anyone who knows me knows that's enough to shut me up and make me sublimely happy. :-)
Stay tuned!!!
Day 5 - Tokyo Departure DAY, the start of my 4 day JAPAN tour ADVENTURE from Kyoto -> Nara -> Hiroshima -> Miyajima -> Hakone and BACK to Tokyo again!!
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