結膜炎 (Read For Translation)

Today is surely the worst day since I have come to Japan! The story of why that is starts about a week ago. While in Hiroshima on the field trip, my ear had been hurting my quite badly on a particular day. I was worried I may be coming down with an ear infection, so I got to bed early and felt fine the next day. Within the next few days however my throat started hurting, and my sinus's were very plugged up. I figured it was just a slight cold and it would get better soon. It didn't get better at all and I pushed and pushed myself with out resting. In any case I woke up this morning with a case of　結膜炎, pronounced ketsumakuen, or Pink Eye! Whats even worse, is this is a five day holiday weekend in Japan known as Silver Week, and there is no possibility of me getting specialized medication by seeing a doctor. The only options for me were 薬局 or 救急車, over the counter pharmacy drugs, or calling an ambulance. I chose over the counter drugs, and antibiotics that my doctor gave me before I left the US. I suppose I had a sinus infection that developed into a case of pink eye. It ruined my plans to go see the giant Buddha in Kamakura today while the weather is amazing, and I can no longer go out clubbing tonight with everyone in Shibuya. It sucks, but hopefully with this rest I can get better soon. On the bright side of things I learned new words including 結膜炎、薬剤師、and 目薬, pronounced ketsumakuen, yakuzaishi, and mekusuri, they mean Pink Eye, Pharmacist, and eye drops. I should also mention that from a mix of soar throat and stupidity in the form of going to karaoke, I have no voice.

So, in the mean time let me update you on my most recent Japan adventures. Yesterday Was a full day spent out, first in Hamamatsucho to see a very old (aren't they all) Buddhist temple in Tokyo and then on to visit the observation deck of Tokyo Tower, and then a visit the the Pokemon Center. After visiting Hamamatsucho, we swung by Shinjuku for a look around.

The temple that we visited in Hamamatsucho was founded an extremely long time ago, and served as the personnel temple of the entire Tokugawa Shogunate, the 増上寺, or Zojo-ji. The Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada himself is buried on site. The Temple itself is huge, it's sheer size is awe inspiring in itself. Unfortunately however, not much of the temple is original, must (probably all) of the temple was rebuilt in the 1950's. The original temple building and surrounding area where all burned down during WWII due to Intense fire bombing of Tokyo by the US. Read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C5%8Dj%C5%8D-ji

Zojo-Ji with the Juxtaposition of Tokyo Tower

Julia and I in front of the Main Hall

We were very lucky (in fact we were most unlucky) to stumble upon the temple at the exact moment when there was a funeral service going on. While death is never a fun topic, and showing up at an unknown person's funeral to act as a tourist is quite awkward, we where able to see the ceremony tied to this sad part of life. The monk's chanting was very beautiful.

Next and perhaps even more painfully uncomfortable was the next stop in the temple. We know now that the area we visited was a graveyard dedicated to children who died before their parents, i.e. still borns and infants. None of the UC students knew that when we entered the graveyard and began taking pictures of the cute children statues dressed in bright clothing, and then began asking our Japanese buddy students to pose with us. They must have been so uncomfortable, and after doing research, I now feel just as uncomfortable as they must have, in addition to feeling like a jerk. Imagine posing to take pictures with smiling faces while in a graveyard, for children.

Shrine in Children Cemetery

With that in the past, we moved on to Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower, modeled after the Eiffel Tower is a communications tower that broadcasts TV, and radio signals all over the Tokyo area. It is bigger than the Eiffel Tower, and directly underneath it is is the Sky Building, which houses various stores including food shops, souvenir boutiques, a convenience store, and an aquarium. After exploring the Sky Building and grabbing some food, we headed up to the observation deck and took our time looking out at the Tokyo Skyline. Tokyo is a monster of a city.

Me at the Tokyo Tower Base

Lunch in the Sky Building

Tokyo, Click on the Pic for Higher Resolution

After that, and a quick drop by the nearby Pokemon center we were off to Shinjuku. There I was able to buy an electronic dictionary among the most crowded streets that I have ever seen. It was somewhat expensive, I hope it turns out to be a good investment! In addition we ate dinner at a Matsuya fast food restaurant, and then went into an arcade where we took Puri Kuri pictures, and I raced Tomoyou, one of the Japanese buddies on Mario Kart! Long, but fun day!

Charmander and I at the Pokemon Center

Tomoyou and I after our Mario Kart Race

元気になるまでに、
Cary

Just after I finished writing this post, this Mikoshi or traveling shrine passed by my window.