Andrew Bird Still Roxxors My S0xxors

Maya and me.
Mayams in Shinjuku, next to a letter-sculpture.

So I was translating some anime for fansubs earlier today, when I chanced to hear some very cheerful, uptempo music from the street beyond my balcony.
The music, which sounded like a synthesized fife tune, grew louder, accompanied by the rumble of a diesel engine. "What," I thought, "could be generating that jubilant sound?" I mean, of course I thought it was an icecream truck or something of that sort- it was the sort of music that would suit a parade of happy children.
So I open my balcony door and step out to have a look. I see a big blue truck (big for Japan anyway) with "I Love a Clean Kawasaki City" written out in Japanese on its side, and two men in blue uniforms hauling trashbags toward it.
So yes, it was a garbage truck. And you know what? I love Japanese garbage trucks.

Today was a very productive day from the standpoint of practicalities. I was able to successfully withdraw $ from the clammy, greedy clutches of Citibank, and deposit it into the warm, inviting bosom of Mitsui Sumitomo bank.
I also now have a cell phone! An honest to god Japanese cell phone from Softbank! I had to struggle through about two hours of Japanese contract-babble, of which I understood the (hopefully) most important 75%, in order to get it. And it's on the cheap side, but it's sleek and it's mine. For those who are curious and won't abuse my openness, my number is 080-3398-2494.
I carried out all of my business today in Shinjuku, since all of the relevant places were very close to the station. Shinjuku is an odd mix of pedestrian-friendly upscale shopping district and red-light district. While I was wandering amongst signs for sophisticated bars and ramen shops, I received an invitation to a "Massage" from a man with a potbelly. "Massage? You mean like shiatsu?" I asked. "Ero-massage!" beamed the man with the potbelly. Well, as is true of any good city, one can get pretty much anything one might want somehow or other.

I made it back to Shin-Kawasaki station just in time to apply for - and get - a 6 month student Suica rail pass. I ended up dropping over 30,000 yen on it, but I'll save money in the long run since I get a student discount. As it is I've been spending about 700 yen per day on train tickets.

Most urban shopping districts in Japan are multi-story, meaning many, if not most, of the shops are accessible only by a staircase or elevator from the street. This means that as you learn to read the signs, you become aware more and more of this vast consumer architecture lying under the surface of things. You can't rely on window shopping at all- I guess that's the main difference between most places in America and here. It's a strange sensation to climb a narrow flight of stairs, open a tiny door on a darkened landing, and find a treasure trove of hidden rooms and shops full of people. The cities here are like great beehives filled to the deepest most remote cavities with bees. I mean people.