gwenonikki

Today was my last day in Tokyo, so I’m experiencing the usual bittersweet vacation feelings. I’m sad to say goodbye, but I’m excited to go home. Tomorrow and Tuesday, I spend with the monks. On the 1^st, we leave here in the evening and eventually, after crossing a few time zones, get into Toronto around the same time.

We went to say goodbye to Harajuku yesterday and all of its punks, elegant Lolitas, preened ragamuffins, over-the-top princesses, effeminate guys, Guatemalan surfers, hip hoppers, and regular Japanese marathon shoppers. I’ll miss the overflowing stores, the intensely sweet smell of crepes, the ubiquitous Japanese pop, the yummy restaurants, and the guaranteed entertainment of people watching. Oh, speaking of effeminate, I finally got shots of the Honeymoon-Suite hair that utterly dismays, yet intrigues me. These guys rival the most done-up Toronto women.

We met up with Tei and his girlfriend, Naoko, for a goodbye dinner. Afterwards they showed us Roppongi Hills, which we had never been too despite it being only a 15-minute walk from our place. Thankfully there were markings on the sidewalks or we never would have guessed where to snap shots of the Christmas lights. But seriously, they were pretty.

I have Colin as interested as me in the Louis Vuitton obsession here. It’s outstanding. I’ve never seen such insane brand proliferation. Someone should do a study. Amused Tai and Naoko took us by what must be the largest Vuitton store – the headquarters. It resides completely comfortably in the posh Hills neighbourhood. According to the Japanese women and men whom Colin and I have met, here is why Vuitton is so popular (in spite of it being ugly and horribly expensive):

• It’s hip. ??!! Considering that most of the bags are blah brown with gold emblems and beige handles, that is the last word I’d use. Plus, they’re carried by just as many grandmothers as teenagers. Another reason in the same vein – the name sounds cool because it’s foreign.

• Status. Needs no explanation.

• It’s the easiest, most effective way for a male to show a female he loves her. Essentially, LV makes gift-giving easy for men.

• If you want to be a pretty girl, you have to have one. And having one shows you are loved.

• It’s cash. LV has good re-sale value. If you leave your boyfriend, trade in his LV presents. You’ve got yourself money for a shopping spree.

In their defence, the Japanese women we’ve met can’t stand Vuitton.

This afternoon we attempted to see a Kabuki play. Unluckily, the theatre was closed for renovations and the new program doesn’t start until after we leave. We were lucky enough to find an authentic Indian restaurant that serves wonderful curry. Crunching into a poppadom made me start to anticipate all of the great food in T.O. Since we were in the land of department stores, we decided to shop for a few more gifts before heading to Shibuya. Later on, we met up with Dan and his girlfriend, Tomoko in Shimokitazawa for another goodbye dinner. Sigh, then only one goodbye left. I’ll see Yai for the last time on Tuesday.