My first outing to Shinjuku whipped past so quickly that it registers as a series of impressions: bright lights and tall buildings; chasing my roommate in a crazed sprint across the crowded sidewalks and sidestreets; asking attractive, well-dressed, good-humored young men for directions; vertical strips of color lining broad boulevards; winding backstreets receding from the glow; in those backstreets--dinginess without desperation--no addicts or night-walkers, just steam billowing up past cloth flags that shout "Ramen!" and "Udon!"; Savory smells, murmurs, and laughter wafting; more running, panting, euphoria; stumbling upon a giant red torii gateway tucked among the starry streets of this entertainment district... It was all gloriously exhilarating.Why the rush? My roommate and I are required to pay our rent, in person, every month, at our landlord's housing office in Shinjuku. It was time for our January visit. We also needed to find Kinokuniya--a giant bookstore that carries English language books--so we could purchase a text for our Nation and Japanese Art class. Everything closed at 8, but somehow we managed to find our way from south Kabuki-cho to the sakura house office. And it was incredibly fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment