Tourist Michele

konishiwa, friends,

hey, check me out -- i'm down with the lingo!

thursday marked a couple of firsts for me here in japan. i found my way through a subway transfer to go have lunch with rob on his break from the conference, had my first real sushi and had a healthy dose of sake last night. it was a momentous day.

i also had the good fortune to do some local sightseeing. my toodling around took me to the original government building in hokkaido, lovingly called "the red brick." here's what it looks like:

the place was teeming with schoolchildren on holiday, but there are some really lovely quiet places in this building. it reminds me a little of independence hall in philly. there's this great room that has on the walls pictures of all of the past governors of hokkaido. they are all stern-looking japanese men, which is funny, since hokkaido evan told me last night that the current governor is a woman. nice, right?

i also found my way to the sapporo train station, which is amazing in its hustle and bustle. check it out:

i've been in penn station and grand central at rush hour and they pale in comparison. i can't imagine what the tokyo train stations are like.

the JR sapporo has what they call a T38 tower, where one can ride up to the top and look all over the city. it is kind of beautiful.

it is overwhelmingly hot here and rob doesn't have a fan. we may acquire one today, if it continues. i sort of feel like i am in some sort of weather hell -- someone is punishing me for savoring the airconditioning in philly so much. jess, i hope it is keeping you cool!

thanks to all of you for checking in. i appreciate it!

hugs,

volansake