Day 8/9 - 15th/16th Feb 2013 (Tokyo)

On 15th, we checked out of Sakura Tei and travelled to Sendai for my yearly treat. It was a tough decision since it was obviously a detour but it was such a waste if we did not make full use of the JR pass huh. Due to our last minute decision (it was just churning inside and I was afraid to confirm it), we did not get seats together and had to sit separately.

I got to sit with a nice lady who spoke to me in Japanese asking if I had space (cos my luggage was in front of me in the space between my seat and the seat in front). She even offered to roll my luggage into her space (how nice!). I replied in my broken Japanese thanking her and saying it's ok, to which she spoke even more Japanese and that was when I had to reveal the truth - actually I don't really know what she was saying. "E-go hanase mas ka?" She looked surprised and asked where I was from. That began a nice long conversation until we stopped at Sendai.

I really enjoyed it, even though it was peppered with silence once in a while, it was comfortable silence while each mulled over what had transpired. I told her about our ski experience, to which she highly recommended Tohoku. She told me she was visiting her sister in Sendai, to which I related that we were going to Sendai just to eat lunch before heading back to Tokyo (which obviously attracted a horrified look). I explained we were using the JR pass so its fine, otherwise it would have costed a bomb. She replied that the JR pass is really good - her son (who is American citizen now) uses it when he comes back.

If my Japanese were better, perhaps the entire conversation could have been conducted in Japanese. But I thought it was quite interesting and fruitful nonetheless. It seems like we often meet interesting people who like to talk to us:)

No photos of triangle cos I've taken thousands already. And it will just make me sad to see it again. Boo:(

Then we travelled back to Tokyo where we headed for (yes, you guessed it) our yearly treat at Bomb. Queued quite a bit but it was rewarding when we got in.

On 16th, we went shopping at Ginza. Raided g.u then uniqlo, the 12-storey massive building.

Went to buy skin care at Astalift and also Dr Ci:Labo - spent quite a bit but got several freebies too. Although it was kinda disappointing to see that these products are also sold at the Haneda airport (tax free!) but hey, the airport ones don't come with freebies!

While doing our usual raid at Seibu, Tobu, etc in Ikebukuro, we had strawberry mille crepe from Yoku Moku (staple raid)

and discovered (drumroll) HAPPY POUCH from Mon Cher, a new stall. It's called Happy Pouch cos one mouthful of this thing is a symphony of textures and instantly causes your mood to go up by a gazillion percent (ok, I made this part up). But I say it is fantabulous/wonderful/awesome/perfect!!! Reminds me of the long departed Strawberry Daifuku from La Fuga, and also C-cup from Hokkaido. It totally rocks. I super want to eat it now pls.