Scattered

I just posted some pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/rociomendoza3/Japan#

Quick check in. I am doing well, writing from a hostel in Kyoto (this picture is a view of where I'm writing from). I just arrived here after about a 5 hour trip from Tokyo (after so many transfers and trying to find the right line). It is warm and humid and carrying my backpack for what felt like all day today was no fun. But the minute I walked up the stairs from the underground subway I just stopped grumbling. I was taken aback by the sight- I was in the middle of a busy intersection surrounded by historical buildings on one side and a river/canal (think LA river but this one actually has water) on the other side. All along the river there is grass and houses that all look really beautiful and old. I've never been to Vietnam, but somehow I imagine that this is what it would look like (ok, probably the Hollywood version). Kyoto is known as the cultural/historical heart of Japan and it definitely has that feeling- very different from the madness and excitement of Tokyo. But I have to admit, I was so surprised and impressed to find so much preserved nature, temples and shrines even in the middle of Tokyo.

This hostel is a trip. I think it's run by a bunch of Japanese teenager/pot smokers. It has a funky vibe with postcards and posters and stickers all along the walls of the hallways, stairs and lounge rooms (think club bathroom stalls). Behind this computer there are stickers of Bjork, Lauryn Hill, Ali G Indahouse movie, Swiss Miss hot chocolate, The Mask animated series, Foxy Brown, Destinys Child, Skippy Peanut Butter, Quaker Oatmeal, old school picture of Whitney Houston, and tons of other random people/things. Overall, if I had to give this lounge room a name, I would call it the I love Bob Marley and Marijuana room. The sun is beginning to set and it looks so beautiful outside. It has been cloudy all day but the sun just peeked out. You can see layers of green mountains with the smoke rising through on one side and rows of tall building on the other side. I know that from here on out the only constant thing on this trip will be change, but I'm still trying to find routines for myself in the mornings and nights, and also trying to figure out some logic to how I'm packing- which, by the way, I overpacked. I'm going to have to figure out how to part with some stuff already . I've become obssesed with Zip-Lock baggies and I compartmentalize everything in my day bag (Jeanette feel like Josh from that TV show on Bravo). I'm reading this entry and it definitely reflects how I'm feeling- scattered.

Ok, maybe that wasn't such a quick check-in.