The contrast between two major cities couldnt be more stark. Tokyo - beautiful, unfathomable and completely alien. Whether in Kimonos, extremely fashionable workclothes, maid outfits, the latest giaru rebellion line or t-shirts with fucked up english phrases like I've got the crabs or EXCITING sex is good. Quiet sex is also good, you wont find a woman dressed uninterestingly. On a list of adjectives for London fashion, interesting and exotic would probably be closer to the end.

Tokyo, and all of Japan, could be defined in terms of respect. Respect for history makes festivals (and there are many festivals) a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. Respect for food makes every dining experience a ritual. Respect for the law means that no gathering is ever out of control. Respect for business means the customer is not only always right, but is in control of any transaction they partake in. I saw on many occasions a salesperson, having completed a transaction, going through a complicated farewell ritual long after the customer was out of sight. Every convenience store has wide bins with three compartments: bottles, plastics and other, and people use them correctly. London is as maintained as it needs to be. The dirt coating everything attests to disrepair that defies description in terms of respect. London is many things, but beautiful isn't in there at all.

But Japan is in many ways unapproachable to gaijin (foreigners). Sometimes interesting, we may be the focus of fascinated stares or more, I get the feeling that a westerner could never really assimilate into the culture. Another world, it's not seen as racism or xenophobia - it's not considered or questioned at all, in fact. It's just the way things are.

I desperately want to write down my impressions of that incredible place and the awesome things we did; every moment back in the real world evacuates the incongruous memories of my last few weeks. But I'm writing this now partially suspended from Mostyn's upstairs window, using a laptop that barely maintains a tenuous link to the internet through a stolen wireless network that would drop out of range if I pull into the house any further. For this reason I can't update further yet or upload any photos.

I hope to write a detailed accounting of my holiday soon, more so I can refer to it later and have Lance and Aki confirm details or add their own ideas than for any other reason.