December 9th, 2001. Noah's Ark and toilet water.

After work, I called up Brenda to see where she and Craig were. My guess was that they were out shopping again. Wait, let me rephrase that. My guess was that Brenda was out shopping and Craig was there too (just kidding Brenda). We ended up meeting at Yurakucho station, on the Yamanote line, close to Ginza (the shopping Mecca of Tokyo. So I was right).

Brenda's cousins were there and we all decided to head to a restaurant. Brenda's aunt and uncle showed up too. Thank goodness I was wearing something a little dressy that night, as Brenda failed to mention to me that I would be meeting her aunt and uncle. I couldn't understand a word they said throughout the entire dinner, but I had a good time anyway.

This is a shot of the room we got. Brenda's aunt told me (with the help of Craig) that it is very rare that the family gets together, and that she was very happy to have this opportunity. I am honoured that I was allowed to horn in on a family event.

So, names (from back, left-side down to the front, then back, right-side down to the front): Nami, Brenda, Mr. Takizawa, Craig, Me, Rui and Mrs. Takizawa.

I really like this shot. This is what happens when you are greedy.

Nami (Rui's sister) stepped out part way through the meal to use the ladies room and came back ranting about something. Craig later translated for me: You know how some women turn on the tap because they are embarassed of the sound it makes as they pee? Well, in this particular bathroom, you just press a button inside the stall and a cover-up sound will begin. On the button is the name Sound Princess.

Tokyo International Forum. This is the ceiling of it. Kinda like the Metro Convention Center in Toronto, but better. Way better. This thing cost about 18 billion tax payer's dollars (yes, dollars) and looks incredible at night. It's apparently a totally useless facility and the citizens don't really like it at all, as the land could have been put to better use (i.e. a hotel, commercial office building or shopping centre).

According to Rui, who is well-versed in architechture, this structure was modelled after a boat. That isn't hard to believe.

As you walk beneath it, you can almost see the animals lining up two by two. Is that thunder I hear?

Not only can you gaze at the ark from the ground level, you can walk through these zig-zagging walkways that are suspended in the air.

I am reminded of the inside of the Death Star from the original Star Wars. Some more shots of the walkways below.

This is the Tokyo International Forum as seen from outside.

"A glimpse of the Japanese pension plan."

Gross over-employment is something that a foreigner will pick up on right away here. People are hired for the sake of keeping the jobless rate down. This means that there are 3-4 people doing the job of one. The result? You have lots of people doing exactly what this guard is doing. Absolutely nothing.

Thanks to Craig for the witty caption.

This is the last time I am going to see Brenda and Craig for a while. They are leaving to go back to Canada by Christmas and it looks like at least a couple of months before I can enjoy their company again. These two have really gone out of their way to babysit me since I have been here.

Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate it.