Japan Adventures... Part One...

So anyone who knows me know that my friends are incredible to say the absolute least. It's one of the things I am most blessed with. I have an amazing family and amazing friend, which to be real, are family. Bring a boarding school kid you not only go to school with your pals,you wake up, eat, sleep and shower with them too. This kind of environment forms a friendship like no other. To still foster these friendships seven years after we attended our last high school class is something that I do not take for granted. Vietnam is incredible and I'm so thankful that my parents were able to come and see me but I needed my friends too. These people I have literally grown up, all the ups and every single down they have been there. These are the people that I'm used to seeing every other day, to go six months without them has been tough, but I'm so happy to say that the first group made their way to me! Needing a layover somewhere and trying to make the most of the trip it was decided that I would meet them in Tokyo and we would watch the all blacks take on whoever would be unlucky enough to meet us in the quarters (keep in mind when we booked we had all our faith that the boys would make it and you always back black). With flights and accomidation booked that last thing to do was actually get the rugby tickets... Return flights to Japan $517 Two nights accomidation $280 Not getting tickets to the game... priceless. I was online for 12 hours, trying to get a hold of a humble 4 seats with no luck! However we decided the atmosphere anywhere would be worth it so the plan steamed ahead! Arriving in Tokyo after a 6 1/2 hour flight with next to no sleep, I faced my first challenge. The trains. I found the first one okay, I needed to ride it for 15 stops, change trains then one more train a few stops down the line, a 10 minute hike on foot and I was good to go. As previously mentioned with a few winks under my dome I closed my eyes for one second and then gathered my belongings and jumped off, and instantly got on the next one, only to find out that I had missed my original stop, and then gotten on the wrong train in the wrong direction! After hopping off that train, getting the train back to the original station, it had been about 3 hours since I landed and hadn't gotten very far at all. Finally at the hotel, all that was left to do was wait for the squad to arrive. Staring out the window like a kid waiting at Christmas, trying to sneak a glance at the jolly fat man,I saw my pals. Standing in the middle of Tokyo, four humble, New Zealand battlers, giving out hugs like they were free. There was not a single moment of silence for the next 48 hours. After checking into our "private room" that had about as much space as a coffin we decided to head out and get some food and at least one beer. Rolling around the streets of Tokyo were amazing, good food, good drinks and even better friends. The first night, against all odds we ended up linking with a father-son duo whi happened to be Irish and English (obviously). Over all you can drink beers banter was exchanged and it's fair to say we had a good time. With a big day ahead of us we called it an early one and headed back to the morgue to jump in our coffins and sleep like the dead. With the Tokyo sun burning it was off and out. We jumped on the train and headed out to the digital art museum. With a few stops for shopping along the way and a rotation of a big old ferris wheel we headed into the most organised public attraction I have ever seen. At the back of the queue there was a sign that read 35 minute wait from this point, and exactly 35 minutes later we were swiping our way inside. Inside the museum there were different rooms with giant displays of lights and other technological wonders. It was absolutely incredible but with kick off near, we headed home to rep the boys in Black and put on our number ones. We found an English bar of all places (which in hindsight was a terrible oman) just in time to hear the sweet sweet sound of God Of Nations. Looking around the bar there were 3 green shirts amongst a sea of Black. As the night went on and drinks were deleted we talked to nearly every kiwi in that bar. When the final whistle blew and the boys had done it, slice of heaven rung throughout and we were as happy as could be. Taking to the streets of Japan it was time to flaunt our victory, therefore it only made sense to go to an Irish bar. Low and behold, two Irish mates, one who spent a few years in Crimeschurch.. I mean Christchurch. After we had talked as much smack as we could it was time to get the familiar taste of Uncle McDonald in our bellys before we had to sober up for the earliest flight we could have booked. Now unless you have been living in a literal cave, you must be aware that in Japanese culture bowing is a big thing. With a few beers under my belt and feeling like a big boy, I decide to give it a go. First one takes like a duck on water. Being the stubborn individual that I am, I wasnt going to be out done. Old mate bows, I bow back. He bows again, going a little lower, so I go lower. The story ends with me on my knees in the middle of a dirty japanese street, speaking vietnamese and trying not to be out done. I believe this was a great sign of respect, however that was all undone when I accidentally ran head first into an elderly japanese woman. For that I will always be sorry. Bowling back into the graveyard at 3.30 we had a solid hour and 15 minutes sleep before the alarm was buzzing and it was time to get up. Sargent Coops was on a war path. Poor Hope with the sleep still in his eyes was fumbling towards the shower when he heard the undeniable sound of the loudest whisper I could utter "And where do you think you are going..." A dazed and confused battler replied "Ahh I'm going to have a shower" The poor boy walked into a trap, I had indeed saw the towel draped over his shoulder so I knew where he was going. Not on my watch. "No. We are leaving in 5 minutes." With a degree behind him he is a relatively smart man he knew what battles to fight and turned back towards the room. Still feeling the effects of the one beer we had last night, the train ride was rough, but as bad as we were feeling there was one man feeling worse... Typhoid Tim. Now this man looked like he had died and no one had the guts the to tell him.. speaking of guts he showed his, a strong vomit on the train followed a bit so subtle wipe of his hands on sade... Finally off the train and in the airport the Japanese vending machines needed to have the last laugh. With around 5000Y still on my train card I thought it would be ideal to get us all matching key chains of our journey. Swiping out of the train station the rest of the teams funds were running low, me being the big dog I proudly say "Dont worry about it, I got you guys, I got millions" (which I live to regret to this day, also keeping in mind I'm used to running in Dong, which having millions is normal) Beep - swiped myself out Beep- swiped Hope out Go to swipe Hiraina out *Meeeeeerp* no funds left I was flabbergasted how did this happen? It wasnt until I did some quick math and realised I spent $62 NZD on key chains. FROM A VENDING MACHINE.... chúa ơi. Part 2 coming soon!