The Tokyo Fish Market

Ohayo gozaimasu!! (Good morning to you even though it is after 11 pm here!) What a day I have had. It was off at 4 am to the Tokyo Fish Market. There were probably 15 cab loads of us to go, and what an adventure it was. I can't wait to share the pictures. The fisherman bring the catch in early in the morning and then the fish are laid out in rows. Bidders come by and inspect them so they can bid on them in the auction. Some are totally frozen, but others are iced inside and have been kept cold on the boats. They are gutted and have a piece cut off the back so that the meat can be inspected. They also have a slice in the side of them. We're talking big fish here---average of about 175 pounds. There are many fish and lots of bidders, and they are not friendly. They use bars to pull the fish up to inspect the back. No one is authorized to enter the bidding area, but they don't tell you to get out. The area is incredibly busy. They have loaders running everywhere and I nearly got smashed 20 times. It is a frantic state of activity, and once the bidding takes place, the fish are hauled away instantly in carts. It was quite an experience and well worth getting up at 3:00 in the morning to see. We rode the subway line back to Keio Plaza.

When we got back to the motel, it was time for breakfast. Afterwards, we had some great speakers. The Vice Chairman of the Central Council for Education, Tsutomu Kimura, spoke to us about education in Japan. I found out lots that I didn't know. For instance, the more they lean toward Western ways, the lower test scores they have. More and more their attitudes about education are becoming more Americanized and that is not good. We also heard Mr. Takahiro Miyao, a Professor at the Center for Global Communications at the International University of Japan. He talked about Japan's economy. Of course, their big money makers are Nissan, Toyota, and Honda of which I own one of each. I didn't realize how much I was supporting the economy. The economy here is getting better after experiencing some problems for a few years.

We had lunch after that. My Alaskan friend, Debbie, said that we were in trouble because it was leftovers from last night. We had a good laugh about that. There are seasonings I just do not like here, not even counting the sushi! I ate some curried chicken that was good. I discovered tonight that I left the candy I had bought to bring---or else the maid ate it, because it is no where to be found! It depressed me. There are not many sweets here like we have at home.

Our last speakers had a sort of political debate with a moderator involved. One said that the present government had been in office for much too long. They kidded a lot good naturedly. One was a Diet member in the House of Representatives. The other was a former politician ( who said he didn't like politicians) and was now the Director of the Tokyo Star Bank. There were good points presented. There are many problems they are working on to solve in Japan, just like in the US.

Next, a man gave us three books, so I really like him. They will be great to use in my follow-on plan when I get back.

Tonight was dinner on our own, so a few of us went out and explored Tokyo. We ate funny food again with those funny chopsticks. The menu was entirely Japanese so it was anybody's guess what we ordered. We pointed to plastic food in the window. Here when you order an entree, everyone shares it. They bring you bowls and you dip in everyone's plate. I slurped the noodles(which is acceptable) and did not blow my nose at the table (which is unacceptable). I was able to do some shopping, but not as much as I would have liked.

We then wondered our weary bodies back to the hotel room to contemplate yet another exciting day in Tokyo. I finally got in touch with Darrell and talked to Kayla a minute. We have been using Instant Messenger, but until today I could not get a call through. Finally, I got an AT&T operator and told her not to hang up on me until I knew how to call. It is so complicated here! I booked a trip today to Mt. Fuji for Saturday, so that should be fun.

Gotta go and sleep a little before beginning again tomorrow. Sayonara!!