The extra early morning was hard on everyone. Some quick breakfast, final checks and we rushed to the bus station. Bee has given me final directions (she kept worrying about me too much) and our ways parted at Ueno station. I was going further on my own. And the first stop was Ueno zoo.



animal planet)
First of all I must say that I arrived there like 2 hours before opening so I had much time to kill and I went out for walks in the ueno park. There are many museums around Ueno zoo, but as it was too early and holidays system I didn’t even bother to check whether I can get in. However one museum I saw a line forming waiting for the admission; however I’ve chosen to go for a walk instead of standing in line. Even besides going to the zoo, Ueno is very nice place to come for a walk/jog/picnic. I was really surprised to see many old grandmas and grandpas jogging around the area. To tell the truth I doubt that I can keep up with their pace for a long time XD.

When it was nearing the opening hour I went back to the main gate and omg! There were so many people there! But everyone just stayed in lines and waited without rush to get to the ticket box.

I really enjoyed ueno zoo. I remember my visit to the zoo in Wien and now Tokyo. I guess Kiev zoo can hardly be called zoo at all! It is more like torture place for all the animals

I was asked whether I’ve seen animals that I have never seen before – the answer is yes. This one) I still have no idea what the hell it is)

I think I’d like to go there once again in summer, to enjoy the lily pond view in warm summer sun)

The next stop was Tokyo station – Imperial palace! Actually the palace is closed to the visitors and you can walk only around it or in the nearest park. However on the jan 2nd every year (as well as on Dec 23 – imperators bd) anyone can come to greet the imperator. I didn’t know about it till I got one block away form the palace. There were no cars on the streets and many many people were heading towards the palace. And so I joined the crowd. We had to go through bag check and then body check before being admitted to the grounds. Everyone was so polite and nice. No rushing no pushing no fighting over who can get a better place. So simple and orderly. It was a pleasant view!

We all waited till imperator and his family came out to the balcony, listened to his short speech, waived flags and then left in the same manner as we got there – quietly and orderly!

And then it was time to meet Hiro. And old acquitance of mine. I was supposed to stay the night at his place in Shibuya as he owned me at least that much. He had hard time finding me at the subways exit, I think some people are simply hopelessXD
But once he found me we went back to shibuya. He got the sleeping bag for me XD yeah right, if I knew I could’ve brough the one I got from GH, but as he was to concerned about his hospitality pride he ever mentioned that he has no sleeping bag.
Then he asked me to go with him to Shibuya 109.
Shibuya 109 – seven circles of hell for me… shopping mall for cute Japanese girls. And at that time there were sales everywhwere so there wwere tons of girls running around. Noisy crowded and shopping in general – all the things that I am most fond of… luckily we didn’t stay that long in there.
Hiro has taken me to dinner and this time he paid. He-he…

When we go t to his apartment we drank some beer and I chatted with family via skype –first time since I got to japan. I also had to chat with his mom O_o and that was fun… he has fallen asleep before me and I went to bed around 4 am… it was cold and uncomfortable in his tiny room, but I was tired so I could fall asleep even if I were to sleep standing …