Shinjuku

Today we made our way from Disney to Shinjuku.  Now that was a train adventure!  It wasn't a long trip.  It just turned out to be at the same time that a million other people would be riding the train.  Complete overload.  Dragging kids and suitcases through the rushing crowds is no easy feat.  Especially when you have no idea where you are going, can't read the signs, and are really just trying to stay out of everyones way.  Brian is good about mapping out our route before we leave so at least he has that to help navigate our tribe through the chaos.

I have seen some really neat things on this trip.  Today I got to see another.  As we were standing in the middle of Shinjuku station looking lost, a gentle older man came by to ask where we were going.  Brian told him where we were headed and asked how to get to the bus.  He pointed in the direction of the bus, and then said it was about 5 minutes down the road to just walk.  Then, he walked us there.  Yes, this kind man carrying an umbrella and a shopping bag walked us down the crowded streets of Tokyo.  He led us to the end of the street where we would see the giant Godzilla head and then bid us farewell and disappeared into the crowd. It was a very special thing.  I love when humans do good things for each other.  I love that Fiona was there to see his gesture as well.  

Now, back to the story.  Our hotel is really hard to miss.  There is a ginormous Godzilla head on the roof. 

It looms over the city and roars once every hour.  The girls were pretty excited about it when they saw it.  Neither has seen Godzilla but they know who he is.  I'm assuming he is a he?  Anyway, this is the smallest room I think we have had yet.  We have 2 double beds which will be cozy with 4 of us.  So far it's fine.  The girls are done sleeping in the same bed.  At least if we want to have both of them survive this trip.

We ventured out for some noodles for lunch and found some great soup with noodles just down the street.  The kids got the cutest kids' meal and it came with a Pez. 

Two happy girls for sure.  Fiona was dying for noodles.  She has really done well with her eating this trip.  She has been brave and tried new things and found out that she likes more than she thought she did.  Mack has been dying for sushi.  Believe it our not, we ended up at Genki Sushi for dinner. 

This was a first for me.  Fiona doesn't do sushi, but she found the perfect sushi for her.  Cheeseburger sushi.  She was stoked.  She ordered 2.  

I got ahead of myself.  We took the train to Shibuya tonight and experienced the Shibuya Crossing.  The busiest intersection in the world.  It was.  Add in rain and everyone holding an umbrella and you have a crazy maze of people to dodge.  I was so overwhelmed that I had a hard time even finding a place to stand to gather myself.  Keeping track of kids, keeping umbrellas from poking my face, and trying to keep up with the flow of foot traffic was more than any of us are used to.   It's exciting and something I love that the kids got to experience. I just couldn't do it every day.  This walk is what led us to Genki Sushi and then eventually to a little shopping which Fiona enjoyed. On the way we also got to stop by the Hachiko statue.  If you haven't seen the movie Hachi, see it.  Get tissues.  Lots of tissues.  It's based on the movie Hachiko Monogatari which I have not seen.  It's an amazing story of love.

Traveling back to the hotel at 10:00 was no less crowded or crazy.  I'm wondering if these people sleep.  We were not interested in being part of the night scene here as it seems a little racy near our hotel, so we headed up to get the kids to bed.  I am so exhausted.  I think Disney is catching up with me and the mental overload from the chaos here is tiring.  I can only imagine what it is like in Mackenzie's head.  At least the rail system isn't confusing here.

Tomorrow.  Harajuku!!!