rêves d'une âme perdue: inclined confusion

The flights through barren, cold winds are gently eased away with warm, soothing baths. Splots of bubbles foam on the surface from a mixture of bath salts. The water engulfs my body. A heater warms the water. Again.

The bath can last forever! There's no need to get out, merely because the water has gotten cold.

I am in love!

Japan has been a series of nonstop adventures. We face a different course every day. Our patience is constantly challenged by the hordes of people we encounter. Some are outwardly rude. Their arrogance blinds them, while others are unspeakably sincere and kind. (The cashier at the Bic Camera Outlet went out of her way to retrieve the￥10 that Kirk dropped).

Our physical strengths are tested. We walk. We walk. We walk more, only to climb a series of unending stairs.

I am eternally grateful to Kirk for putting up with my nonsensical whims. He didn't complain about the 600 steps to Tokyo Tower. He didn't complain about me getting snacks/food, at every other corner. He didn't complain that he was sick. He tried to convince me he was better :/ sighhhh!

Kyoto in the morning.

Anxiously awaiting more challenges on our adventure abroad :]

The time is 3 AM. The time difference hasn't settled in yet, although it is a welcomed thing to wake up this early! I have time to reflect.

My current impression of Japan comes from snapshots found in films, anime/manga, food documentaries, and broken war images in history books.

I do not know what to expect. Guide books and travel blogs can only provide a glimpse into culture and life. I am eager to see everything to form my own perspective :]

Japan has already been overwhelming. The multitude of people on the subway and the crowds in the station restaurants are things I am not used to seeing. This is what I get for growing up in Sacramento. Haha. Still, the pure excitement I felt as we were landing remains. It will be like this for a while!

I am awestruck.

Japan is completely different from Vietnam. This is my first experience in another Asian country. I wonder what I will learn during this trip :3

• beer
• charcuterie
• cheese
• chocolate
• coffee
• pickles and preserves 

coffee love! :]

fresh coffee beans!

"whyy sooo serious?!"

After a few hours of browsing around, trying out the samples, and purchasing our favorites to bring home, we walked to Chinatown and Little Italy to explore. The walk was nice :] we found some interesting buildings and passed a variety of shops. I definitely prefer the feel of SF's Chinatown to New York's. It's less dirty. There were a good amount of people at the markets. I know it's Chinatown, but it made me think of the markets in Vietnam. And I miss the scents, noise, and feel of the early morning markets :[

We got some keychains and toys, like the Scarecrow and Joker one there :D
Somewhere around Little Italy, we spotted four hookers o__O IN DAYLIGHT!!! They were just hanging out in an alley by a bunch of strip clubs. HRM.

we went up a bunch of steps for this view! :]

and he got tired :[

I liked the turtle bread and crab bread from this display. TOO CUUUTE!! There was also a pet shop WITH THE CUTEST PUPPIES, EVERR! Makes a girl want a dog even more :[ Must wait for my future corgi. SIGH.