トイレはどこですか。

"We travel to have enlightening experiences, to meet inspirational people, to be stimulated, to learn, to grow." Rick Steves.
I'm in full travel mode, safe and sound in Tokyo. My friend Alban says there are two types of people, the ducks and the chickens. The ducks migrate and travel, the chickens don't travel, they lay their eggs and take care of their young. He says I'm the duck! =) It's 5:30 am and I just awoke in Alban's apartment. The view from my room looks out over the Tokyo skyline. What a life! Alban moved to Tokyo with his girlfriend Claire about a year ago. I met him back in my Hermosa Beach days and we've been friends ever since. He is in charge of the Asian region for a French sparkling juice company and she works for a French architectural firm. They are both French and of course, their wine refrigerator is almost as large as their food refrigerator.

Lets rewind back a day, a long day. And don't worry I'm not going to describe every day in detail, just the most worthy ones. At the airport in Honolulu, I was approached by a customs officer. He asks,"Where are you traveling? Are you traveling alone? How much cash, travelers checks did you bring? And how many bags did you check?" I answer, "Japan, Bali, and Thailand. Alone. Hmm... let me check...$2. And I didn't check any bags." So he gives me this look, hands me back my passport and says, "you're crazy, you know that right?" Ahhh shucks.
My flight over was a breeze. This is where I met Gibby. Gibby is originally from Philly, but has been a bouncer for the past 8 years in Honolulu and is off to see his girl in Japan for a few weeks. I slept little on the plane and made the mistake of watching the moving My Sister's Keeper. Disclaimer: Boys! Do not watch this movie with girls around, I cried for a good hour and trust me, I fought it!
Landing in Tokyo I discovered that my ATM card doesn't work at 90% of the ATM's. But thank heaven for 7-Eleven in downtown Tokyo, it finally worked! Gibby decided to tag along, or I decided to tag along with Gibby, in case my card never worked. I would have ended up in China if it weren't for Gibby's japanese. I know I know, I may sound like a stupid American, but I thought all kids in Japan were taught English at a young age. Wow, was I wrong. I was also thinking I might run into some Ninjas and Samurais. Wow, was I wrong ;)
My flight landed at noon. And with the help of Gibby's friend Shiho, we deciphered Alban's address, and I made it just before night fall. Shihu and Gibby introduced me to Kamo Soba, a duck noodle dish, and taught me a few greetings to help me on my way. Alban explained to me that if you ask someone for directions in Japan, they will walk you across town until you find it. Shihu guided me all the way to Alban's apartment and made sure I met Claire. Arigato!

I may have to buy a rain jacket, apparently there is a Typhoon headed for Japan today. In Maui that would probably ruin my day but in a city like Tokyo there are still tons of things to do.
Btw, トイレはどこですか。means Where is the toilet? My parting shot is of the buttons on the toilet at Alban's apartment, I'm yet to learn to use them but he reassured me he would teach me today =)