While you all are just settling back into the comfortable routine that is Amherst, let me give you a taste of the craziness that is Tokyo, Japan. I'd have to say that, even though I miss the many experiences Amherst has to offer in the spring, Tokyo is making up for it in a big way. The past month has been filled with good friends, great food and awesome trips.

Upon my arrival to Japan, and more specifically my dorm (hotel) Weekly Mansion Akasaka, I met up with my fellow Temple University, Japan (TUJ) students. One of them happened to be a sophomore that arrived three days earlier. She took me and a few friends to Shibuya. By that I mean she chose every wrong way to go, lost her train ticket and didn't even buy a cell phone, which was the whole purpose of the trip. Let's not forget the drunken businessman that dropped his wallet and rolled down the stairs trying to pick it up. In the end, my boy Nick and I navigated ourselves to and from Shibuya safely. Between the jet lag and this crazy debacle, our first night was pretty stressful. Thankfully, things only got better from there.

After all the school orientation stuff was done, we were shown around Shibuya, Shinjuku and Harajuku. There is a lot of shopping to be done in these areas, but it's extremely expensive. In fact, everything in Tokyo is extremely expensive. I thought I was poor when I was at Amherst, but apparently it doesn't have anything on Tokyo. Thanks to financial aid though, I can spend money like I'm Jeff Wan and be just fine.

Anyway, I've visited many temples, parks and other tourist attractions. I live 15 minutes from Tokyo Tower and I pass it everyday. I'm planning to go to the Imperial Palace and the fish market. The nightlife in Japan is something ridiculous as well. Don't get me wrong, I love our drunken debauchery in the social dorms. Still, there's something different about partying in the city every night and wondering if you're going to make the last train home.

I'd have to say that one of the best nights I've had so far was during my second week here. My friend Leah had a Japanese friend of hers show us the bar scene in Shibuya. We ate at a restaurant where you had to take off your shoes. After that, we found an American pub and kicked it there for a while. Leah's friend knew a monk and invited him down to the pub. How many people can say they have discussed the meaning of life and world peace while drinking with a monk? I can.

TUJ threw an event for the students to get us acquainted with the traditional side of Japan. This of course included sake tasting. I, along with a slew of other students, gave a performance for those in attendance. Everyone liked it so much that I'm going to be singing on February and March 24 for various events. I'd have to say that everyone enjoyed the sake more. Many kids missed the last train, so we hung out around Roppongi until 5 a.m. This is probably the biggest entertainment district in Tokyo, so it is filled with foreigners. I wouldn't say a large group of impaired college students didn't stick out, we just didn't get as many awkward stares as normal. All of the clubs have Africans out front hustlin' you to come in. This gets especially annoying for me considering black people naturally talk to black people first. Just make sure you have money for the cab ride home if you can't wait for the morning train.

This is just a brief look into my life here in Japan. If you need to know more about what's going down or just want to write back, holla for a "Black Man in Japan" newsletter at cgillyard08@amherst.edu. Otherwise, expect to hear from me soon with more tales from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Much Love,

Citrus