Miami, Florida – July 2012
I spent a week in the beautiful, sunny shores of Miami
Espanola Way:
Spain had just won Euro 2012. Interesting fact – around 65% of Miami’s population are native Spanish speakers.
Miami is a haven for tiny dogs – they’re everywhere. This was a petstore called Les Petits Puppies.
Too cute.
When in Rome.. McDonald’s for breakfast! The McGriddle, which we don’t get in the UK. Deceptively filling:
In case you’re wondering what a McGriddle is made up of – egg, cheese, sausage, sandwiched between pancakes filled with syrup..
South Beach (also known as Miami Beach)
It’s no myth that American portions are HUGE. How and why one person needs so much food is beyond me.
Nikon, taken with a Canon:
Miami has got to have the highest percentage of modified cars in one place – it’s like being in a hip hop video. I even saw a car bouncing up and down as it went down the street. I thought that only happened on TV!
Dubstep originates from my home town in London, so this t-shirt got me excited. Shame he hadn’t heard of any of the pioneers such as Skream and Benga!
Early morning on South Beach
Unfortunately the serenity is somewhat ‘ruined’ by the air adverts flying past continuously, yet they add to the hugely commercial and materialistic atmosphere (not necessarily a bad thing).
The range of tanning oils is neverending. Some of these have an SPF of 4.. how that is meant to add any protection in the Miami sun..!
The famous Ocean Drive on July 4th
On July 4th, a random woman saying “Happy July 4th!” to people hears me talk and says “you’re from Britain! Do you celebrate July 4th over there?”.
Guy next to her: “Of course they don’t. We’re celebrating getting away from Britain”
Woman: “Really?! I didn’t know that! Do you at least have fireworks? I know someone from the UK. Actually, he’s from somewhere near the UK.. Africa or something?”.
Thought I’d share that dialogue.
In the UK, we have Oreos – just one type. In the US, you have this. Cool Mint, Strawberry, ‘Creamsicle’ (not nice), Peanut Butter (amazing), Triple Double, Double Stuf, Birthday Cake, Reduced Fat (seriously?), Cakesters, Heads – Tails, Ice Cream, Cremes.. the list goes on.
This graffiti was in a part of town called Wynwood – famous for its murals.
I love these kind of murals – not commonly seen in the UK to this degree.
They asked someone to take a photo of them, so I took one too – very friendly bunch. (Hello Mercedes!)
London could do with a bit of Miami heat right now.
Japan – March 2012
Tokyo by night – 45 floors up.
Used my bag as a tripod – this was the best I could do.
I could fill a book with subway shots
Yodobashi Camera (http://www.yodobashi.com/) – the most extensively stocked camera store I have ever seen. It sold the kind of things you’d find in specialist shops, except this is a chain store.
Around 100 different camera straps:
Seriously, this place is heaven for anyone with an interest in photography, and technology in general.
It also stocked a wide range of film – I don’t think any single shop in London has this kind of availability. It’s not the cheapest place in the world, but then this is Japan. This particular store was just next to Akihabara Station.
Tokyo Subway has phone reception yet you won’t find people talking on the phone. That’s considered rude.
Meiji Jungu Shrine
Harajuku – the Tokyo equivalent of Camden
There’s one particular Japanese phrase I learned to say – ana tano shashimo totemo ideska, kudasai?
It means ‘Can I take a photo of you please?’ – it got giggles of surprise from everyone I asked including these girls.
If you think Oxford Street is busy, visit Harajuku.
A genius concept – capsule hotels:
This was Tokyo Kiba – one of the few capsule hotels that allows women in (I took this clumsily at around 3am hence the rubbish shot – gutted I didn’t capture anything better!)
The idea is that you can check in if you’re left stranded, for example if you miss the last train home. You get given pyjamas, slippers and a locker, and Kiba had showers, a jacuzzi and other facilities like vending machines selling underwear and shirts.
Clearly catering for office workers or ‘salarymen’ as they’re known. The inside of the capsule had a tiny TV, internet connection and was surprisingly large – http://www.tanya-n.com/Japan2012/capsule.jpg
Definitely a unique Japanese experience that I’d recommend to anyone!
At 4am we walked to the Tsukiji Fish Market – the largest in the world.
Another unique experience – the tuna auction
6am – sushi for breakfast
I’m not normally a sushi fan but this stuff was absolutely amazing.
I wish I had the name of this place so I could mention it – it was across the road from the fish market.
CoCo Curryhouse – loved this place (http://www.ichibanya.co.jp/index.html)
Engrish:
Radiohead’s King of Limbs.. or King of Rimbs! http://www.tanya-n.com/Japan2012/IMG_5118.jpg
Probably the most absurd thing I have come across – Japan’s Cat Cafes. Stumbled past this one called Neko Cafe – www.nekojalala.com
The idea is that you pay by the half hour to spend time with cats – playing with them, feeding them, generally chilling with them, while having a coffee.
A surreal concept, and I actually found the experience quite annoying for some reason. The cats were so pampered they would barely respond to you stroking them.
Definitely something to try in Japan though – just for the experience if nothing else
D=
Took the shinkansen (bullet train – one of the fastest in the world) from Tokyo to Osaka
Osaka
I have to mention this restaurant called Ichiran Ramen – you won’t find better ramen anywhere else.
Another very Japanese thing – plastic food displays in the windows of pretty much every restaurant.
Taito Station – best games arcade ever, with branches all over Japan.
The famous Glico Man in Osaka:
Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka
These were all juniors
The place began to fill up as more of the famous wrestlers came on
It was an amazing experience watching these guys
Asashoryu Akinori – one of the most famous sumo wrestlers – was in the crowd
He signed my ticket : )
The atmosphere was great, and it’s the kind of event you just have to be at to really appreciate.
