Post Tokyo.

 (L-R) Kyle, Alyssa, Radley, Nancy. Kim, Yeon, Nada, Dan, Sarah, Paul, Mena, Simone, 

Greg, Jeff, Mike, Shaun, AKI, Kate, Josh, DC  

I had so much fun in Tokyo. It's an experience that I will never forget. I have met so many people who will forever be apart of my life. The reason I started this blog was for me to document my experience not only for myself, but for others who might not even have the inkling of exploring another country. I also wanted to show African-Americans a familiar face and let them know that study abroad is an opportunity that we must take advantage of. There are sooo many programs and destinations to choose from and the money is out there too. I hope that everyone enjoyed my adventures and learned somethings about me, Tokyo and me in Tokyo. Not so much a speech, but I wanna thank Dr. Brown, Study Abroad Advisor of Clark Atlanta University, the wonderful people at the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship , who help afford me this opportunity, Aki san, my dorm manager at Ontakesan, who at all times made me feel at home even though I was thousands of miles away and lastly all the students of Ontakesan, Takadanobaba, TUJ House and Temple University Japan. I wish everyone good luck on their life goals and I will truly miss everyone, even the ones who got on my nerves..lol.

Arigatou gozaimasu,

R. Dixon

Narita.

I am in the airport as I write. This airport is just as hot as Tokyo. The immigration line was soooo slow. In case you didn't break the bank while you were here in Tokyo, the moment you walk through immigration, you can still spend your money in Hermes, Bvgalri, Tiffany and take a shower. Now commence with he 14 hour nap.

Packing.

Still packing my life away, trying to make three bags become two. Any additional checked luggage is $220. Damn!

We got something in Common.

Here at Ontakesan we have an area called "The Common Room." It is where we chill, do homework, play Wii, eat. Everything. No matter what time it is there is always someone in the common room. I'm really gonna miss it.

Fooled Me.

The other day while I was on the train, I saw the sign below and I thought it was about to be on. Baked mac, greens, yams, potato salad, smothered chicken, fried chicken, cabbage etc. NOT NOT NOT!! I was completely wrong, they only served japanese food. DAMN!

Chinatown in Japan.

Today I went to Yokohama which has what some say is the largest Chinatown in the world. It indeed was a whole 'nother world. The people looked different talked different and dressed different. They also had a street called, which was a lil similar to Tokyo with a bevy of luxury shops and boutiques.

Beyonce Owns Tokyo.

1st I saw her on three billboards in Shibuya, then I say her take up a whole five stories on Omatesando and lastly when I was in Sukus getting something to quench my thirst she is even on the water. I declare it, Beyonce owns Tokyo.

Last Day.

Today is my last full day in Tokyo. I really don't wanna leave now. A couple of my other friends left for Vietnam yesterday and I truly felt sad because I really met some people that I am going to be friends with for life. I'm one suitcase down, two to go. I threw away alot of clothes, but made up for it with all the new ones I bought. I almost let a tear out. I can't believe this. lol

Naan.

I had back to back days of eating indian curry and some of the best naan I have ever tasted. It really surprises me how many Indian restaurants are here in Tokyo, they are everywhere. This place is at Togoshiginza stop on the Ikegami Line in the cut, on the second floor of a bar. Naan is on point and drinks are non stop. Also today was my last final and I have to face the fact that my journey here in Japan is coming to a close, I'm gonna miss it.

The Best Damn Ramen Shop Period.

On my way back from school everyday I always see a line that wraps around the corner of this shop. Come to find out the line is to one of the best ramen shops in Tokyo.

Its Like Beverly Hills.

Today was another free day for me so I did some shopping in Ginza. Ginza is the premiere shopping district in Tokyo and has many flagship stores. Its like Beverly Hills. The architecture is Ginza was crazy. It had some of the most beautiful modern buildings I've ever seen. Ginza has a host of upscale stores such as Pucci, Lanvin & Japan's own Mikimoto. They have three major department stores, but Matsuya Ginza is bar none, its sorta like Saks, not any Saks, but the Saks on 5th Ave in NY. I also went in the Sony store and played around like a kid with all the latest in electronics.

Custom Kicks.

I went to the NikeID store the other day. The whole store was filled with sneakers made by individuals to suit their liking. They quickly told me no pics like they do everywhere, but I still got one in.

Laforet.

Today in Harajuku, I went to Laforet. A 7 story building that has some of the hottest clothes and girls in it. Staples in the multi-level mall are Atmos, Bodie and Top Shop/Top Man. A must see.

$198 (Atmos)

Nike sneaker body suit

Audi Forum.

The Audi Forum is located between Shibuya and Harajuku. Its has all the latest Audi models and some classics. I was soooo happy. Anyone who knows me, know that I'm crazy about Audi's. There is 3 restaurants on the upper floors. The architecture is no joke. The building is sick.

2010 Audi S5

Chicken Flavored Ice Cream.

Today we also went to Namjatown, a fairly boring amusement park. The most interesting thing in Ice Cream City. Ice Cream City has every flavor of ice cream imaginable, things you couldn't even imagine here is a list of some:

Sweet Potato Ice Cream

Ox Tongue Ice Cream

Octopus Ice Cream

Curry Ice Cream

You get the idea. I tried the Chicken and it was one of the nastiest things I ever tasted in MY LIFE. It actually was Vanilla ice cream with cooked chicken...Fortunately the sweet potato which was pretty good.

Yakiniku.

Yesterday the dorm mates and I took a trip our dorm manager out for dinner down the Ikegami where we ate Korean bbq, Yakiniku. This beef couldn't have been nothing less than Kobe since we are in Japan. It was served with a tossed salad, soup, kimchi etc. It was so good.

Lets take it waaaaaaaaaaay back.

Out and about on a Sunday afternoon, some friends and I went to Shibuya to see if we could spot some Harajuku girls, but we came across THE GREASERS. Their Harleys were in the street and they were in their own world.

Exclusive.

Yet again Tokyo gets exclusive access. Not only does Japan has is very own Burberry labels I recently found out that the colorware North Face jackets that all the young japanese guys wear is only available here. The North Face has a line called, The North Face Purple Label, that breaks out of The North Face tradition with wild colors and patterns. The jacket shown below is an "IT" jacket. I'm buying me one tomorrow. Retail price $180-$300 US.

Available at Atmos & Nanamica (Harajuku)

The Meat Song.

This commercial is the song they play in the meat section of the supermarket every hour of everyday. The whole dorm knows the whole song, this is just a snippet.

@ 2:30a.

In the common room, everyone is loud we just woke Aki, the dorm manager, up.

Dan::On the computer looking @ skate stuff.
Kyle::Drunk
Naoki: Being his normal crazy self, he is a fixture at the dorm now.
Ricardo+Chuck+Jason+Brenden::Playing Smash Brothers
Kim:: On her computer
Mena::Laughing uncontrollably
Ryan::Eating soba
Dyan + guest::Playing Uno H20

The common room is poppin right now....stay tuned.