Bright Lights, Big Cities – Tokyo & Osaka

The wind down, usually such a downer, was made into a 2 night extavaganza that shouldered 2 crazy cities. We decided to go out with a bang after our 126 days on the road. Like we needed to nurse another hangover!

Our first order of business once we arrived at our bland but clean hotel was to hook up with our friends Tom and Marie. We consumed many “nama biru” and peppery chicken wings followed up by a very drunken “nomihodai” karaoke set. Nomihodai is an all you drink for 2 hours fixed price deal, a glorious thing when you feel the need to drink and sing. Something that happens quite often with Me and Laine, I’ve noticed! Teehee! The point is, it is a great time.

The next day, in extreme hangover mode, we couldn’t bring ourselves to regret our excesses. It was too bloody fun. I recall ramen breakfast, starbucks coffee and Harajuku were the order of events. A blurry yet satisfying day.

Next was Osaka, a great city. It is rock and roll. It isn’t the biggest city like Tokyo and it isn’t steeped in tradition like Kyoto. Osaka is a wicked good time. We checked into our cute and funky U-en Guesthouse and jumped into the fray. We had our last okonomiyake, we bowled (abominally, I might add) and we sang all our fave hits until quarter to 4am. It was the celebration of a trip of a lifetime. We patted ourselves on the back for a job well done and crashed. Today we didn’t sit on our laurels, we got up early and hit the town searching for last minute must-haves.

Now we’re all packed up and ready to be back on native soil. I certainly can’t say home, cause where the hell is that anyways?

Thanks to all who’ve followed our adventures. We’ll talk again soon. In Italy, perhaps?

Keep on,
LAiNE & ERiN.