<In the City> Homebody.

On perfectly London-esque overcast days, I feel this surging desire to just stay put in my bed all day, except to get some chamomile tea and dark chocolate and use the lady's room. Such longing is intensified when you must continue to go to work despite a severely congested sinus and insufferable sneezes.

Today is such a day. I wish to be just in bed all day. Alas, fast-forward 30 minutes from now, I will be madly sprinting out of my apartment, forgetful of either my cellphone or my wallet, furious at the elevator for not coming faster, exasperated at the continuous cold, cold weather. 

<photo by me>

<Out of the City> Tokyo, Japan: Two.

In contrast to the vividly dynamic and uniquely eclectic glitz of Tokyo, the city also embraces areas of simple serenity that are absolutely beautiful. I found the soothing spirits of these places quite indelible.

<photos by me>

<Out of the City> Tokyo, Japan: One.

Tokyo is like a facsimile of Seoul in more ways than one. In many other ways, the two cities wear completely different faces. Japan has been known to be very culturally similar to Korea, possibly due to the two countries' long, intertwined history.

What I find most charming about major Asian cities are their multitudes of layers.  It's as if you're gleefully pulling out an endless number of colorful sheets from a box. That and a million other reasons make traveling so irresistible.

So you are in Tokyo.  With the will of a tenacious tourist, you take that next step forward with your aching feet that even a pair of Nike cannot aid. Then, in a quick moment, you suck in a wisp of air and tilt your head ever-so-slightly. The glittering skyscrapers peel back to reveal the everyday lives of Japan. The backdrop paints a melted concoction of lights, people, and personality. As you wander around the city all day, you are constantly lost in various cultures and decades of time.

A collection of random shots of Shibuya, Harajuku, Akihabara, and Shinjuku.

<photos by me>