Sunday, July 31, 2011

Joey, have you ever been in a... in a Turkish prison?

Yes, Joey, I'm talking to you.

Pop Quiz:
What was the purpose of this trip?
A. Airplanes!
B. Vacation.
C. Had to use my miles before they expired.

How did I get there?
A. Airbus A330-300.
B. Boeing 777-200.
C. Cargo Ship.

In terms of packaging design, what am I the largest fan of?
A. When single use condiments come in tiny and fancy containers.
B. Easy-open designs.
C. Well thought out "out of the box experiences"

The answers were AAA... which is also what I purchased when my car broke down earlier this year.

Just to get a tow.

However! I've since called in an additional two tows, making it a slick deal. OK, let's chat airplanes. In the past I have made this claim, and stuck to it (at least for long haul flights).


This time however, the only option was Delta's A330-300...

^look at that ugly windscreen... ugh...

Why did I photograph a bathroom? WELL, if you recall my comment on "shower restrictions," this is where I broke free of such rules.

^The hostel I stayed at enforced traditional Japanese shower times... (5pm-11pm). Since I stayed out during those times, I was one hot mess. This is where the airport shower came to save the day/provide the best end to a trip... EVER.

After making myself presentable to the flying public, I ate. Note the tiny black cylinder on the plate.

^That is a bottle of Kikkoman soy sauce. Now, could one call this a complete waste of plastic? Yes, definitely. Did I love it and pocket a handful of them? Obviously.

Next, I proceeded to explore the terminals, which served KAL and DAL. I got lucky and found KAL's brand spanking new A380, which had just flown in from the Paris Air Show. The whale of a plane was boarding for its first ever passenger flight:


I stuck around to watch them tow it out. Then they held it on the taxiway to let a 747-400 by:

;-)

So how was the flight on the A330? It was fine... Delta really needs to finish their interior updates though. And for once, the passenger next to me was willing to chat! Even better, he was an Evergreen 747-100F Captain!!! Pilots are the best, we talked shop nerded out for most of the flight.

Monday, July 25, 2011

THIS AIN'T NO STINKIN' COLLEGE DORM RAMEN!!! and other things I consumed.


^but this is...

OK, so I may have overdosed on ramen on the trip...
but I <3 my noodle soups!
The first night we found this ramen shop in Shinjuku:


They had Tonkotsu ramen:


The following visit was to a tiny place where you order from a vending machine and hand your order slip to the chef:


This meal was had after a lol-tastic trip to a maid cafe
(AKA... Japanese Hooters/Money Trap):


Other things that happened... RIT REUNION!!! and delicious sushi.


OK, so there were copious trips to Japanese convenience stores. I will post a 7-Eleven/ Lawson/ Family Mart shoot-out next time I'm in Tokyo... but for now, a small selection of snacks:

I'm not exactly sure what this was... but it tasted like curry chicken. Actually, I'm pretty sure these are curry chicken Cheetos (currently my favorite meat-flavored Cheeto).


The packaging says it all...

^I'm a sucker of kawaii packaging design...
Don't even get me started on the new Yogurt Land cups...

Snacks that aren't Pocky sticks:

The two outer snacks were disappointing despite their endorsements. If you take Corn Pops cereal and coat them in icing, you'll have achieved the same.

The custard Koala's were the best out of the four.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Tokyo Photo Dump

I did not have much time for photos this trip, and when I did have free time, I was lazy... I will plan better in November, but for now, here is a lazy post of things I liked:

A little bit of Philly in Shinjuku:


The flight:


Yeah yeah, I really liked the view...


Tokyo at 5am:


The elevator lobby on each floor:


Three guys, a girl, and a dolphin:


Wandering for food at night:


ICE CREAM CREPES!!!

^and the lack/misuse of apostrophes!

Ridiculous shopping in Shibuya:


Fancypants shopping in Ginza!


A quiet Yoyogi:

A post on food will follow...

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Desynchronosis

It's 2:45AM. Ten days ago I left on one of these:


Reality:


My brain's interpretation on reality:

^Shinjuku

Trip highlights:
-Mini RIT reunion
-Awesome Namco-Bandai programmers
-Work
-Ramen
-Trains
-Shower restrictions
-Maid Cafés w/ Barclay bankers
-Nerding out with an Evergreen 747-200F Captain