See you all next Wednesday in class,
Gabriel
It would appear that Tokyo has always been the amazing metropolis that we know, but the truth is that Tokyo is the capital city of Japan just since 1868 when the emperor decided to move his residence from Kyoto to Tokyo converting the old Edo Castle in the actual Imperial Palace of Japan,
During the Second World War Tokyo suffered really hard times, but from the 50’s the city was completely rebuilt, it was called the “economical miracle”, and it didn’t stop till the city became one of the most populous cities in the world.
When you arrive Tokyo for the first time you feel like in a science fiction film, everything is so soaring that your eyes are not enough to capture every building, every light, and every little detail, because everything looks so new and exciting for you.
The area of Shinjuku, full of skyscrapers, is in the heart of Tokyo, and is probably the best strategic point to visit the rest of the attractions. The Shinjuku underground station is the busiest in the world, and you will have to choose between more than 200 exits, but don’t worry, it’s not so difficult to find yours.
In Shibuya you can find a huge number of nightclubs and karaoke’s, and there is no doubt that is the funniest area of the city. If you decide to going out some night, definitely Shibuya is the place to be. The popular Shibuya Cross is simply spectacular
Ueno Park, the most famous in Japan, deserves one whole day because it includes some special temples, beautiful views, funny buskers, the national museum of Tokyo, and even a zoo!
Akasuka is the traditional neighbourhood of Tokyo where you can visit Sensoji Temple, the most important Buddhist temple in the city. Around the temple you can find a delightful street market where to buy Japanese craftwork, sweets, or even tacky and kitsch souvenirs that you never expected to find there.
Yoyogi is the trendiest area of the city; there you will find young designers shops, local artists, and a crazy mixture of urban tribes hanging around.
If you want to escape a couple of days from the bustling of Tokyo you should visit Kyoto, known as the cultural capital where you will visit incredible places like the Golden Pavilion.
Japanese people are extremely hospitable. They will help you to find any place; even they go with you to make sure you don’t get lost on the way. The food is varied (not only Sushi as many people think) cheap and delicious. It would seem that everything is clogged because there’s so much people, but everything works perfectly, the train always arrives at time, the underground smells nice, and streets are so clean that you could walk barefoot.
I could tell you scores of anecdotes, but i will choice a simple one: Japanese’s are very careful with their appearance, specially with their hair, but I never expected to go to a nightclub and find a hairdresser’s next to the dance floor!
Definitely, Japan is another world.
Pedro.
Edinburgh is a magic and romantic city where narrow and frightening passages and corners live in harmony with huge streets, beautiful gardens and parks, and elegant buildings with big windows without curtains, expecting a bit of sun shine.
One of the highest place is the Castle, located on an extinct volcano, which offers a fantastic view of the city, and whose walls ooze stories and legends about Queens and Kings and the eternal fight between Scottish and English people.
At the end of Royal Mil
e is Holy Roodhouse, the magnificent palace-museum which is today the Queen’s house in Scotland.
Carlton Hill is other high point in the city with important monuments and a fantastic view of Leith, the renovated port with own identity.
Scottish cuisine is not very brilliant, although desserts are excellent, but Edinburgh has a extensive offer in restaurant from other countries, and It would be unforgivable to forget the typical “fish and chips”, eaten walking in the streets or sitting in any park, and the welcoming pubs, the perfect place to enjoy a pint of good beer.
Princes Street is the perfect place for “fashion victims”, where it is possible to visit elegant and famous shops, observe the Castle and listen to bagpipe musicians playing in the street, at the same time. Royal Mile and Victorian Street are other places where it is possible to find malt whiskey, cheese, cashmere and traditional and modern kilts. It is remarkable to observe how proud are Sco
ttish people of this garment. They wear it in weddings and special social events, but nowadays young people tend to wear modern and fashion kilts in daily live.
Edinburgh celebrates every year in the Castle, two special events: The Hogmanay, on the first of January with hundreds of fireworks, and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, in August, where British and international military bands perform their best.
If you love the bagpipe sound like me, this is the wonderful, spectacular and perfect show.
Celia Polo
