Weird Berlin.

The rain started in Berlin and went all the way to London and Paris. The experience was horrific. I went to Berlin Wall only to find out that it's only a tourist attraction at day time. It's completely hopeless at night. The signs weren't illuminated. To make it worse, Schoneberg is deserted. I read that Berlins nightlife is one of the best. But on a rainy Monday who would have guessed it was dead.

Two things stood out for me. One is the train s-bahn and u-bahn. I love the rail system in Berlin complicated yet easy to understand. Secondly, the people were nice. In particular the old lady who helped me navigate through the railway system. I talked with her all throughout the journey and learnt that she teaches German to foreign pupils. I got myself a quick session of the language with illustrations. She was nice and i realised that even though I wasn't able to see the historic places, sometimes going out to experience the warmth and hospitality like engaging with people is enough to satisfy my rainy journey in Germany.

Why I keep coming back to Tokyo?

My short but sweet days in Tokyo was really fun. Rain paused when I was there so I did enjoy strolling around Tokyo. Started off with fabulous two-michelin starred restaurant L'atelier de Joel Robuchon for lunch at Roppongi Hills.

Loved the quick stroll where we saw an overlooking sight of Tokyo Tower.

The food was great. They offer a delectable array for its five course meal of which I found La Feuillantine de Crabe and L'itoyori to be really exquisite.

Two brands I would have was exclusively looking for are Comme des Garcons and Burberry Black. The poshest place to look for designer brands is Ometesando. However I found that Comme des Garcons is not carrying the Black edition. Most of the designs they had were either too pricey or too abstract. I found that they have lots of good designs but it was really expensive so maybe next time.

I put my frustrated shopaholic self to rest by walking through Yoyogi Park-Harajuku-Shibuya. It was one hell of a walk. We've witnessed the last standing Sakura tree and an endless walk to the biggest crows I've ever seen.

Of course once you are at Harajuku - the street fashion alley. You will fall in love at every market stall you see and you literally just have to stop and look, appreciate the unique style. I regret not buying anything here cos I thought I can go back. I am hating myself for thinking that the next day is my all-inclusive shopping day. *ended up going out of town*

After the tiring window shopping at Harajuku finally I've seen some shops I'd like to see some anime toy kingdom, Margiella, Saint Laurent, Burberry Black, CDG MoMA etc… My stomach started growling. We've decided to eat at a Tonkatsu place which is heavenly. Its near the busy Shibuya crossing *perhaps 200m away* and it reminds me of the first Tonkatsu I've eaten a year ago in Shinjuku…

Went looking for an irish pub after the meal, its in the heart of Shibuya. My friend knows the manager and it was the start of the longest night in Tokyo. The drinks were pouring and the time seemed endless. I thought I danced in intervals whilst waiting for drinks and the hot spicy snack that got me all sweaty and crazy. Ended the night by carrying my drunk friend to my hotel and all 3 of us slept after a debacle on how to tame the shrewd. and for the record i still couldn't figure out who broke the phone in the hotel. Glad I didn't get charged though!

Next day with the worst hangover, I went to Kawaguchiko. That's the thing with deciding impromptu - you just go with what your heart is telling you. No need to think and no need to analyse. Went to Shinjuku and without a sweat I found the Keiko Highway Bus. The fastest way to Fuji 5 Lakes *less than 2 hours*

The day was promising and I started it off with a nice rotemboru *hot springs* i just loved how you soak yourself in the hot steamy water outside with mother nature. That took all the toxins away. After less than an hour I got bored and decided to go see Mt Fuji. Just when I was waiting for my bus ride it suddenly drizzled and the tour bus was saying that the Kachi Kachi ropeway was closed and Fuji-san is nowhere to be seen. *dark clouds rolled my aura* and I decided then and there to go back to Tokyo and start shopping! I hated Fuji-san for disappointing me second time around.

Shinjuku Isetan is a haven filled with all the brands I wanted but too little time and resource scarcity then decided that I go to Seibu Shibuya and buy two things on my wish list. Got myself Burberry Black (coat and bag) and new shoes from Y-3. And its all what I needed to buy.

Met my other friend for dinner at the obvious meeting point - Hachiko. You can never go wrong. Its the ultimate meeting place. We decided to dine in a quiet Izakaya in Akasaka. Then she helped me buy my green tea products and souvenirs at a closely shop. We both liked the shop when we visited this place before. We never realised that we are talking about one and the same place, and it is Picasso.

I have an early flight the next day to Beijing so I slept in. My body can't tolerate another drunken night but if I have more time I would have loved going to Shinjuku and time stands still in a place where you forget frustrations, problems and lose yourself wholeheartedly. and that's why I keep coming back to Tokyo.