ATMs & Foreign Curry-encies

We went to the American embassy in Tokyo so Drew and Alisha could get their marriage license. This entailed going through 4 levels of security; two sets of metal detectors, getting frisked twice, questioned, and having all our electrics confiscated until we left. While going through all this, I couldn't help but think of the trope of a foreigner dashing to their embassy in an attempt to escape an angry mob. They'd need a much bigger head start that depicted to not get mobbed.

Our business at the embassy complete, we returned to Shinjuku and began looking for an international ATM so we could get some food and begin our trip to Haruno, where I would be living with Alisha and Drew. This proved exceptionally difficult. It was only after an hour of hungrily searching different banks and malls that we stumbled upon an understanding security guard who took us down a nearby fight of stairs, through an underground corridor, and to a small door labeled with international ATM symbols. A place we would have never found on our own. Although, had we found the atm sooner, I would have never walked into the mall that had Deep Blue Sea playing over their speakers; a song written by Austin's own Bob Schneider. Not to knock Mr. Schnieder, because I personally think he is a great musician, but hearing a Texas musician being played in a mall half way around the world completely validated the saying, "Everyone's big in Japan."

After a little more walking, we had a celebratory dinner at a curry buffet we stumbled upon. At 1550 yen, the curry was great, but it later became apparent that the spices would be leaving via our pores; we smelled strongly of garlic and cumin. Fortunately, my sweater seemed to be masking the worst of it, and after the four hour train ride to Kakegawa and hour drive to Haruno I was able to take a nice hot shower, but not before offending the noses of many other passengers on the train, I'm sure.