We didn't have much time from the end of breakfast to the start of the divine worship service at the church. We quickly got ready and I was able to write the directions on a piece of note paper that was provided by the hotel.
We walked to the station and were told to get on to the JR Line towards Harajuku. Harajuku is the same station we took to visit the Meiji Shrine last Tuesday. Once we exited we crossed one of the main roads. As we were walking down the street Sherryl notices that this area also has high end brand stores. I immediately see Niketown and the long line awaiting its opening.
After a brief mishap we were able to find the church. Tokyo International SDA Church is located on the ground floor of Tokyo SDA Church. The top floor is for the Japanese Language service and the ground floor is in English.
Once we entered the church we were greeted by a filipino member and Sherryl signs us both in the guestbook. We were then escorted to our seats. After a few minutes I had to use the restroom and when I came back it was time for the pastoral prayer. We all kneeled, which was fine and normal, but the floor was made of hardwood. Initially it did not bother me but the prayer started getting really long and my knees, which took a beating in Thailand, started to ache. I actually grimaced in pain and was on all four before I just toughed it out and got myself erect. Finally the prayer ended and I went back to sit next to Sherryl.
The sermon was great and the pastor who gave it is from back home. After the sermon we kept getting asked to stay for lunch. I am not a fan of potlucks and I asked Sherryl what she wanted to do and she told me it was up to me. I decided to stay to be polite.
We both ate but surprisingly none of the filipinos that were there really went out of their way to speak to us. We ended up socializing with Asumi and Motoki. Asumi is a 21 year old nursing student and Motoki is a 44 year old who spent 10 years in the States and earning two degrees from Union College and Oregon State University,
It was nice that they went out of their way to converse with us. Honestly, in my experience Filipinos in general who I meet overseas really do not want to socialize with me. Once they hear my accent and realize that I am not from the homeland the more they seem intimidated.
After lunch we got up and made our way out of the church. Niketown was right there and we decided to look around. There was a big line on both the first and second floors and I found out it's because of the new Jordan's that were released as well as the his new shirts that were being sold on the 2nd floor. It's been over 10 years since he last played and in a country so far away from the US his stuff is still selling. I guess everywhere around the world the people still love Michael.
I end up buying one nike shirt with the word TOKYO emblazoned on the front. Sherryl wanted one too but they did not have her size.
After leaving Niketown we left Harajuku altogether. After arriving at Shinjuku station we make our way to Lumine EST to have brunch at Slappy Cakes which is a famous breakfast chain from Oregon. We make our way to the 7th floor and noticed that the restaurant was packed. We were told to wait and after 15 minutes we were escorted to our table. We look at the menu and noticed that it was much cheaper than Sarabeth's and the portions look to be much bigger.
I ended up getting the traditional breakfast and Sherryl orders a Chicken/Mushroom Omelet Skillet. We also get an order of peanut butter based pancakes with butter scotch chips and apples. Sherryl orders the waitress to bring the pancakes after our meal.
This meal was great. My plate was huge and the pancakes that arrived were the best yet. Sherryl also agreed that eating here is better than Sarabeth's.
After eating we head back out to our room to relax and start doing laundry. It took a while but we got it done. There's a washing machine on the 7th floor of our hotel.
At around 8:30 PM we head out to Roppongi to have dinner. I wanted Mos Burger and Sherryl wanted to see Tokyo Tower again from a distance. During the evening the tower is illuminated and looks really nice.
We make our way to Roppongi and notice that since it's Saturday night it's crazier than the last time we were here. We make our way to Mos Burger and I order what I normally order at the Mos Burger in Bangkok. In Roppongi a lot of the fast food places are multi storied and you have to make your way to the 2nd floor to dine in. We do just that and the burger tasted the same but the soda I got definitely was not Coke but a Japanese Brand of Cola.
After dinner we walk towards the tower and take some photos. It's unfortunate that Sherryl and I can't take photos together unless it's a selfie. Nevertheless we make the best of it and some of the photos we take are some of the best yet.
We leave Roppongi and make it back to Shinjuku station. Sherryl keeps telling me that she's craving cake. Cake? Like a birthday cake? She replies yes. We find a cafe that has great cake and we dine there for a few minutes. I don't know the name of the cake but it was good.
Finally we're back at our hotel. It's time to pack and within a few hours we're going home.
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