After messaging Zac I continued about my day, wandering around Tokyo.
While wandering around Tokyo I discovered that the translation feature of the AR glasses was amazing. Having real time subtitles made me feel like a spy. Because I could see exactly what people were saying even if I could only hear a whisper.
In the evening I was back at the hotel for dinner. I wanted to have dinner out but the amount of choices was immense and I didn't know what was good where. Plus I didn't want to get lost at night.
Dinner was good but it was similar to breakfast, I'd like a little more variety in the meals they serve. This hotel restaurant doesn't have a menu, it only has what the chef is making for that meal.
During the meal I got a message from Zac he said, "Hey! It's been a while. I have work almost everyday, but if you want to come in and help, we can catch up then."
I replied, "Yeah. That sounds cool, let's do that. Does tomorrow work? If so, what time?"
"Tomorrow is fine. I get to the shop at 4:00 AM and open at 6:00 AM. I close the shop at 6:00 PM. The address is…"
"Then I will try to be there in the morning. I don't know how long it will take me to get there so I can't give you an accurate time."
"Thats fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yep, see you tomorrow."
I went to sleep early that night.
…
The next day I got up at 3:00. I got ready and left quickly. The trains were not running yet so I had to take a taxi.
The taxi ride was 30 minutes long and dropped me off at the front of a shopping district.
The shopping district was well lit with bright and pretty colors with lots of people still active from the night before. There were a few bars that were still open with guests drinking away. There were even a few drunk middle aged men sleeping in the alleyway nearby.
I made my way past the debaucherous crowd and headed toward Zac's place, Touka Cafe. Touka means peach blossom, so peach blossom cafe. I would guess he wants a peaceful environment.
I got to the place. The sign was a dark wood plaque with soft pink calligraphy carved into the wood. Cool. It definitely stands out compared to the flashing and bright neon signs littering the street.
I didn't know whether to knock on the front door or go around to the back. I decided to just knock on the front door first, which was a full pane of glass.
After knocking I stood there for a moment before I saw movement from inside.
Zac popped his head out from the kitchen. He then smiled like the morning sun and waved like a goofball.
He came over and unlocked the door. When the door opened he said, "Hey man. It's been a long time. How's it been?"
"Good, man. Good. How about you?"
"I've been doing alright. Why don't you come inside?"
We gave each other the dap up shoulder hug with two pats on the back.
Then I said, "You're here pretty early, is the boss demanding, or do you own it?"
"Haha, both I guess, I'm the most demanding boss there is."
"You? Yeah sure you are. I like the sign; it's very classy. Unlike the others."
"Yeah, Yamato really does have a sign problem, but I do like the way they look at night."
"Yeah I do too."
We walked back to the kitchen and Zac handed me a hair net and said, "You can wash your hands over there."
"Ok. Yeah, my hair is kind of long."
"That's long for you now? I remember what it used to be like in high school."
"Right. I forgot my hair used to be that long."
My hair in high school was really long, midway down my back long.
I said, "You know, I didn't even cut my hair until I started accidentally sitting on it. Once that happened I decided it was time for the hair to go. So I got it cut and donated it to a children's non-profit where they give the wigs away for free."
"Really? That's cool."
"Yeah. But not as cool as riding around Yamato on a motorcycle. How did that go?"
"It was actually really good. There are motorcycle cafes around that I was able to stop at and get my picture taken to be put up on their wall. I was able to meet lots of good people, one of which was a girl I dated for a while. But, overall it was good. I recommend it."
"I'll have to see about doing it then. I have some work to do, but after that I could look into it."
"Oh right, you said you were here for a few days. Is that for work?"
"Yeah, I'm opening a manufacturing business here. It is a lot of money, but your government has some great programs that will help me with the start up."
"That's great. Is that in Tokyo, or somewhere else?"
"Somewhere else. The program was about reintroducing industry to more rural areas that need jobs. I figured it was a win - win situation."
"Yeah… you'd think so, wouldn't you?"
"Why? Is there something wrong with it?"
"Not really wrong? But, I don't think it will be as easy as you think."
"Why?"
"Well lately there has been growing sentiment that the government is favoring foreigners and that foreigners are to blame for most of the recent problems. Which has been blown up in the news from all of the tourists doing stupid things and being disrespectful."
"Isn't that just a generalization and a gross one at that?"
"Yeah, it is. It's not like a majority of people believe that. But, if we are talking about rural areas that only have the media's say so? Then they might not be so perceptive to the idea that a foreigner is opening a business for all of them to work at."
"Yeah. I guess so. I hope you're wrong."