More pics because today was suprisingly nuts.

HEY.

TODAY WAS THE ANNUAL ASAKUSA SAMBA FESTIVAL.

THAT'S RIGHT. A SAMBA FESTIVAL. THE DANCE.

A 7-hour parade went right by the front door of my hotel. The streets were packed:

And the traditional Japanese sterotype of polite, quiet folk completely disappeared today. Gradmothers, small children, skinny little men throw elbows, shoulders, their body weight at you if they thik you're too slow or in their way. Definetly the most aggressive crowd I've ever been in, surprsingly. But not to such a degree to distract from the event, just surprising from such a fanatically polite people.

The costumes etc. were crazy, reminded me of pics I've seen of Carnival in Rio. The few photos that came out well don't do the event justice, but as soon as I figure out how to post the video I took with my wee lil camera, I will; it's pretty great.

Anyway, hit the streets afterward in pursuit of a new pair of headphones. Paid around $25 for what may be the best pair of headphones I've ever had. I heart this country.

Went out to dins alone since everyone else was out partying and I was committed to finding a pair of headphones before I left. Left the resturant and the street looked cool, not Shibuya or Roppongi cool, but interesting nontheless: