teamEggers

Yokohama Wifi

This is a message to the future-Michelle and all other hopeful, displaced technophiles living in Yokohama.  You may be wondering … “where’s the wireless internet in yokohama?”  “Why are there no cafes with wifi in yokohama?”

I, myself, asked those questions.  I twittered. I googled.  I despaired.

But then, there was hope.  There’s actually a whole lot of free wifi in Yokohama!

After Jill discovered Cafe Creo (behind SOGO), I had started hanging around Cafe Hula (in the Bay Quarter), whose hot malasadas are to die for.  They also have Hawaiian lunch bowls for around  $8.  Though the music left something to be desired, it was a pretty good spot.  It even has power outlets. (The outlets at Cafe Creo were sparse).

Feeling confident with my new found wifi, the streets of Yokohama opened up to me.  Yesterday I visited Cafe Flower. With its English menu (see crazy english above), power outlets, little dogs, and booze, it may just be the best place in yokohama to work remotely.

For $6 I had “Okinawan Taco Rice” which seems to be the Japanese take on Mexican food. I tell you, these “Hamakkos” (that’s a yokohama person, in japanese!) are on to something! I think I’ll have to recreate this at home.

So. Future self. There IS wifi in yokohama. In fact, there’s wireless internet in tokyo all over! Check out the semi-english map on freespot for a full list.

Hanami

One of the more base reasons that I love the japanese is how fully they embrace drinking in public. This is a culture that has a specific word for drinking in the park under the cherry tree blossoms. (hanami)

While we weren’t *sitting* in the park (we were walking along a canal), we did partake in the drinking and the sakura-oggling. I believe this was my first Hanami experience.

Also, I think I’m back to drinking an unhealthy amount of coffee. I must have 36oz / day. And I don’t even get a rush off of it any more, that’s just the minimum amount required to function properly. Man. I’m a junkie.

Nathan (a new friend), Jon and I wandered along the canal of Meguro for a few hours. Lined with cafes and shops on either side, Meguro was a lovely place to stroll. I’ll definitely come back to this area – I think Elizabeth would really enjoy it as well. (That’s me on the right and Nathan on the left)

They set up these lanterns all over under the cherry trees. I’ve seen them in other areas, so the practice must be fairly common. I didn’t realize that they were ads until this evening! The words on the front correspond to businesses in the area. (We saw an English one in front of the restaurant in which it belonged) Really cool advertising idea!

I also didn’t realize that they were lanterns until this evening. The cherry trees illuminated at night are pretty incredible.