Ameya-Yokocho: The Last Black Market

Mention "Ueno" and, more often than not, tourists would instantly think of Ueno Park and Ueno Zoo. But not a lot of people know about the last black market in Tokyo: Ameyayokocho.


"Ame" is short for "America", and the market was originally for selling American army goods after the second world war. Now, Ameyayokocho-- or Ameyokocho for short-- has opened up to an entire range of great bargains.

Japanese locals are usually very quiet and space-conscious, so it was a nice cultural icebreaker exploring a rowdy, crowded place where you can get good deals for clothes, shoes, souvenirs, street food and fresh sea goodies (a bag of maybe 6 big pieces of juicy salmon costs only 500 Japanese Yen). My eyes were wide open as I walked from stall to stall. I was especially impressed to see fruits on sticks (for at least 100 Japanese yen) as street food. I also had the best matcha ice cream to date. Of course, I tried eating as much as my pocket could handle it. Some vendors even made efforts to speak in Filipino! How refreshing.

The market is open daily from around 10:00am to 8:00pm. Try not to go on a Wednesday as a lot of the shops are closed during that day. Getting there, just take the Ueno Park exit (signs are very easy to read as this is a popular tourist area) and just look for the "Ameyayokocho" arch (you can refer to the first photo of this post).

Central Perk in China

If you've watched even just a couple of episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. then Central Perk is going to ring some bells! Obviously, the TV series was filmed in NYC, but if you happen to be in Beijing, China, you might want to visit a quaint, little replica of the famous cafe.



The owner did a pretty good job in copying the original and it's got the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. vibe all over the place, with framed photos of the cast on the brick walls, cupcakes named after the characters, a guitar to release your inner Phoebe and even a cat called-- you guessed it-- Smelly Cat. 

Culture Lessons

Not a lot of people know that I have moved to Tokyo, Japan. In fact, by tomorrow, June 29th, it will be exactly 3 months. I feel bad about not being able to update this blog as much as I should and want to, but I'm pushing myself yet again to change that (and hopefully, keep it consistent). I can't promise that things will be chronological around here, as I would love to share both recent and past adventures. It's better late than never after all!

Tokyo is actually known for having a lot of museums, and my first museum experience was at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, which features the British Museum's "A History of the World in 100 Objects". It was very interesting as the objects wove a story of how human creativity and innovation developed over 2 million years. What was more interesting, however, was the experience going through the whole museum with Japanese locals.

It was a Saturday, and the exhibition is only until the 28th, so it was expected that the place will be packed. And indeed it was, but it wasn't bothersome at all.

People were actually lined up in a very organized manner, going from one object to another. Nobody asked them to, they just did, and it was a very effective system. Everybody talked in hushed voices and patiently waited for their turn to view. To add, before entering the exhibition room, we were told that taking photos is not allowed inside, and I swear, I did not see a single soul defy this rule. There were even kids inside the museum and they weren't unruly or restless at all. The museum offers drawing boards to children so they can walk around to doodle the things that they see.

I am utterly amazed by the Japanese people's discipline and courtesy. Here, they stop and patiently wait for you to take a photo, voluntarily move to a different seat if your friend is sitting next to them so that you two will be seated together, keep their phones on silent mode so as not to bother others, wear masks when they have a simple cold or cough, follow traffic rules such as slowing down when there is a pedestrian lane, and always bear in mind to say polite words like "I'm sorry" (gomenasai), "excuse me" (sumimasen), "please" (onegaishimasu) and "thank you" (arigatou gozaimasu). I could go on and on but I'll probably just write more about this as we go along.

On a final note, as we embark on another busy week ahead, let's not forget to stop and be considerate to others. There are always little things that you can do to make this world a happier place. Goodnight, everyone. :)

Each passing day I am out exploring the world by myself do I come to learn about its diversity; some eye-opening, some liberating; some that lead me to a gazillion questions, and some which I am not in favor of. I then come to realize the importance of having an open and strong mind to withstand tests of character. To constantly remember that you always have a choice.

For what is each day but a series of conflicts between the right way and the easy way. ... You're in a fight against an opponent you can't see. Oh, but you can feel him on your heels can't you? Feel him breathing down your neck. You know what that is? That's you... Your fears, your doubts and insecurities all lined up like a firing squad ready to shoot you out of the sky, but don't lose heart. While they aren't easily defeated, they are far from invincible. Remember this is the grind, the Battle Royale between you and your mind, your body and the devil on your shoulder who's telling you that this is just a game, this is just a waste of time, your opponents are stronger than you. Drown out the voice of uncertainty with the sound of your own heartbeat. Burn away your self doubt with the fire that's beneath you. Remember what you're fighting for.

- excerpts from a motivational speech entitled "Rise and Shine". Been trying to search for the writer, but failed.

Also! I was fortunate enough to have time to go to mass again yesterday, and the homily closed with this thought: "Live today as if it were your last day. Live today as if it were your only day. Live today is if it were your first day."

I am more than happy to continue spreading sunshine in this world. May I never lose heart for it.

1 Year

I haven't written on this blog as much as I had wanted to, but I deem it only appropriate that I post on this very day, which marks my 1st year in China.


In a year, I have become smarter in getting around. (If you know me well, you would know I'm not the best person when it comes to directions). I have become more responsible in taking care of myself and of my own home. I've discovered I can still ride a bike and have conquered my fear of riding it on the busy streets of Beijing. I have experienced the four seasons. I have learned how to cook. I've ditched the gym and have become more disciplined in keeping fit by myself. I've ridden an overnight train and, not to mention, a camel. I've gone to the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Shanghai, Taishan Mountain, Inner Mongolia, and a lot of other places. I have learned just about enough Chinese to get around. I have learned how diverse people can be. I am now a Disney Trainer and have conducted at least 3 academic trainings for my team; being a teacher has extended from delivering fun learning experiences inside the classroom to helping co-teachers in what we do.

The decision to come and work here has been a good one as I have clearly grown so much. The lessons I have learned are endless. I am looking forward to more days of adventure and surprises ahead. :)

What's in a Name?

I once had a student named Peach, whose name was given by her kindergarten teacher, who, apparently, named all of her students after fruits. Later on, Peach just didn't want to be Peach anymore, and so, told her mom that she wants to be Angela.

Presently, I have a class with little Disney princesses named Ariel, Anna and Elsa, who decided to change her name from Fiona about a week ago, and stepped into my classroom yesterday wearing the Snow Queen's dress.

Yup, changing English names in China is as easy as changing t-shirts!

Avocados and Soy Milk

I transferred to a new (super cozy) apartment and inherited a new (old) bike, which I use to bring me to work. Today, I felt brave and decided to bike outside the Fengtai area and get myself some avocados and soy milk and other delicious goodies at the Sanyuanli Market in Liangmaqiao. I checked my map app and it told me that it's about 20 kilometers away from my place. And I said, bring it on. All for avocados and soy milk. I started today's adventure at around 7:30 in the morning.

I enjoyed the bike ride going there. The air is cool and relatively good today (AQI at about 50-60... Yes, that is good for China standards). I got even more amused to realize how easy it was to travel from my place to the busier parts of Beijing. I felt so accomplished when I started seeing familiar places; areas that I would go to back to when I still lived in the central business district. Being out on the road gave me the opportunity to actually see Beijing's charm. I usually just take the subway... You can imagine how not so pleasant that could be.

Finally, I reached Sanyuanli Market, and it was already 9:30. It took me two hours. WOW. But I didn't feel tired at all! After getting my goodies, I hopped on my bike and started to pedal home.

...But I didn't go home. I was bursting with energy! I went to Sanlitun, stopped by Yashow (the less aggressive version of the Silk Market) and got myself a sim card for my pocket wifi (Side story: When I got home, I realized I paid less than what I was supposed to and felt awful. I bargained for it at the beginning, but the guy who attended to me said it's at a fixed price. He was really nice and spoke English, too. I'm sorry!), looked for Jenny Lou's, got lost, went to U-Town, found Jenny Lou's, got myself 3 cartons of Vitasoy and sunflower seed bread.

Only then, did I start my journey back home. This was at around 12:30.

By 13:00, my legs were already dying. I had to talk to myself a lot (don't judge) to distract myself from my aching right knee (which always hurts whenever I run for a long time... Apparently, when I bike, too) and also to push myself to just keep going. It worked for a while. Eventually, I just got dead tired and slowed down. I made some wrong turns again. Totally expected, but I was just dying to get home.

I went through my apartment door at around 14:00.

That's six and a half hours. Around 50 to 60 kilometers in total.

All initially for avocados and soy milk.

I conclude that I will never do that again.
But I have a feeling that I most probably still will.