I've been in Tokyo with my touring show since mid-day Sunday (local time, approx. 3am EDT), and we've already been through two mild earthquakes; the first Sunday evening and the second at around 5:15am this (Tuesday) morning. It's interesting, being on the 15th foor of a hotel, watching the room sway back and forth a few inches. (for the record, it's 12:30am Wednesday morning Japan Time as I write this, which is a half-hour before noon Tuesday in the eastern US.)
Haven't seen any smarts here, but the variation of car marques is a *hoot*! At coffee breaks during load-in the last couple of days, I've come downstairs to the loading dock and watched traffic zoom past the Bunkamura (and "zoom" is the proper word here). Sure wish we could import half of the variety of cars into the US that I see here.
Well double check all that rigging to protect from aftershocks,(Rig Callifornia Style) And make sure you keep that safe spot in the corner of your eye.
I'll be visiting Tokyo/Japan for the first time next Spring, and am really looking forward to it. I hadnt really thought about the mild earthquakes before however! I've been in taller buildings before during earthquakes, and it is definitely interesting watching the world sway about through the window.
How's the culture shock (assuming you're not previously used to it) treating you?
You're going to have to shoot some pics of the interesting microcars and trucks there. It's been a good 12 years since I've been in Tokyo or even Japan. I miss it.
Well double check all that rigging to protect from aftershocks,(Rig Callifornia Style) And make sure you keep that safe spot in the corner of your eye.
Not to worry. The whole fifteen-ton lighting and automation rig is hung from the major beams of the theatre (Orchard Hall, Bunkamura), and they do know very well how to build earthquake-resistant buildings here.
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Originally Posted by forestacademy
How long are you in Japan?
We're here in Tokyo for three weeks, then south to Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture for a week, then we come home.
I'll be visiting Tokyo/Japan for the first time next Spring, and am really looking forward to it. I hadnt really thought about the mild earthquakes before however! I've been in taller buildings before during earthquakes, and it is definitely interesting watching the world sway about through the window.
Dunno about "mild;" the Sunday quake registered 7.1 on the Richter Scale and yesterday's "wake-up" call registered 6.6. Fortunately, the epicenters of both were hundreds of miles away from the center of the city, so damage was minimal, although the Japanese authorities did shut down a couple of nuclear power plants yesterday, and the trains stopped running for a while, which was a slight inconvenience.
The only thing that directly affected me was being inside the elevator Sunday night when the first quake hit, which stopped the elevator immediately and lit up a "quake" sign on the button panel; once the shocks subsided and the building stopped rockiing, the elevator re-started and continued on its way.
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Originally Posted by dovienya
How's the culture shock (assuming you're not previously used to it) treating you?
I love it over here. It's been a while (like, fourteen years?) since I was on this side of the Pacific, and it's nice to be back.
Last edited by The Rigger; 08-11-2009 at 04:02 PM.
You're going to have to shoot some pics of the interesting microcars and trucks there.
Oh, yeah! I've got both of my cameras limbered up for action.
Not only the cars and trucks, but some of the new scooters and motorcycles are outrageous - chopped Honda Helix with the "coffee-can" exhaust megaphone, anyone?
Yikes! I'm surprised I didnt hear anything about that on the news then! No, that's not mild at all. I know Japan is supposed to do some pretty great things with earthquake resistance, but I certainly wouldnt want to be sitting on top of that.
Given the choice, I'd much rather be in a room with a window than in an elevator during a quake.
I'm almost certain I'm going to love it there when I finally get to visit. I find traditional japanese culture to be very interesting, and their modern culture is just so.... I dont know if there is a single adjective that can really capture it. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. Budget permitting, I'm hoping to stay within Tokyo itself, but even if I dont pull that off I figure I can learn their subway system (hopefully) somewhat quickly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Rigger
Dunno about "mild;" the Sunday quake registered 7.1 on the Richter Scale and yesterday's "wake-up" call registered 6.6. Fortunately, the epicenters of both were hundreds of miles away from the center of the city, so damage was minimal, although the Japanese authorities did shut down a couple of nuclear power plants yesterday, and the trains stopped running for a while, which was a slight inconvenience.
The only thing that directly affected me was being inside the elevator Sunday night when the first quake hit, which stopped the elevator immediately and lit up a "quake" sign on the button panel; once the shocks subsided and the building stopped rockiing, the elevator re-started and continued on its way.
I love it over here. It's been a while (like, fourteen years?) since I was on this side of the Pacific, and it's nice to be back.
... learn their subway system (hopefully) somewhat quickly.
Very easy now that most signs are bilingual, even in the cars.
Excellent bilingual map guide: TOKYO City Atlas, published by Kodansha KODANSHA INTERNATIONAL
(usual disclaimer, no interest, no relation...)
Why bilingual: so you can show the name of the place you're going to, and the locals can read it... Experience!
Have a safe journey.
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My Two Blue Beauties
The Cabrio That Will Not Tell Me Its Name
1 - LT N FLFY
2 - Forests ride
3 - Little Blue
4 - Big Red
1 - Kermit
3 - The Street Rod
4 - Split Window Vette
5 - The Veggie VW
The Beast
The Chick Magnet
Budget permitting, I'm hoping to stay within Tokyo itself, but even if I dont pull that off I figure I can learn their subway system (hopefully) somewhat quickly.
"the car", "la voiture"
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