Okay, I am still in New York City

No, I am not in Japan yet, but it is all I am thinking about. I leave in one week and I have what feels like a million things to do before I leave. I have loose ends to tie at work and at home; I am starting to feel like I will not get everything done but I probably will and if I don't...well, it will be okay. In my mind I am busy imagining what it will be like when I finally get to Tokyo. I have read alot about Japan and seen so many different photographs of the country, and no matter how prepared I may be, I know there will be many surprises awaiting me.

I have already "met" a Japanese woman, who is a friend of a friend, and we have been emailing each other, making plans to meet for dinner one evening in Tokyo. I am looking forward to meeting someone who lives and works in Tokyo; it is always a special treat to meet local people when you travel. Where would you take a visitor to New York City? Sometimes the special places in your neighborhood (stores or cafés or parks), rather than the big tourist attractions, are the best places to visit. So, I hope she shows me the places that are special to her.