Sunday, November 9, 2008

Shibuya...

On the 2nd day of our mini-vacation, we went to Shibuya. Shibuya has the busiest intersection in the world. There are hundreds of people crossing the street at any given time. It's chaotic and crowded beyond belief.



Next to the JR train station is a statue of Hachiko the dog. As a dog lover, I felt the need to visit his statue and pay homage to the loyal dog. Here is the story about Hachiko:
"In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Mr. Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner's life, Hachikō saw him off from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno didn't return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a stroke at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting. Hachikō was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. After time, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he didn't see his friend among the commuters at the station. The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. Realizing that Hachikō waited in vigil for his dead master, their hearts were touched. They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait. This continued for 10 years, with Hachikō appearing only in the evening time, precisely when the train was due at the station." (This information came directly from Wikipedia.com.)

(Look at all the people!)
(This is how the road looks when traffic is flowing.)

(Here I am crossing the road and taking a picture of myself...I know, I'm a dork...thankfully, I've already come to terms with it!)

(Here is Jude bouncing around in front of Hachiko.)

(Here is the statue of Hichiko the loyal dog.)

(There are so many people!!)

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