Two Quick Things

First, while on the train to work, I noticed a store called "Antiques & Junk." Just thought it was great that the store was honest about what it wants customers to pay for!

Also, on the way back from "downtown Ueno" the other day, I was walking along a sidewalk near Ueno Park. I saw one homeless man pointing at a sign and talking to his buddies & he was in front of my path. As I neared, I realized I couldn't walk around him (there was a little metal barrier preventing me from just going into the street), so I came up behind him and said "sumimasen" (excuse me). He turned, looked & me, flashed a big grin, and said, with minimal accent....... "oh, sorry"
Maybe he's a graduate of Tokyo University that fell on hard times, but it made me very happy to interact with a surprisingly friendly member of Tokyo's Kojiki community!