Melker (M+P) checks in with us from Japan, tells us what he is up to over there and how he is finding it.
We are rather jealous he's in Tokyo, but super pleased he is sharing some of his experiences and thoughts with us. He also shares some of his captures on his mobile phone. Sounds like something that must be experienced!
When I first arrived in Japan I got a very good first impression. When I was exchanging money at the airport, the guy behind the counter was a lot more polite to me than I'm used to. He smiled, bowed and said thank you, so my first impression was that the people here are very polite!
I really don't understand a word of Japaneese, but most people here understand some English or can say at least some basic words, so the language hasn't been much of an issue. Even if they don't understand everything you say, people here are so polite and they will at least try to help you out! And when I'm modelling you kind of just have to do your thing and the photographer might say "good" or do gestures which anyone would understand.
I haven't done the karaoke thing yet, but I feel like I definitely have to try it at least once!
I also have a new Japanese addiction. It's the so called "rice balls", which is sort of a big sushi, a lot of rice wrapped in seagrass and filled with different things like salmon, tuna or some other creepy Japanese stuff. But they are so good and cheap, I have at least one every day haha.
One of the best things out here is when you go to clubs, as there are some clubs where you get free food, drinks and vip all night if you are a model. I think it feels a bit wierd, but at the same time you kind of have to take advantage of it. It's also quite entertaining when random people come up to you and want to take a picture with you. This really shy (like the type of shy you see in a cartoon sort of) person had their friends asking if they could take a picture with me hugging them. It was very cute haha.
I love to walk around places here that I haven't been yet to discover new things and also to walk around the city! There is a nice park to go to and besides that there is always something going on everywhere that will entertain you if you are bored.
As a model in Tokyo I guess you kind of stand out when you're out in town. One thing is that the European style is a bit different and of course that you're much taller than most of the people here and you obviously look different. And especially at this time you feel like you stand out from the others a lot since there is like no western people here at all because of the earthquake.
So far I have done some magazine shoots and a poster thing for a department store. I'm sharing a hotel room with another model, so when I'm not working we hang out together some times and go out. It's kind of like in Europe, you meet new friends all the time and also get to know some of the locals.
