A'roaming: My lost in translation moment

Director [in Japanese, to the interpreter]: The translation is very important, O.K.? The translation.

Interpreter [in Japanese, to the director]: Yes, of course. I understand.

Director [in Japanese, to Bob]: Mr. Bob. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whisky on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in Casablanca, saying, "Here's looking at you, kid," -- Suntory time!

Interpreter [In English, to Bob]: He wants you to turn, look in camera. O.K.?

Bob: Is that all he said?

Lost in Translation is one of my favorite movies, perhaps thanks to having lived or worked in Asia for the last six years and seeing it as a partial reflection of my time here. So of course, in Tokyo I needed to take a pilgrimage to the Park Hyatt where much of it was filmed. From the outside it’s kind of unassuming but clearly a tall building – a little different in that it’s not a single tower, more staggered…

Inside it starts to take on a grander style – first with the shared lobby (it’s part office block with the hotel on top) and then the elevators up to the hotel featuring dog heads or masks depending on which one you take.

From the 41st floor lobby, aside from the café view, there’s some upscale décor…

But of course, the destination I was headed for was the New York Bar on the 52nd floor – looks a little different from how I remember it so will have to get out the DVD when I get back.

And of course the great view – surprising how much green there is in a city that is thought of as being crowed with no room to move.

Finally after a $65 meal (well two drinks and a salad – it would be another $24 if you stay after 7pm on Sunday or 8pm on other days thanks to a 2000 yen cover charge) I headed down to watch the sunset behind the distant mountains from the 41st floor…