Day 6 Monday June 18

The first of our three days rest.  Gradually we all get up and go wandering Tokyo. I watch Bruce wander off from the roof of the hostel. Consulting his Rome2rio app on his phone. Showing him where to go. I use Hyperdia and Google maps. We're both looking for the best directions. In the end I think we both just relied on Google maps because it seemed to work much better than the apps. 

A few of us start washing our clothes which are pretty dirty from the hot and sweaty gigs. The washing machine is alright but the dryer is useless. The Canadian ahead of me as had her clothes in there for two hours and they are still wet. I try fewer clothes. I let the clothes dry for a short while and then just drape them around my bunk bed. 

Rod is quite ill with the flu and rests for the day. We would all meet up later for dinner. I go shopping for some records and manga books. Look for a guitar case so I can get my guitar back to Melbourne in one piece. The wheels on my suitcase are quite stuffed so I also look for a new suitcase. Eventually I just buy gaffe tape instead and wrap the bottom of my case up. Solved. 

Gradually we all make it back to the hostel. Bad news is that there is no spare room for the snorers. Somebody as moved into the room opposite. 

We were going to Shibuya to try Gekko Sushi but the band decides to eat locally and we walk down to a local restaurant where they are playing the World Cup. Rod and I have a Suntory whisky before we go out. At the restaurant we drink plenty of beer and saki. Maybe too much. The clue was when I tried to flush the toilet and I couldn't get the button to work. I kept pushing until it went in. Then I realised I just pushed in the lid of the sensor. I spent a few minutes trying to replace it but was unable to. I'm sure it would be an easy fix but not then. Guiltily I left the restaurant without telling them. I suppose I got a bit of karma when I got back to the hostel.

When we get back to the hostel later we go up to the roof and drink some more. The rooftop meeting place is excellent with a great view over Shinjuku. The roof is slippery and Rod nearly slips over. This should of been a warning because when I decide to leave before the others I slip as I’m walking down the wet stairs. Not that I remember slipping. When Bruce comes down a few minutes later he sees me at the bottom of the stairs unconscious. 

The band then proceed to get me down the two flights to our room which takes them about 10 minutes in my unconscious form. I wake up just as we are going through the door feeling totally out of place. I was having such a nice dream too. This is where someone comes up with the theory that maybe I slid down the stairs then just fell asleep. Can you dream when you're unconscious? I refuse to google that. When I discuss this with others they always ask if I saw a light. They put me on the bed and there is much discussion as to whether as should go to hospital and they consider calling an ambulance. I’m a bit in shock and go from shuddering to quite emotional. We don’t go to hospital but they keep me awake and Chirpy talks to me to make sure I’m alright. Chirpy is an ex-footballer whose probably seen some concussions in his time so I trust his judgement. Not that I am in any state to make decisions. But I think he did a good job of looking after me.

Eventually I go to sleep but I wake up at about 4 am and the room is very quiet. Bruce wakes up too and asks if I’m alright and I’m fine. Can’t believe it happened. No headaches and no pain. I feel fine except for a bit of soreness around my neck and shoulders the next day.

* as a footnote to this incident when I got back to Melbourne I saw my doctor and he organised an MRI scan which pronounced everything fine.