Berlin and Budapest . . . there's much to say, although it can't be nearly as interesting as what you have to say about Tokyo.
Re, conversing: I'm beginning to think we should meet (you live in VA, correct? I am occasionally in the Reston/Herdon or general DC area) or at very least chat sometime. I hate typing and tend to go out of my way to avoid it (hence my horrible correspondence skills), but chat works well.