Random aside: It’s Thanksgiving today, and my first one away
from home. Man, do I miss crazy loud extended family and pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes…oh and did
I say pumpkin pie? ;P
So, I’ve been off the radar for a little while. Got busy and
lazy at the same time—the continuous paradox that is my life. Well, lazy in
regards to writing this stuff up, that is.
Here’s a quick summary
before we get back to our regularly scheduled program. For fall break (right
after the previous entry), I was one of the many groups of KCJSers that headed
off to the Tokyo area. Night bus for the win! It’s cheap and you don’t have to
pay for an extra night’s bed. But I do not
recommend it if you have just gotten sick the previous night. Actually, I don’t
recommend traveling at all in that case. But shikatanai (c’est la vie)…Anyway, we did cool stuff like nerd out
in Akihabara, where all the gamers and otaku go—there’s even a Gundam Café
there. Didn't actually go; just thought that was worth noting. Actually, we ended up going to one of the many maid cafes, despite being a group
of six girls. It was themed after a bunny burrow and ... kind of adorable.
They were even wearing Halloween colors~
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| The bulletin board. They didn't allow photos inside because it would "scare the bunnies," hahaha |
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| My dessert from the bunny cafe! So cute and fruity~ |
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| Bustling neighborhood of Shibuya |
I also went to Yokohama and met with two alumni from my high school’s sister school, Yokohama Suiran High. We actually went back to see the school for a bit in the evening, which was like a weird trip back in time to my high school sophomore and junior summers! I got to visit my friend from my summer internship, Yukiko, at Keio U on the last day for a bit. Good times! And other than that, my recommendations are Harajuku (crazy style statements everywhere) and Tokyo Disney Sea (it’s not actually a water park; rather, it is simply made of epic), AND—last but not least—the Ghibli Museum just west of the city—it was a magical wonderland of animation and nostalgia. I got to sit in the catbus (from Totoro) and see an adorable short film by Ghibli!
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| Yes, a Gundam Cafe exists. In Akihabara (where else? haha) |
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| Recognize this guy? Hint: Castle in the Sky |
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| Yep, magical wonderland. |
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| Condomania in Harajuku. Tempted to go in, but sense got the better of me. (They're saying "Georgee~" "Emilyy~") |
The day after getting back, 9 of us—6 Americans and 3 Japanese students—went to Takarazuka to see a show by the ladies of the Takarazuka Revue. It was every bit as campy, flashy, fabulous and gender-bendy as I expected! For further info, see here: http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/first/index.html
Or here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takarazuka_Revue
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| We saw this double feature: Classico Italiano and Nice Guy |
Then it was back to
business as usual, except the following weekend we had a choir retreat (which
was a little pricey, but oh well). It was mostly work and little play, but
there were some gossipy conversations later in the evening. Namely, I found out
that a bunch of the choir members are actually in relationships—with each
other. So I’m like, whoa, what? W, when—how
does this happen? It doesn’t seem like there’s much chance for male-female
interaction the way things are set up. Plus they’re all really nerdy and
awkward like me! Clearly there’s something I’m doing wrong here. Please, tell
me, oh wise Kyodai students! Also, there were no individual showers, so I had
to go through that whole awkward-nakey-time bathing thing with the girls. (At
least I haven’ t had to do that for over three years.) Pro tips: cover whatever
possible with hands and keep eyes down or unfocused. That saves you the most
embarrassment.
And other than school
stuff, that’s…about it. Yup. See y’all next time. Now presenting part 2 of
“That Awkward Moment When…”
…the reading is on Japanese women in an underwear factory,
and the class discussion turns to which bra makers people prefer. No, the
professor in that class has no shame.
…you go into a weekend retreat of choir practice thinking
you’ll get to talk to a certain someone, but since you are both shy and
awkward, that just does not happen.
(small lapse of time…then the events from within the past
week or so):
…your host dad sneaks some natto (Japanese fermented soybeans that smell like compost and
taste like death) into an omelet as a side dish, and you can only eat one of
the three slices. At least he gave some warning beforehand!
…a random old man taps you and your friend on the shoulder
at the bus stop in front of school and says, “Welcome to Japan!”, then once he knows you’re American, proceeds
to tell you about how he lived in Texas in the 1960s and witnessed Kennedy’s
assassination, among other things, before you get on the bus. It was kind of
awesome, actually.
…a semi-new member of the choir finds out you are a junior,
hence older than her, and apologizes for having said anything too informal/not
using keigo (respectful language) and
the like. Girl, I’m American! That shyte makes us uncomfortable! Call me
Natasha and talk to me casually please for Pete’s sake.
…you go to sit in the back of the bus and a special needs
guy turns around in his seat and just stares at you…and stares. (At least he’s
more up-front about in than other Japanese who will just take little glances at
you or look from the corners of their eyes.)
