Japan in Thirty Days

JU-BI-LO~!

07 Nov 2010 3 Comments

by crastabule in Craig/クレイグ

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Long time, no type! But as usual, short on time, so I’m going to burn through this! We went to a soccer game to see Team Jubilo take on the team that was wearing orange. Jubilo gave up a 1-0 advantage, and then in additional time (It’s a soccer rule, I have no idea what makes giving the team more time to try and score acceptable) they managed to tie the game and it ended 1-1. The crowd was thrown into a frenzy that they would not recover from f0r at least 2 minutes!

We went to Mos Burger! Was it good!? They served us burgers, they had fries, the soda was fizzy! That’s all I’m saying about that!

We saw a cancer treatment hospital the other day. It was truly amazing. They had a proton accelerator that would fire protons through the human body and only blow up the cells they targeted. Sounds like sci-fi! Looked like sci-fi, we went behind the white door, and there was literally a room sized device that they could turn around. While we stood there, they did. It was akin to watching a robot get ready to step on you. I have never felt so insignificant.

I met a real geisha the other night! We were at a karaoke bar, and she was there, chastizing me for singing english songs. Then she starts singing Celine Dion. It hit me, I’m watching a geisha sing Celine Dion. My inner child was crying.

Just before the karaoke, my host family, The Tamakis, took me to a very nice restaurant with their veterinarian friend, Mr. Nagatomo, Japan’s premiere Korean singer! We had a few jumbo crabs, a bunch of tempura, a modest and completely acceptable amount of sake, and 2 live squid. I know they were alive, because I could watch their spots undulate, and they moved when I poked ‘em! I was afraid we’d have to eat the live critters, but no, they took them off the table, and brought them back in chunks a few minutes later. I kind of like meeting my food before I eat it. We formed a bond, then I ate.. it’s cheek? I’m not sure what you’d call it on a squid. But he tasted just like I figured he would when we were talking.

I had to leave the Tamaki home yesterday. I was sad to go. They are very nice people, and Mrs. Tamaki made me some really cool breakfast dishes. Nori and egg pizza? Yes we can! Eggs on a plate of bacon? Yes we can! Garlic bread, cheese toast, AND buttered toast? Yes we can! Plus Orange juice, milk, and tea every morning. It was like breakfast in the commercials! I’m just bummed that my nose was all stuffy the majority of the time I was there.

Japanese difference bulletin: Every store seems to have more employees. And every one of those employees is pretty likely to stop and greet you when you enter, and greet you when you exit. In bigger stores, this simply can’t happen, but in smaller shops, almost every time.

Japanese point of construction: 2 days ago I saw my first Japanese screws. It was a conscious choice I believe, but otherwise, it is nearly impossible to find a single nail or screw on the inside, or even outside of Japanese buildings. It is rather impressive.