Saturday, October 15, 2005
Shoppin' In The Rain
It rained all day today, from the moment I woke up to this very second that I'm typing right now. I don't know enough words in any language to explain how much this sucks. The silver lining is that it's not raining very hard and I spent most of the day under a roof but I would have much rather walked freely around the city instead of dealing with this crap.
I was up early this morning and decided to venture into Osaka rather than spend the day sitting around the dorm. I loathed the rainfall but I decided to bear it and hope that it might let up eventually (it never did though). I had heard from Megan about some event in Osaka that sounded interesting but when I tried to meet her it didn't work. I suspect I misunderstood some vital element of the plan because it was supposed to be a class trip and there's no way a classroom-sized group of foreigners would escape my attention if I was in the right station at the right time.
Instead, I went to Nanba to do a little shopping. I bought more oatmeal which I hope will taste good (it certainly cost enough), picked up some ジョジョ manga for Scott as a belated birthday present and I went to see Kazu at his part-time job at Bic Camera. It wasn't just a social call as I wanted a new memory card for my camera. The card that came with the camera was quite small which is why most of the pictures I've shown you have been so pixelated. At maximum quality I could only take six shots! Now I can take almost a hundred so expect all future photographs to look much nicer (although the web versions will still have to be low-resolution to fit onto my page).
I got a surprise message from Scott who suggested we hang out. He came down to meet with me and we spent the bulk of the afternoon together, walking around the "Nanba Center" shopping district. Thankfully, these streets are under a roof so we didn't get soaked. I wonder why New York doesn't offer streets like this? Would snow be a problem?
That's about all that happened today. Tomorrow we're supposed to have clearer skies and I have another date with Mako, so I'm feeling better already.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I was up early this morning and decided to venture into Osaka rather than spend the day sitting around the dorm. I loathed the rainfall but I decided to bear it and hope that it might let up eventually (it never did though). I had heard from Megan about some event in Osaka that sounded interesting but when I tried to meet her it didn't work. I suspect I misunderstood some vital element of the plan because it was supposed to be a class trip and there's no way a classroom-sized group of foreigners would escape my attention if I was in the right station at the right time.
Instead, I went to Nanba to do a little shopping. I bought more oatmeal which I hope will taste good (it certainly cost enough), picked up some ジョジョ manga for Scott as a belated birthday present and I went to see Kazu at his part-time job at Bic Camera. It wasn't just a social call as I wanted a new memory card for my camera. The card that came with the camera was quite small which is why most of the pictures I've shown you have been so pixelated. At maximum quality I could only take six shots! Now I can take almost a hundred so expect all future photographs to look much nicer (although the web versions will still have to be low-resolution to fit onto my page).
I got a surprise message from Scott who suggested we hang out. He came down to meet with me and we spent the bulk of the afternoon together, walking around the "Nanba Center" shopping district. Thankfully, these streets are under a roof so we didn't get soaked. I wonder why New York doesn't offer streets like this? Would snow be a problem?
That's about all that happened today. Tomorrow we're supposed to have clearer skies and I have another date with Mako, so I'm feeling better already.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday, October 14, 2005
So I'm No Gentleman
Alrighty, time to catch you folks up with a few details from yesterday's action. Nothing more about the midterm though, there's simply nothing else to say. In the modern Internet vernacular, I pwn3d it. Also, I didn't have any other classes so I was able to forgo lugging my bookbag to school which allowed me to go straight from the campus to the station. I was free to date unencumbered by external bulk!
I met Mako in Umeda and the first order of the afternoon was lunch. She asked me what I wanted to eat and I was honest: I really wanted a big cheeseburger (or comparable sandwich). Somehow I had been thinking of sandwiches for a few days now and I felt like it had simply been too long since I had a good one. We went looking for a good place on the dining floor of nearby Yodobashi Camera when Mako had an even better idea. She spotted a sushi place with a fabulous lunchtime deal: a plate of sushi plus a bowl of udon and a melon slice for dessert, all for less than 900 Yen. I had my first taste of uni (Sea urchin) which I don't recommend. Very bitter. Otherwise, my lunch was delicious.
Our stomachs full, we were off to the cinema. I had yet to see a film since arriving in Japan which is an unusually long stretch of time for me to go without movies. A few things about the experience surprised me (in now particular order):
The movie we saw was Stealth, a preposterously retarded film that failed tremendously in the United States. You can read some humorously negative reviews at Rotten Tomatoes and Critical Mess. Still, by going in expecting the absolute worst I came away pleasantly surprised by its mediocrity; it was not without its surprise moments. Ultimately, however, the movie will make you stupider if you watch it so don't go near it without a 40 oz bottle of beer (perhaps two).
After our American cultural briefing was finished I asked her what her plans were for the remainder of the day. She had none so I proposed we eat dinner together and she agreed. In the meantime we went on a stroll around Umeda, visiting a couple different department stores (there are so many here I don't think they can be counted or even distinguished from one another) and stopping for coffee. I wouldn't say we did, saw or really said anything remarkable, we just hung out and it was fun. Physically speaking (talk about minutiae), there was a lot of hand-holding and general closeness as I tried to determine whether she really liked me or merely tolerated my grabbery.
Dinner time approached and the eternal question surfaced again: what shall we eat? Mako revealed that she too was thinking of a hamburger/sandwich meal so she somehow used her mobile phone to search the Internet for a good place. I think mine does that too but I'd have to master Japanese in order to use it. Anyway, the phone directed us on a short walk to a familiar street where Scott and I have gone drinking a few times now. I told her about that and mentioned that we had spent a few evenings in a "foreigner friendly" bar called "Captain Kangaroo." She revealed that was exactly where the phone told her to go!
Apparently this bar also serves some fine food which I was happy to sample. I ordered the house specialty, a "Roo Burger" (it's just a name kids) which was tremendously satisfying. Mako opted for their Grilled Cheese sandwich platter. I threw back a pair of drafts (it was happy hour) and she settled for one Corona. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that one beer was enough for her, she is quite petite. While we drank I told her everything I knew about Jimi Hendrix whose music was being played in the bar.
Mako's Corona had made her a little sleepy and she had work early the next day so I walked her back (hand in hand) to the train station she needed. She told me I was yasashii (優しい, "kind" or "affectionate"); I reciprocated her sentiment and added kirei ("pretty") as well. I knew it was up to me to figure out where we stood: was this all just friendship or perhaps something more? As we reached the ticket gates I felt the time was "right" so I faced her (still holding her hand), said a few words (none of your business) and I kissed her good night.
Mmm, so I guess there's no more mystery regarding her opinion of me anymore!
I sent Scott a quick mail about the date and I was heading back to Hirakata when he e-mailed me back and asked if I wanted to have a drink. I agreed and we met up for a few beers. I hope I wasn't too boastful about what had happened but I was still riding very high on my success. I think there's a lot more that could be said but I'm going to refrain from over-analyzing this just yet. Let's wait a few more dates and see how this works.
So far as today goes, I managed to hit the gym and weigh myself since I didn't have any time yesterday. My isolated bouts of gluttony this week definitely slowed (but didn't stop) my weight loss so I'll need to be a bit more careful about that and try to work out at least three times a week to maintain (if not accelerate) my road to fitness.
うれしい…^_^
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I met Mako in Umeda and the first order of the afternoon was lunch. She asked me what I wanted to eat and I was honest: I really wanted a big cheeseburger (or comparable sandwich). Somehow I had been thinking of sandwiches for a few days now and I felt like it had simply been too long since I had a good one. We went looking for a good place on the dining floor of nearby Yodobashi Camera when Mako had an even better idea. She spotted a sushi place with a fabulous lunchtime deal: a plate of sushi plus a bowl of udon and a melon slice for dessert, all for less than 900 Yen. I had my first taste of uni (Sea urchin) which I don't recommend. Very bitter. Otherwise, my lunch was delicious.
Our stomachs full, we were off to the cinema. I had yet to see a film since arriving in Japan which is an unusually long stretch of time for me to go without movies. A few things about the experience surprised me (in now particular order):
- The tickets were more expensive than Manhattan (about $13) but my diet cola was actually reasonably priced (about $2.50). Guess Japanese theaters don't need the huge mark-up in concessions that American theaters do?
- Our tickets were for specific seats in the auditorium (we couldn't just pick two at random). They looked very comfortable but were actually rather unforgiving in the buttocks department. Both Mako and I complained that our posteriors hurt at the end of the show.
- The lights didn't come up during the credits so virtually no one left their seats.
The movie we saw was Stealth, a preposterously retarded film that failed tremendously in the United States. You can read some humorously negative reviews at Rotten Tomatoes and Critical Mess. Still, by going in expecting the absolute worst I came away pleasantly surprised by its mediocrity; it was not without its surprise moments. Ultimately, however, the movie will make you stupider if you watch it so don't go near it without a 40 oz bottle of beer (perhaps two).
After our American cultural briefing was finished I asked her what her plans were for the remainder of the day. She had none so I proposed we eat dinner together and she agreed. In the meantime we went on a stroll around Umeda, visiting a couple different department stores (there are so many here I don't think they can be counted or even distinguished from one another) and stopping for coffee. I wouldn't say we did, saw or really said anything remarkable, we just hung out and it was fun. Physically speaking (talk about minutiae), there was a lot of hand-holding and general closeness as I tried to determine whether she really liked me or merely tolerated my grabbery.
Dinner time approached and the eternal question surfaced again: what shall we eat? Mako revealed that she too was thinking of a hamburger/sandwich meal so she somehow used her mobile phone to search the Internet for a good place. I think mine does that too but I'd have to master Japanese in order to use it. Anyway, the phone directed us on a short walk to a familiar street where Scott and I have gone drinking a few times now. I told her about that and mentioned that we had spent a few evenings in a "foreigner friendly" bar called "Captain Kangaroo." She revealed that was exactly where the phone told her to go!
Apparently this bar also serves some fine food which I was happy to sample. I ordered the house specialty, a "Roo Burger" (it's just a name kids) which was tremendously satisfying. Mako opted for their Grilled Cheese sandwich platter. I threw back a pair of drafts (it was happy hour) and she settled for one Corona. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that one beer was enough for her, she is quite petite. While we drank I told her everything I knew about Jimi Hendrix whose music was being played in the bar.
Mako's Corona had made her a little sleepy and she had work early the next day so I walked her back (hand in hand) to the train station she needed. She told me I was yasashii (優しい, "kind" or "affectionate"); I reciprocated her sentiment and added kirei ("pretty") as well. I knew it was up to me to figure out where we stood: was this all just friendship or perhaps something more? As we reached the ticket gates I felt the time was "right" so I faced her (still holding her hand), said a few words (none of your business) and I kissed her good night.
Mmm, so I guess there's no more mystery regarding her opinion of me anymore!
I sent Scott a quick mail about the date and I was heading back to Hirakata when he e-mailed me back and asked if I wanted to have a drink. I agreed and we met up for a few beers. I hope I wasn't too boastful about what had happened but I was still riding very high on my success. I think there's a lot more that could be said but I'm going to refrain from over-analyzing this just yet. Let's wait a few more dates and see how this works.
So far as today goes, I managed to hit the gym and weigh myself since I didn't have any time yesterday. My isolated bouts of gluttony this week definitely slowed (but didn't stop) my weight loss so I'll need to be a bit more careful about that and try to work out at least three times a week to maintain (if not accelerate) my road to fitness.
うれしい…^_^
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Teaser
It's late, I'm tipsy and tired and I've got a midterm exam tomorrow morning but I can't leave you hanging about today. Lesser days perhaps, but not today.
Here's the short, short version: Took my "Speaking" midterm this morning, aced it. Went straight from the exam to Osaka for a lunch/movie/coffee/dinner date with Mako. As I was about to leave the city, Scott and I decided to meet for a drink instead.
Other than that, you'll have to wait. Although, if a gentleman doesn't "kiss and tell," maybe I shouldn't say anything else about my date?
^_^
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Here's the short, short version: Took my "Speaking" midterm this morning, aced it. Went straight from the exam to Osaka for a lunch/movie/coffee/dinner date with Mako. As I was about to leave the city, Scott and I decided to meet for a drink instead.
Other than that, you'll have to wait. Although, if a gentleman doesn't "kiss and tell," maybe I shouldn't say anything else about my date?
^_^
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
James Cagney Punches Like A Girl
Bleh, this morning was the Oral portion of my Japanese language midterm exam. I wasn't particularly pleased by my performance but the teacher seemed to be complimentary. Maybe I did OK, maybe not. It was only 20% of the exam so even if I tanked it I could still pull out an A with tomorrow's written portion. I'm not worried either way. I'm way more nervous about the movie date I've planned with Mako afterwards.
Today I found out about a really cool offer available to exchange students through the University. It's a card that gets us free admission to dozens of interesting places around Osaka. Naturally, I immediately signed up for one and I received it by the time my classes were over. Several of the sights were already on my list of places to see, such as Osaka Castle and the Tennoji Zoo. The National Art Museum which I visited last month is on there too so that means I'm free to go back whenever I feel like it. Hooray for free culture!
Instead of rushing off to dinner after class today I stuck around campus for a viewing of some anti-Japanese media as part of my Media class. We watched two old cartoons: Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips and You're a Sap, Mr. Jap (starring Popeye). Both cartoons featured the heroes taking on scores of buck-toothed, bare-foot Japanese soldiers and dispatching them with great haste. While both cartoons featured racial stereotypes, I found the Bugs one to a little more disturbing because Bugs actually used racial slurs. In a way, Popeye was just doing his job (he is in the Navy after all).
The cartoons were merely a prelude to the main feature, Blood on the Sun starring James Cagney. This was actually my first experience watching a James Cagney movie and I found the whole thing a little ridiculous. Cagney's a pretty tiny little fellow but throughout the film he consistently manhandles any Japanese official or goon who dares get in his way, either with a Judo throw or with some incredibly limp-looking punches. I've seen fiercer struggles in elementary school yards.
As far as the movie goes, I don't think it's any more demeaning than most Hollywood pictures. Most of the Japanese characters are played by white actors in makeup and fake overbites and most of Japanese culture or life is presented in a "thank goodness you don't live there" manner. I think the only outright racist moment was when Cagney called someone a "monkey" but that was after he had been shot so he was obviously under a lot of stress at the time.
The movie ended and I was super hungry so I ate at the cheap ramen joint across from the main gate with a few other students who were in my class. I had another one of those "old" moments when we were laughing about the film which segued into jokes about other absurd patriotic films. Someone remarked, "I'm sure glad I didn't have to grow up during the Cold War." Since that only ended about fourteen years ago I asked when he grew up. Catching his misstatement, he clarified "Well, obviously I didn't care much about politics when I was three." Another student sarcastically joked, "Yeah, the Berlin Wall coming down was what I wanted for Christmas."
*shudder* I guess I should be grateful they even remember the Berlin Wall...
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Today I found out about a really cool offer available to exchange students through the University. It's a card that gets us free admission to dozens of interesting places around Osaka. Naturally, I immediately signed up for one and I received it by the time my classes were over. Several of the sights were already on my list of places to see, such as Osaka Castle and the Tennoji Zoo. The National Art Museum which I visited last month is on there too so that means I'm free to go back whenever I feel like it. Hooray for free culture!
Instead of rushing off to dinner after class today I stuck around campus for a viewing of some anti-Japanese media as part of my Media class. We watched two old cartoons: Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips and You're a Sap, Mr. Jap (starring Popeye). Both cartoons featured the heroes taking on scores of buck-toothed, bare-foot Japanese soldiers and dispatching them with great haste. While both cartoons featured racial stereotypes, I found the Bugs one to a little more disturbing because Bugs actually used racial slurs. In a way, Popeye was just doing his job (he is in the Navy after all).
The cartoons were merely a prelude to the main feature, Blood on the Sun starring James Cagney. This was actually my first experience watching a James Cagney movie and I found the whole thing a little ridiculous. Cagney's a pretty tiny little fellow but throughout the film he consistently manhandles any Japanese official or goon who dares get in his way, either with a Judo throw or with some incredibly limp-looking punches. I've seen fiercer struggles in elementary school yards.
As far as the movie goes, I don't think it's any more demeaning than most Hollywood pictures. Most of the Japanese characters are played by white actors in makeup and fake overbites and most of Japanese culture or life is presented in a "thank goodness you don't live there" manner. I think the only outright racist moment was when Cagney called someone a "monkey" but that was after he had been shot so he was obviously under a lot of stress at the time.
The movie ended and I was super hungry so I ate at the cheap ramen joint across from the main gate with a few other students who were in my class. I had another one of those "old" moments when we were laughing about the film which segued into jokes about other absurd patriotic films. Someone remarked, "I'm sure glad I didn't have to grow up during the Cold War." Since that only ended about fourteen years ago I asked when he grew up. Catching his misstatement, he clarified "Well, obviously I didn't care much about politics when I was three." Another student sarcastically joked, "Yeah, the Berlin Wall coming down was what I wanted for Christmas."
*shudder* I guess I should be grateful they even remember the Berlin Wall...
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!!
It was raining again this morning and I got soaked walking to school. So soaked that most of the paper inside my bookbag got wet despite the bag being completely closed. In fact, my arms managed to get wet even though I was wearing my raincoat (the cool one, not the drape one). I fucking hate rain. Hate it!
I'm here in the computer lab this afternoon wasting some time. I went down to City Hall this afternoon and finally got my "Alien Registration Card." Finally, I'm an official resident of Japan. Hooray! It's a cool looking little card which I'll sadly have to return when I leave the country next spring.
I "watched" the Yankees lose their playoff game via the Internet. That sucked. At least the Red Sox didn't do any better. I don't particularly care about any of the remaining teams although it might be nice to see the White Sox win the Series for the first time since 1917.
While browsing the Internet looking for amusement I came across this little gem. It's a funny little pamphlet that anyone who has a blog should enjoy reading. I was actually Googling "kansai gaidai blog" when I found this site. Apparently he studies here once and he has a friend here right now (she's actually in one of my classes).
Mako just e-mailed me about a possible movie date this Thursday. She asked me what I thought about Sin City. Obviously, I love that movie (you can read my review I wrote in the spring) but I'm not sure she knows what she's getting into. Then again, what do I know? Maybe Japanese people are more accepting of violence and human cruelty in films.
...
Maybe not...she just suggested Stealth instead.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I'm here in the computer lab this afternoon wasting some time. I went down to City Hall this afternoon and finally got my "Alien Registration Card." Finally, I'm an official resident of Japan. Hooray! It's a cool looking little card which I'll sadly have to return when I leave the country next spring.
I "watched" the Yankees lose their playoff game via the Internet. That sucked. At least the Red Sox didn't do any better. I don't particularly care about any of the remaining teams although it might be nice to see the White Sox win the Series for the first time since 1917.
While browsing the Internet looking for amusement I came across this little gem. It's a funny little pamphlet that anyone who has a blog should enjoy reading. I was actually Googling "kansai gaidai blog" when I found this site. Apparently he studies here once and he has a friend here right now (she's actually in one of my classes).
Mako just e-mailed me about a possible movie date this Thursday. She asked me what I thought about Sin City. Obviously, I love that movie (you can read my review I wrote in the spring) but I'm not sure she knows what she's getting into. Then again, what do I know? Maybe Japanese people are more accepting of violence and human cruelty in films.
...
Maybe not...she just suggested Stealth instead.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Monday, October 10, 2005
休み (Rest)
Today might be "Health and Sports Day" here in Japan but I spent it relaxing around the dorms. With all the traveling and drinking I did this weekend (not to mention all the money I spent) today was an ideal day to take it easy and not go anywhere.
The first I did was watch the entire Yankees/Angels playoff game live on TV. It was good one, with both starters pitching six scoreless innings. The Angels scored first to take a 2-0 lead in the seventh but the Yanks took one right back and scored two in the eighth to take the lead and eventually win 3-2. Game five is tomorrow (or today, depending on where you live) but I'll be in class so I won't have a chance to watch it. Go Yanks!
Obviously I had to go outside eventually and eat but I kept it very local today. Lunch was just around the corner and dinner was maybe three blocks away. I had a bit of a problem at dinner though. I tried to order something blindly for a new experience, picking something I thought would be chicken. The chef said it was chicken but I don't think it was the parts you usually eat. Instead, it was super-chewy and really disgusting, not to mention way overpriced. I spent 500 Yen and received a handful of chicken pieces with no rice, soup or noodles. It was a total rip-off but I guess you can't win 'em all.
This week will sort of be a busy one as I've got my Japanese language midterm exams. It's true, the semester is already half over! In theory, I should work a little harder to prepare for these exams but you know me: I'll procrastinate and maybe spend an hour studying before the test. The only part that makes me at all nervous is this Wednesday's oral exam. Conversation is not my strong suit but so long as there's no time limit I should spit out something passable.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
The first I did was watch the entire Yankees/Angels playoff game live on TV. It was good one, with both starters pitching six scoreless innings. The Angels scored first to take a 2-0 lead in the seventh but the Yanks took one right back and scored two in the eighth to take the lead and eventually win 3-2. Game five is tomorrow (or today, depending on where you live) but I'll be in class so I won't have a chance to watch it. Go Yanks!
Obviously I had to go outside eventually and eat but I kept it very local today. Lunch was just around the corner and dinner was maybe three blocks away. I had a bit of a problem at dinner though. I tried to order something blindly for a new experience, picking something I thought would be chicken. The chef said it was chicken but I don't think it was the parts you usually eat. Instead, it was super-chewy and really disgusting, not to mention way overpriced. I spent 500 Yen and received a handful of chicken pieces with no rice, soup or noodles. It was a total rip-off but I guess you can't win 'em all.
This week will sort of be a busy one as I've got my Japanese language midterm exams. It's true, the semester is already half over! In theory, I should work a little harder to prepare for these exams but you know me: I'll procrastinate and maybe spend an hour studying before the test. The only part that makes me at all nervous is this Wednesday's oral exam. Conversation is not my strong suit but so long as there's no time limit I should spit out something passable.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Q&A Time 2: Cruise Control
Here are my responses to last week's little game. If you want in, read the rules and ask me to include you via the comments feature. It was a lot harder to answer these then I thought it would be!
Hyde:
Jenna: (I hope I'm thinking of the right Jenna)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Hyde:
- I can't wait to sing another duet with you.
- It's a tie between "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and Morocco.
- Gotta be Grape, it's my favorite.
- Care for another session of "instant therapy" next summer?
- My first memory was seeing a comment left by a total stranger on my blog and me thinking "who the hell is this?" However, our first real-life meeting will go down as the greatest "date" I ever had despite it being not a date at all. We just totally clicked and I had a blast.
- Finch - you love to sing and growing up I enjoyed listening to the finches' chirping.
- Given your musical talents, have you ever considered acting?
Jenna: (I hope I'm thinking of the right Jenna)
- I am still impressed by your alphabetized CD collection.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, what else?
- Strawberry
- Do you miss the van at all?
- "We are the music makers..." instantly caught my attention in the sea of ignorance that I usually read on CL.
- Given your efforts to help people, I'm going to say a St. Bernard.
- Have you been really been keeping up with this blog since summer?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Milestone
According to Blogger, this is my 500th post. I don't have the energy to verify that but it sounds about right, given that I started last spring. More importantly, it's one of most enjoyable days I've had in years and it's going to take a lot of restraint not to tell you all about it in sweaty detail.
I was up super early (despite last night's boozing) to hit Kôbe for another "date" with Mako. I'm still hesitant to use that word, in part because I'm a coward but mostly because I still wasn't sure where we stood going into today's meeting. Sure, I had lots of fun last time and by agreeing to a second meeting she seemed to confirm that she did too, but if I assume too much about her I could easily end up making an ass of myself.
I was way ahead of myself in that department when I realized that I forgotten to bring enough money with me when I left my room this morning. I had enough to get to Kobe and back but not much else! I could have kicked myself for being so stupid! Worse yet, it was too late to turn back as I was already running late. I had an idea on how to solve this problem but we'll get back to that later.
Mako met on time (more or less) and our first stop was the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. Not only was it an amusing look at how sake was made (complete with vintage film footage from the 1920's), there was no admission charge (double bonus with my money shortage) and we also got a free cup of their brew to taste. The video advised us that professionals spit out the sake after tasting it but advised us "to enjoy it as we see fit." In other words, I drank it. Mako didn't care for it much but I thought it was actually pretty tasty. If I had money and the means to keep it, I might have bought some.
You never know when a festival shrine might interrupt your daily business in Japan.
Next stop was the Hyôgo Prefectural Museum of Art. Fortune favored the prepared mind once again as Mako had somehow pre-arranged for us to receive tickets without payment! Either that, or her friend bought them for us, I'm not 100% sure what happened. What's important is that I was again spared the embarrassment of asking Mako to pay. The museum was pretty cool as they are currently featuring a variety of artifacts from the Silk Road, many of them over a thousand years old. I was also intrigued by the numerous works by Japanese painters, a group underrepresented in most Western art museums. Were they any good? I couldn't tell you that but we definitely had a good time.
After the museum we ate lunch in a nearby cafe where I was forced to reveal my secret: I didn't have enough money. In most other countries I could have credit-carded my way out of the predicament but Japan doesn't work that way; 90% of business is cash. Thankfully, Scott arrived (virtually speaking) in the nick of time. He had sent me a random e-mail during lunch and I responded by asking if he knew of any ATMs that might accept my US card in Kôbe. He saved the day by replying that there was a Citibank branch near Sannomiya Station, coincidentally our next destination! What a save by Scott!
We made it to the Citibank where I was indeed able to withdraw enough cash to put my mind at ease. We spent the next few hours sitting in a very nice park near Kôbe City Hall, just talking and - dare I say it - being "close." That doesn't mean kissing but it does mean that I'm pretty sure this was officially a date, unless I am the worst interpreter of body language in history.
We were both pretty stuffed from our late lunch near the museum but after night fell we went to a nearby German beer hall. That is, it had a German name (München which curiously becomes myunhen in Japanese) and it served beer but otherwise there wasn't anything particularly German about the place. We each had a giant glass of beer (which was actually the medium size) and some appetizers but nothing else. By then it was high time to return to our respective homes but we agreed to meet again really soon.
It's vital that I not get overly excited about the apparent awesomeness of what happened today. Expectations ruin everything and I can't allow mine to spoil what seems to be an unmitigated success by anticipating where this is going. Instead, I'm just going to acknowledge my present state of happiness and look forward to our next date with a smile on my face.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I was up super early (despite last night's boozing) to hit Kôbe for another "date" with Mako. I'm still hesitant to use that word, in part because I'm a coward but mostly because I still wasn't sure where we stood going into today's meeting. Sure, I had lots of fun last time and by agreeing to a second meeting she seemed to confirm that she did too, but if I assume too much about her I could easily end up making an ass of myself.
I was way ahead of myself in that department when I realized that I forgotten to bring enough money with me when I left my room this morning. I had enough to get to Kobe and back but not much else! I could have kicked myself for being so stupid! Worse yet, it was too late to turn back as I was already running late. I had an idea on how to solve this problem but we'll get back to that later.
Mako met on time (more or less) and our first stop was the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. Not only was it an amusing look at how sake was made (complete with vintage film footage from the 1920's), there was no admission charge (double bonus with my money shortage) and we also got a free cup of their brew to taste. The video advised us that professionals spit out the sake after tasting it but advised us "to enjoy it as we see fit." In other words, I drank it. Mako didn't care for it much but I thought it was actually pretty tasty. If I had money and the means to keep it, I might have bought some.
You never know when a festival shrine might interrupt your daily business in Japan.
Next stop was the Hyôgo Prefectural Museum of Art. Fortune favored the prepared mind once again as Mako had somehow pre-arranged for us to receive tickets without payment! Either that, or her friend bought them for us, I'm not 100% sure what happened. What's important is that I was again spared the embarrassment of asking Mako to pay. The museum was pretty cool as they are currently featuring a variety of artifacts from the Silk Road, many of them over a thousand years old. I was also intrigued by the numerous works by Japanese painters, a group underrepresented in most Western art museums. Were they any good? I couldn't tell you that but we definitely had a good time.
After the museum we ate lunch in a nearby cafe where I was forced to reveal my secret: I didn't have enough money. In most other countries I could have credit-carded my way out of the predicament but Japan doesn't work that way; 90% of business is cash. Thankfully, Scott arrived (virtually speaking) in the nick of time. He had sent me a random e-mail during lunch and I responded by asking if he knew of any ATMs that might accept my US card in Kôbe. He saved the day by replying that there was a Citibank branch near Sannomiya Station, coincidentally our next destination! What a save by Scott!
We made it to the Citibank where I was indeed able to withdraw enough cash to put my mind at ease. We spent the next few hours sitting in a very nice park near Kôbe City Hall, just talking and - dare I say it - being "close." That doesn't mean kissing but it does mean that I'm pretty sure this was officially a date, unless I am the worst interpreter of body language in history.
We were both pretty stuffed from our late lunch near the museum but after night fell we went to a nearby German beer hall. That is, it had a German name (München which curiously becomes myunhen in Japanese) and it served beer but otherwise there wasn't anything particularly German about the place. We each had a giant glass of beer (which was actually the medium size) and some appetizers but nothing else. By then it was high time to return to our respective homes but we agreed to meet again really soon.
It's vital that I not get overly excited about the apparent awesomeness of what happened today. Expectations ruin everything and I can't allow mine to spoil what seems to be an unmitigated success by anticipating where this is going. Instead, I'm just going to acknowledge my present state of happiness and look forward to our next date with a smile on my face.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
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