(A day in the Life of Everyones Favorite Gaijin Samurai)
November 4th 2001 was a nice warm sunny day. I was glad because the last few days
have been rainy and cold. I knew I was going to do a lot of walking that day so
I was grateful for the nice weather.
I woke up at my usual (on school days) time of 6:30 out of habit. Which is strange
because I was up late the night before writing a report, which I didn't finish. (more
on that later). I didn't need to be at Nagasaki Station until 10:00 so I took my time going through my morning routine. Unlike in America my grooming activities in
the morning do not include bathing. In Japan(traditionally) no one showers in the
morning, but rather late the night before. Baths are a long involved process in Japan,
with washing and rinsing of the body being done outside of the tub. The bath itself is filled
with intensely hot water, and is for relaxing in after you have finished washing
yourself. Although it took me a little while to get used to the idea of voluntarily
boiling myself every night, now I have grown quite fond of it. But I digress...
I washed my face, brushed my teeth, combed my ever-increasing amount of hair and
shaved. That done I decided to do calastetics for 10 minutes and and go for a little
walk around Nagayo. My walk eventually took me toward Nagayo Station where I boarded my train to Nagasaki. I still arrived about half an hour early. Luckily Nagasaki-eki(station)
has these cool escalators. They brought back memories of visiting the dentist office
and riding the escalator to the top floor (the only good part about going to a dentist as far as I was concerned). This killed the time until Aoi showed up.
Aoi was looking as lovely as ever in a red t-shirt and brown coat (which was unnessesary
considering the weather). Nagasaki Amu-Plaza would not open for another 15 minutes
so we decided to go for a short stroll. This walk took us past the famous Dejima Wharf. Fun Fact:Dejima was the only port open to traders during Japan's period of isolation.
By now it was time to get back to the Plaza. The movie was to start at 11:15.
At the box office we used our student cards to see the movie at the discount
price of 1500 Yen(about $13)! And this was a matinee. I being the gentleman I am,
paid for both tickets to "Sweet November"
"Sweet November" stars Keanu Reeves. An actor who's best role is still in Bill
and Ted's Excellent Adventure. I was expecting a really terrible movie. Was I ever
surprised to find out that I was absolutely right. It was a horrible movie. It
had it's moments.. Like before it started there was this really cool Japanese trailer
for the "Harry Potter" Movie. It got worse from that point. I was worried about
how I was going to make conversation after that, but luckily Aoi wasn't too thrilled
with the movie either.
After this was stopped in the Gap.. to find the prices and styles just as outrageous
as in America. We stayed about.. maybe... 45 seconds. All this shopping, was making
us hungry, so we decided to find a restaurant. After a little walk to Hamano-machi we found this little cafe with a nice view of the city. Ojima-San ordered Italian
food and Mr.Tambornino ordered Japanese food. Anyone else find that kind of ironic?
I being the gentleman I am, let her pay.
Having eaten, it was time to get back to some serious shopping. There was this
cool place she knew of. It was just like the Gap, except the clothes were reasonably
priced and stylish. Finding my size in Japan has always been a problem(especially
shoe shopping) but I managed to put together a rather snappy outfit for 4000 yen (about
$35). She bought a red sweater-type-thing and we decided shopping was at an end
for the day.
Purchases in hand we went to look for a park. We found a nice one with a pretty
view of the harbor. We sat at a park bench and talked. Aoi loves getting her picture taken. It was still sunny. A bit
too sunny, after a while my eyes started watering and my pale white-man flesh was
in danger of burning, so we decided to keep moving.
It was time for a little Purikura. For those not familiar with Purikura(sometimes
called "Print Club"), they are these little photos with sticky backs that you can
take and customize with a light pen in these little booths that are everywhere in
Japan. We took two very.. uhh.. Interesting sets of pictures. Neither turning out as
expected, but fun none the less.
More walking. We walked a lot that day, probably miles, I don't really know. During
these walks we had some very interesting discussions. Occasionally Aoi would say
something that made me do a mental double-take. Here are a few examples:
Kevin: Yes, it seems like whenever I bring my umbrella it's a sunny day, but whenever
I forget it it rains.
Aoi: It seems like God dosn't like you.
Kevin: No, He and I are good friends. He's been very nice to me lately.
Aoi: I think He likes me better than you.
Kevin: Huh?
Aoi: I think so.
Kevin: Why!?
Aoi: Maybe because I am pretty.
and...
Kevin: These new cloths are a little warm to be wearing right now, but they will be
great when I get back to Wisconsin.
Aoi: No, You must wear them in Japan so your friends can all see them.
Kevin: Do you think my friends will like them?
Aoi: If your friends don't say "Wow, you look so cool today" or something... (Slight
pause) I will run up and smack them.
Kevin: Uhh.. thanks.
And of course....
Aoi: This water is so pretty.
Kevin: Maybe we can go in a boat sometime.
Aoi: I think if we were in a boat I would toss you into the water.
Kevin: Why would you do that?
Aoi: Because I hate you! (big smile)
(Kevin's note: She was kidding.... I think)
As 6:00 neared it was time to say goodbye. Aoi went off to her part time job and
I went back to the train station. While waiting for my train I ate some vending
machine takoyaki (Fried octopus things). It wasn't so bad. I took my train back,
thinking about all the unfinished homework that awaited me. (Told you I'd come back to that).
I got off the train at Michino-eki and stared my uphill walk back to my house.
About halfway, my host mother drove by and stopped the car. I was thinking "What
luck, I don't have to walk the rest of the way". But she wasn't driving toward the house. I
didn't notice this for a while. When things started looking unfamiliar, I tried
to ask her where we were going but she doesn't speak English and doesn't seem to
understand my broken Japanese. Finally I pieced the following information together:
A. My host brother was in Fukuowka.
B. Fukuowka is a very nice city.
C. We were going to visit her sister.
D. Her sister is a very good cook.
E. Her friends kids think I'm cool.
F. Her sister lives a long way away.
G. New York is a very dangerous place
H. We would be home at 11:00
I gave myself a pat on the back for understanding A-F, but my mind was on "H". I
had a lot of homework to do that night and a speech to give the next day. I didn't
have time for this. In a brilliant fury of bad Japanese I explained this to my host
mother. She nodded. Stopped the car, got out, and flagged down a Taxi! She gave the
driver directions and some money and waved at me as I doumbfoundedly entered the
spotless interior of the Japanese Taxi. (Yes even the Taxies are clean in Japan)
After about half an hour I was on my doorstep. Next time, I'm just gonna walk the hill.
I went to my room and unpacked my bag. I stared longingly at the Speed videotape
I had been given by Aoi (when she heard I was a fan of Speed, she taped the concert
for me, Nice huh?), but decided I had took much work to do and couldn't take the
time to watch a video. I ate a bowl of rice and some bits of chicken I found, then I
got down to work. I worked for 3 hours straight. During this time I consumed 11
oranges. I am not kidding. I was hungry and Japanese oranges are the best in the
world. Taking a break from this work/orange frenzy I went to take a bath(described above).
After which I went back to work, for about 10 minutes.. Then came the Mysterious
Rice Lady.
I still don't know who she is or what she was doing, but I can describe what
happened. There was a knock on the door and since I was the only person home I had
to answer it. In came this lady. My Japanese skills were pretty good that night.
I was able to introduce myself and ask her what she needed. She wanted to know where my
host mother was. I explained that she was at her sister's house. Then for good
measure explained that her sister was a very good cook. My Japanese really was in
top form. She then asked for my host mothers cell phone number. I gave it to her in perfect
Japanese. Obviously impressed, she walked away. A few minutes later returning with a
large (75-100lbs) bag of rice. It had obviously been a challenge for her to bring
it from her car to the house. She looked like she was going for another one, so I shrugged
my shoulders, put on my shoes and went to help her. 16 bags of rice later, my arms
were tingling and a large pile of rice bags was swaying menacingly in our doorway.
At that she brought in some cases of sake, bowed, and drove away. Like a bizarre Japanese
Santa Clause.
Here's the odd part. The bags of rice are still where I piled them, now two
days later and no one has said a single word about them even though we have to climb
over them to get in the house. Odd.. But maybe things like this happen all the time
and I just don't pay attention.
I went back to my room, ate another orange (I wanted to end on an even number)
and I went to bed dreaming of a blue person and rice. That was my day.
