I am disappointed. Moreover, I am a freak. I needa new pair of trainers, especially as my old pair are not only looking rather dilapidated, but are also doubling up as a gym pair due to lack of space in my case when I arrived here. I have had my eyes on two lovely pairs of Vans for weeks (see below). At only 3900 yen (less than 25 gbp), I looked at them lovingly every time I passed the shop, trying to make up my mind whether I prefered the pink pair, or the orangey-red pair. I finally went to buy them this week, only to discover that they are "ladies'" trainers. This means that they only go up to American size 6. As I am American size 9, a UK size 7, it is impossible for me to buy trainers unless I buy the mens' styles, which aren't half as cool (and are generally more expensive). I realise Japanese women are more "petite" but its not like I'm huge or anything, and a lot of them aren't as small as you would expect! I couldn't beleive it and now feel like Big Foot or something. As for the trainers, my battered Ellesses will have to have another couple of months wear.
On the bright side, on Thursday we went to check out Nagai stadium, venue for the England v. Nigeria World Cup match in Osaka. We even found a door that had been left open by workmen, and found ourselves on the pitchside! (We were too scared to actually run onto the pitch itself!) The stadium is huge and is set in a pleasant park. My only concern is the amount of homeless people living in tents, cardboard houses, etc in the park. I can't see Japan wanting to reveal its ugly underbelly to the world come World Cup time, and given the Japanese authorities' habit of simply destroying homeless people's dwellings and looking the other way, I am worried about them.
On Monday we are off to see the Charlatans near to Osaka castle - yeah!
Tonight we are celebrating our friend Robbe's birthday at the 280 bar. This is a wonderful little place where everything (small beer, large beer, spirits, 2 delicious chicken kebabs, a bowl of fries, etc) costs only 280 yen! We have made habit of going there on Tuesday nights to start the weekend!
That's all for now,
Nic.
