Busy

I spent the three-day weekend (Monday was a memorial holiday here in Okinawa, and though I have not done the research to determine why, I will presume it is in memory of the many thousands that died in the turmoil of the Second World War) running around and having a blast.

Starting with Saturday morning, I helped MC the first half of the performance before dashing out at half-time to make my way to Naha to catch a flight to Tokyo to meet Andrew and James, a couple of great guys I met on the Rally two years ago.

We started the visit right, with a can of beer in front of the Shinjuku bus terminal. Our first attempt at a bar for the evening - one themed after a mixture of a prison and emergency medical procedures - was not successful, after being told we'd have a table in 15 minutes. I had given my name to the hostess, and when I went back to check on how we were progressing in terms of getting seated, I saw that my name had been penned out. And not just penned, but that really thorough looping penstroke that one uses to completely obliterate any trace of writing. Though we were told we'd only have to wait five more minutes, we decided that we'd have better chances elsewhere. This was also the first moment of several during my time in Tokyo where I thought to myself, "This kind of thing wouldn't happen in Okinawa!" followed by, "I didn't know I already missed it that much."

But our second night was a little better. The day wasn't spectacular, because our plan was to check out Harajuku and even take a few opportunities to chat with any willing people. But the rain kept everyone...I'm not sure really, but wherever it was, it wasn't where we were walking. I was happy to make a nice impulse buy for an Indiana Jones type sidebag, instead of having to trek around with all my miscellaneous items in my pockets.

A littler later on in the afternoon, James and I wandered around Isetan, a relatively high-class shopping establishment in, Shibuya was it? We ate some amazing gelato (I got green tea/vanilla), purchased 50g of 黒毛和牛 kurogewagyuu and marvelled at its deliciousness, and wandered around five levels of department stores looking for the most expensive item from each class of goods. Our most ridiculous find was a pair of mid-length leather boots, with the design of a flowing dragon shaped into the leather. Care to guess at the price?　￥661,000 (highlite the previous space for the answer)

We finished off the main portion of our Tokyo time with 飲み放題 nomihoudai at a great place called Gonpachi, on the 14th floor of a building in Shibuya (though the rain and clouds obscured all the good views). We weren't simply amazed with how good the selection was for the price (three hours for ￥2,500), but also by the service. At one point, we ordered a round of 梅酒 umeshu, a plum liquor, and manager asked us, "And how about a three beers with that?" He also came by when our time limit was almost up, making sure we got one last round for the money. And not to mention the food that we ordered - succulent.

Our last, and most costly, venture was karaoke. Last, because we had to make the 2:00 curfew at the hostel. Most costly, because though I read everything about what we signed up for, I failed to "understand" it. So though I had the money to cover the bill, it was more than I was expecting - but I wasn't really expecting much, since I was off my ass drunk. And finally, upon trying to hail a cab, we were solicited by charming woman working for a soapland. Using the short chat for Japanese practice (lots of new words!), we had to cut her off and get to sleep.

Andrew and James are in Okinawa this week, coming up to Nago tomorrow or the next day. I pondered the thought of getting them into a few of my English classes at my school one day this week. I'm sure it would help to give everyone - students and teachers - a little boost to the week. I'll keep you posted (and write those backlogged stories another time).

PS - though I was not there to see it, apparently one of my students placed third in the Kunigami JHS English Story Telling Contest. It's funny, out of all three I was asked to help, I spent the least time with him just based on bad scheduling. I'm not sure what to think about that... (^_~)