...So, yes, I've arrived safe and sound, broken free from the boundaries of the program that brought me here, and am spending time with the nicest people in the world, it turns out. This is where the true vacation begins.
And the change was swift, too. I've only been here for 2 days, and today I spoke almost exclulsively in Japanese (except to Mao; we speak in something of a hybrid of the two languages. Often she'll speak to me with English vocab but Japanese grammar: "Everybody ga win da yo"). I must be blending in too, because unprecedentedly, I was approached and asked for directions from a Japanese lady. At first, I thought she was asking if I was lost, but she was saying SHE was lost. Surprisingly I knew where she wanted to go, and since I had just walked from there, was able to direct her. Huh.
So that's it. I just wanted to let you know that I'm here, and haven't died yet. And assuming I don't die from overeating (of the ramen variety) or from drinking snake venom in Okinawa or get impaled by an icicle in Hokkaido, you'll see me again in less than a month. mata ne
Topical words:
- tsurara: icicle
- mitarashidango: the best food ever
- tonkotsu: pork bone-based ramen broth
- hade: flashy -> Kinkakuji
- jimi: plain -> Ginkakuji
- kuri: chestnuts
- mamemaki: scattering parched beans (to drive out evil spirits)
Surprisingly, I actually know that song.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to be reminded you are still out there in the Future.
That is the cutest bus stop I've ever seen. I can picture an old lady just sitting there with a big smile on her face. Just waitin' for the bus.
ReplyDelete@Dave: It's like a plague over here. That and Gee.
ReplyDeleteDon't stand directly under the icicles. When you want to look at them, make sure you look at them from a slight angle. That way in the unlikely but very unfortunate event that they drop, they won't impale your skull.
ReplyDeleteGoogle translate tells me that this is the Japanese term for avoiding this type of incident: 愚かなことはありません. But I don't trust it. The same way I don't trust public toilet seats, arab people on planes (and occasionally the bus) and the east side.
@Midas: Hahaha, that literally translates as something like "No stupid shit", or "Don't be a dumbass."
ReplyDeleteGood advice, I guess.
Nice. Mine in English that I was hoping to translate to was "don't be an idiot".
ReplyDeleteSubtle Office references going on here. wut
Changed my life.
ReplyDelete"that and Gee"
ReplyDeleteYEEEEEEAH
@Peter: NO
ReplyDelete