Here’s a brief, cryptic travel log of my trip to Japan.
Odin’s Day, 22nd
I leave from LAX. Long flight. Hot Japanese stewardess. Sat next to a Nepalese cruise ship security personnel on the right and an old, Texan doctor with a Thai wife (and hot, though unfortunately under aged daughters; silly, silly laws). Me and the Texan talked about nerdy things like the flora around our respective areas we live and biotech.. I told him my future-major is biology. Me and the Nepalese d00d talked about.. I dunno. We joked a lot. Thai people bow funnily.
Thor’s Day, 23rd
I arrived in Japan. Morisawa-san of Fuji Impulse takes me to a Subway (the restaurant, not the mode of transportation). I talk on and on with my friend Mike on my cell phone about what we’re gonna do. Subways in Japan don’t have Avocado. Why?!!
Frigg’s Day, 24th
I worked at Fuji Impulse, the supplier for my father’s company, the whole day pretty much. I learned about the new machines they are working on and argued with the engineers about new features I think they should add. After that, we went to a Japanese biergarten. An integral part of Japanese business culture is… drinking.
Saturn’s Day, 25th
This day, I went to Kyoto thinking I’d meet a lot of people. I learned that concentration of people isn’t directly proportional to how easy it is to meet people. In fact, it appears to be inversely proportional! I talked to some people. Couples are the best to talk to, I think. They need someone to distract them before they get sick and tired of eachother.
Sun’s Day, 26th
I spent this day with Mike and his girlfriend, Mami. It was a lot of no-frills fun. We met at the Hirakata station (which brings back so many memories). We videotaped a phony show where I stopped Japanese people and asked them questions ranging from “what’s your favorite Japanese food” to “what do you think about the Iranian elections.” We ate at two different restaurants because I’m a vegan and Mike is allergic to stuff. I’ve never been at an “Italian” restaurant that didn’t have pepper! Their spaghetti was pretty good, though. After that, we walked along the riverside. Mike played baseball with some little kids. Then, we had shaved ice and walked back to the station. At the station, we just sat and talked a lot. The breeze was nice. Mike’s girlfriend is cute, but she’s pretty mean (just kidding, Mami!)
They went home to have dinner, so I went to Kyoto to eat at Café Peace. I was angered to find the place wasn’t open. So, I walked back to the train angrily and literally stumbled upon another cooler place.. A falafel restaurant. So cool, all these Japanese hipsters eating middle-eastern food. I tell you though, I’ve never seen ketchup on a pita before.
Moon’s Day, 27th
Today, I went with Tarumoto-san and Hui-san of Fuji Impulse to the Rokko Mountains above Kobe. This day wasn’t about business, but it was with the business people. The mountains were beautiful. This time of the year, many species of hydrangeas are blooming. I took many pictures. After that, we went to Yum Jamu, which is the best restaurant on the planet. They call themselves “demi-veg” because most of their dishes are vegetarian. It’s like Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Korean… or something like that. I’m gonna figure out how to make my own Vietnamese dumplings like they made it…
Tiw’s Day, 28th
I was supposed to leave for home today, but I didn’t like that idea one bit! So, I moved it over one more day. Good thing. This had to be the best day there. I wish there were more days like this one. I met Mike at the Hirakata station once again. This time, we’d be heading to our old school, Kansai Gaidai. Mike has to save money because they won’t give this poor immigrant a job. We ran into our old teachers there, Koji-sensei and Kawano-sensei. They were appalled by how poor me and Mike’s Japanese still are (hehe, j/k). We talked to sooo many people. The coolest people we talked to were these two sarcastic chix0ren we ran in to.
I had to get back early because I stupidly told Tarumoto I’m staying another day. He used that as an opportunity to try to set me up with Mizukami-san. Damn, that was awkward. She’s be cuter if she wasn’t fat. Also, I really like shy Japanese girls, but she was too shy. Kinda creeped me out.
Odin’s Day, 29th
Today, I returned, but not before shopping a lot. I bought myself some Japanese shirts and things. Then I got on the plane and once again said goodbye to the land of the rising sun. I’ll be back again!
On the plane ride back, I met this Japanese girl. She was pretty cute, but I could tell she was about 5 years older. She couldn’t.. Things were going pretty good; I gave her my contact info. She said she’d visit me. She kinda slept on me too… She kept on looking at me all dreamily. Weird Japanese girls.. psh. THEN, she asked me how old I am and I said 22. Man, that flipped her out. She kept on asking that over and over again. I hope she still comes over like she said she would. I don’t mind that she’s 27. Oh well..