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In all seriousness, some of you might not appreciate some of the things I am about to tell you about, but I find it neccessary in order for you to get a feel of my experience in Japan. The train ride to Tokyo is when it all started, but isn't it always the case with me. I was doing fine until a man from Uganda sat next to me. He was dressed like all the men I've seen from Africa, iin trendy Nike and other American apparell, thus making him look like he's from New York City. He began the conversation politely enough. I was reading a book and he asked if I would be be bothered if he talked with me for a while. I said it was fine, and so the questions began in the usual manner: MAN: How long will you be in Japan? Valerie: One year? [mistake #1] M:What are you doing? V: I'm an English teacher. M: Where so you live? V: Ota. M: Are you married? V: No. (Crap, I know where this is heading.) [mistake #2] M: Do you have a boyfriend? V: Yes. M: Where does he live? V: In America. [mistake #3] Anyway, I told him I was getting married when I returned to America, because that seemed the most logical thing to say. He went on to say that he has an American girlfriend in Osaka, but she moved back to the states. He says that he liked American girls, like me. He wanted an American girlfriend. He didn't like Japanese women or Japanese in general. The conversation wandered around this topic for a while. He was telling me why he didn't like Japanese, but I couldn't understand most of what he was saying because of his accent. But after continuing the conversation, I can hypothesise pretty acurately what he was saying. So he wanted to know where I was going and why. I said I was meeting some friends in Tokyo. He wanted to know if I was going to see my boyfriend there, even though I had already told him a couple times that he lives in America. He wanted to know if I was going to see girlfriends or guyfriends, and I told him guyfriends, which was the truth. He kept asking variations of this guyfriend /boyfriend question. He seemed to think that maybe one of these people I was meeting was my Japan boyfriend. Then he asked what I did for fun. I told him I went out with friends, watched movies, etc. He wasn't happy with this answer. Wanted to know how I could have fun without a boyfriend in Japan, and why I didn't have one here. I kept saying that I enjoy myself and have fun here, and that I loved my boyfriend in the US, and that we were going to get married when I got back. Why on earth would a want a boyfriend here and in the US? This went on for a while, and he said that we could have fun together. By this time, I was sure I knew that the word he meant to use really wasn't fun, but I pretended not to understand what he meant. But then he landed a bomb by asking: "Are you a virgin?" That ended the coversation. I told him he was rude and it was an inappropriate question. I picked up the book I'd been reading, and he didn't bother me again. I don't understand what goes on in these people's minds. I understand that Japanese are wary of them for many reasons, and that makes for a lonely life for them, but come on! If they wanted companionship, they should go to the hostess bars. They cost a lot, but it's got to be better than trying to pick up every blond girl they meet. I got into Tokyo and went to Ochanomizu station to see Mitsuo, my Japanese friend from high school. He and three of his friends skipped class and we went to an Italian restaurant. I felt like laughing because his friends' English level was about second grade, so I felt like I was at school. But it was nice to have a conversation with people my age. Mitsuo and his friend Shinpzo helped us with translations, and it made for a nice afternoon. They then helped me look for a Lonely Planet tour guide for Thailand. We went to about 5 stores, with only 3 umbrellas to shield the 5 of us from the pouring rain. I finally did find it, and was really bad because I spent at total of 20,000 yen on 3 books. It was difficult to restain myself from buying even more. During the course of the day, Mitsuo raved about his best friend Kazuya. From the moment he sat down, Mitsuo began. His first comment was, "Isn't Kazuya handsome?" He was all smiles and tried to get us to converse as much as possible. He loured us into to doing print club, but Mitsuo refused to get in the picture with us. He kept telling us to get closer to each other, and couldn't beleive what a great photo it was. All night long he talked about Kazuya and how he really enjoyed talking to me. so either Mitsuo is in love with this guy, or he was trying to spark some romance. But this seems a bit silly since Kazuya speaks at 2nd grade level and I speak Japanese at a two-year-old level. But I will admit that his friend is cute and is very interesting from what I could discern. Well, I had come to Toyko because Mike Plichta was in town and staying with Kanno. I felt like a stalker by the end of the day because I left about 10 messages. I only talked to KAnno once, and wenever made definite plans for what we were going to do, only that we would meet at midnight in Roppongi, and if we were late, just call his cell phone. Of course we were late, and of course his cell phone wasn't working. I was panicking. Mitsuo's friend had been gracious enough to drive us to Roppongi, and so Mitsuo, Kazuya, and I were in Roppongi without any clue of where to go to find them. So we were stuck there until the subways started running at 5:00 am. I was really embarrassed. So Mitsuo suggested we walk to this one bar that he really likes. Kanno, Mike, and friends weren't in there, so we left. By some act of God, Kanno was standing in the street, attempting to make a phone call. He had discovered his phone wouldn't work inside the bar. So we were VERY lucky. And the night continued. Kanno was with friends from work, both American and Japanese. They all were very friendly, one in particular. There was a girl, Yuki who is a student of Kanno. She got along with everyone. She and Kanno seemed particularly friendly, but that soon changed. The bar closed at 5:00, at it was time to go to the subway. It was at this time that I first talked to Yuki. I guess she must have liked me too, because she kissed me on the lips many times. She also took my arm as we walked, and she complimented me, saying that I must be very smart. she also took two opportunities to grab my brest. I had to remove her hand myself, because she seemed to think it was there to stay. My first experience. After that, I decided to walk with Mitsuo, so that left Kazuya to talk with Yuki (Kanno and Mike took a different subway line). Kazuya seemed to get along pretty well with Yuki, because Mitsuo and I lost them for a while. When I found them, they were on the escalator, and Kazuya had his hands on Yuki's breasts, and she obviously didn't mind. So there went my good opinion of him. This sparked a conversation of Japanese values versus American values. i am sure that religion or lack of has a lot to do with the actions of people, and probably played a small role in the occurrences of the weekend. I can't really expand on it much more, because I had a discussion with one Japanese guy who is probably the best representation on Japanese people. Anyway, I got home and finally in bed by 7:30. Let me tell you how tired I still am. Sunday I got earlyish in hopes of seeing Kanno and Mike, but that didn't happen. So Mitsuo and I went for a Pizza Hut lunch at 2:00. (Just like pan pizza at home!). After that we went to Shibuya (correct me if I am wrong, Mitsuo) to find the GAP. What an ordeal that was! It was Sunday so the roads were blocked off for pedestrians, vendors, and bands. Of course, I did see the 1950's greaser dancers. But the biggest discovery of the day was that you can buy gyiros (excuse the spelling) in Japan. We found 2 street vendors that sold them. Unfortunately, I was too full to try them. But they must taste somewhat similar. So after hours of walking, not finding the GAP, we found some people who had GAP bags, and we found it after asking 2 people. To my great disappointment, the GAP caters to foreigners. This would be good, but I am not a tall gaijin. I have to buy petite at home, but petite only came in sizes 0-2, so I was out of luck. But I was desperate for a pair of pants, so I bought some anyway. I would also have been better off, had there been odd sizes. I am a bit too small for a 6, but too big for a 4. Ce la vie. Also, sale stuff was better for guys. My pants were on sale for 4,780 yen, and the guys stuff was only 2,900 yen. I would have gotten the guy stuff, but it was way too long. I just can't win, can I? I must also tell you about another trend in Japan, Burberry. I suspect most of you know the brand, specializes in plaid patterns. We found a store, so I had to check out the prices. Now, Burberry scarves are popular with high school girls, and I know this for 2 reasons. #1 The pattern is unmistakable. #2 The scarves are tied so the tag is on display. >After seeing the prices in the store, I understand why the tags are displayed. One scarf costs 17,000 yen ($1=125 yen). I thought maybe it was just the fabric, but an umbrella was 11,000 yen. I was too disgusted to look at anything else. While we were walking we saw women wearing entire Burberry ensemble from scarf to purse. But scarves are not just a Tokyo fad, I am sure it is nation-wide.
Valerie Straayer
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