Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Stupid gaijin moment #3
Hasn't been long since the last one. Hope this isn't a trend. This moment wasn't really caused by me being foreign; I could've just as easily done it at home, but the solution would have been SOO much easier in Canada, where I speak the language. Last night I discovered just how far my car can go on empty. Not very. I almost went to the gas station by my house after school yesterday, but you have to make a right hand turn out of it, and there was alot of traffic, so I decided to wait until I had to leave for Japanese class. When I tried to leave, my car wouldn't start. First time I've ever run out of gas. I walked to the station in hopes that it would still be open, trying to form in my mind how I would get across that I needed gas. Keep in mind, I don't even know how to say "gas" in japanese, so it would have come out something like this: "gasu o irimasu. watashi no kuruma wa ie de arimasu." I need gas. My car is at my house. (I think.) Which probably would've gottena blank stare. Luckily, since I was already late for class, my Japanese teacher called me to see if I was coming, and I kept her on the line and asked her to talk to the gas lady for me and explain my situation. The gas lady (she's like 80 and tiny) drove me back to my car and put gas in my tank for me. She was so nice. You can't tip in Japan, so I'm going to bring her a present later today. Anyways, I finally made it to class, and now I know my car doesn't ride on fumes for long:)
Friday, November 17, 2006
1st run-in with the cops
Not as bad as it sounds. On my way home last night there was a roadblock. The police were pulling everyone over. The cop who asked me to roll down my window was female and very nice. This was lucky because I had forgotten to grab my IDP (international driver's liscence) when I switched purses. She said a bunch of stuff in Japanese and looked at me expectantly, and even though I understood the gist of what she said, I replied, " Sorry, I don't understand." (In english of course.) And wouldn't you know, she spoke english! Thankfully, she didn't seem to be aware of IDPs and was satisfied with my Canadian driver's liscence. Just in case the next time I don't get such a nice cop, I'm gonna answer in french and really throw them for a loop.
You know how difficult it is to get Beaujolais Nouveau at home? (Well, maybe a few of the fellow wine snobs reading this might.) They sell it for one day and it's a mad rush to the liquor/wine store? Well, lo and behold they sell it here too, even in Taki-cho, but my supermarket ordered so much of it (and I'm pretty sure that there aren't that many wine drinkers in my town), that when I went at almost midnight yesterday, there was still enough to last me all year and then some. Apparently Japan is the place to be in November. And here I thought I'd have to give up good wine when I moved to Japan.
You know how difficult it is to get Beaujolais Nouveau at home? (Well, maybe a few of the fellow wine snobs reading this might.) They sell it for one day and it's a mad rush to the liquor/wine store? Well, lo and behold they sell it here too, even in Taki-cho, but my supermarket ordered so much of it (and I'm pretty sure that there aren't that many wine drinkers in my town), that when I went at almost midnight yesterday, there was still enough to last me all year and then some. Apparently Japan is the place to be in November. And here I thought I'd have to give up good wine when I moved to Japan.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Beautiful Autumn in Nara
I had a pretty interesting weekend. Took the train to Nara on Saturday morning to meet up with Akemi, a Japanese girl who I met at Mt A. She took me to Saidaiji temple, where we went to a tea ceremony. This temple is famous because the bowls that it uses for it's tea ceremony are gigantic!! It was very laid back because it was so funny to see everyone attempting to drink out of these huge bowls. Hard to be serious. After the ceremony, a 91 year-old man whom Akemi's father knows, took us on a tour of the buildings around the temple. He has been going there to worship for 25 years, so he knows it well. He explained alot of the history, statues and architecture, and it was to Akemi to translate what she could into English so that I would understand. (She did a marvellous job:)) 
We then went to Yakushiji Temple, another famous temple in Nara. Here I found out my fortune. There is a box containing many small envelopes. You take one in exchange for 200 or so yen (~$2), and read the fortune. If it is a good fortune, you can tie the strip of paper to a rope with many other people's fortunes. Mine was good, although it told me that I should work harder, so I tied it on.
I met Akemi's family over dinner, and they were so nice to me!! I really enjoyed spending time with them, and her mom even made me pinky swear to come back again!!
On Sunday, Akemi and I went to Osaka Castle (really more of a museum now), which was really interesting, and beautiful. The highlight of the day was when I got to try on battle gear and pose for pictures. You should've seen the crowd gathered to watch me make a fool of myself. It was awesome!!
We also saw Tsutenkaku Tower, which is surrounded by streets with small shops, only most of the shops were closed!! When Akemi asked a shopowner why, he said that the sons of the families that owned them didn't want the shops, so they had no one to run them. Only about half, or maybe less, of the shops there were open. It gave the area the atmosphere of a ghost town.
We then went to Yakushiji Temple, another famous temple in Nara. Here I found out my fortune. There is a box containing many small envelopes. You take one in exchange for 200 or so yen (~$2), and read the fortune. If it is a good fortune, you can tie the strip of paper to a rope with many other people's fortunes. Mine was good, although it told me that I should work harder, so I tied it on.
I met Akemi's family over dinner, and they were so nice to me!! I really enjoyed spending time with them, and her mom even made me pinky swear to come back again!!
On Sunday, Akemi and I went to Osaka Castle (really more of a museum now), which was really interesting, and beautiful. The highlight of the day was when I got to try on battle gear and pose for pictures. You should've seen the crowd gathered to watch me make a fool of myself. It was awesome!!
We also saw Tsutenkaku Tower, which is surrounded by streets with small shops, only most of the shops were closed!! When Akemi asked a shopowner why, he said that the sons of the families that owned them didn't want the shops, so they had no one to run them. Only about half, or maybe less, of the shops there were open. It gave the area the atmosphere of a ghost town.
Finally we went to Namba, a fashionable shopping/ dining district in Osaka. We shopped for a bit, had dinner, and then it was time for me to head back to the country. I'm not sure why, because I think Taki is at around the same latitude as Nara (don't quote me on that), but the leaves have changed colour there and are beautiful in red, yellow and orange, while almost everything here is still green:(
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Borat gets 2 thumbs up!!
For those of you who haven't yet watched Borat's new movie, "Cultural learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan": watch it. I couldn't wait for it to come to DVD (no chance of it coming to theatres here, Japanese people would definitely NOT get the humour), so I downloaded a handicam version, and even with the less than stellar quality it was hilarious.
Not too much has happened in the last little while. I bought a sofa and loveseat, because I'm tired of sitting on the floor and I got jealous of my friend who has couches... but they won't be delivered for another two weeks. My apartment is getting really cold, and I'm dreading the winter. It's actually still pretty warm outside: 20's during the day, maybe 10 or so at night, but there's no such thing as central heating, so what you get outside is what you get inside, making for cold nights. There are a few substitutions for central heating though. The one that I might start using tonight is called a Kotatsu. It's a table with a heater under it. You put a blanket over the table, and then the table top over the blanket, and you sit with your legs under the blanket. Very common in Japan to use sit here while eating mikan (clementines). Incidentally, my agriculture students have their own farm, so I get mikan very cheaply:) Another heating option is a kerosene heater, which apparently will heat my whole apartment, but also stink it up, so I'll have to air it out frequently. For now, I'm not using anything, but I did buy a huge furry blanket to cuddle under:)
I'll have more exciting things to write about next week since I'm off to Nara to visit a Japanese friend this weekend (Akemi, a girl who came to Mt A for 3 months), but for now, I'd like to leave you with an excerpt from a book I'm reading which was written by an American living in Japan, about the many problems he has faced over the years. (Japan: It's not all raw fish, by Don Maloney)
The following are the rules of the road in Tokyo as he sees them, although I'm pretty sure that most of them apply down here in the country as well. The bold comments in paranthese are my comments).
"First of all, never observe the posted speed limits. The numbers on those signs are obviously put there by the same people who put the numbers on the "Suggested List Price" tags in discount stores back in Cleveland. The only difference is that you divide the list prices by two; you multiply the speed limit numbers by two." (There are however, speed traps, with signs that warn you that they're coming up, so learn the kanji and slow down momentarily. Speed tickets here run up to $1000 plus a day in court and driving lessons.)
Do observe very carefully the "No Right Turn" and "One Way" signs. But, never miss an opportunity to make a U-turn, no matter what the signs say. (I can't read any sign, so I ignore them all, ESPECIALLY the no U-turn ones... I think.)
At an intersection, never stop for a red light unless it has been red for at least five seconds. And never, NEVER stop for a yellow light. Once you have stopped for a red light, don't wait for it to turn green before you take off. As soon as you spot the light turning yellow for the cars crossing in front of you, go. (Since cars don't stop for yellow- or red- lights, the latter rule is one I don't follow. I do, however, abide by the former rule.)
If you are planning to turn right at the next intersection, be certain to get into the far left lane. Once securely all the way over to the left, turn on your right turn directional signal and cut across the traffic. (Do this all the time- usually by accident though.)
You can almost never find a curb-side parking area on "No Parking" streets like Roppongi. There are always other cars already parked there. Simply double park." (Note: you can park anywhere as long as you put your hazard lights on.)
"If you are trying to pull out from a side street into a busy thoroughfare, don't wait for a break in the traffic. Simply put up your hand, the back of it facing the side window of your car. Wave it back and forth- doing a slightbow at the same time- and pull out. Answer any horn-blowing by blowing your own.
When you are fortunate enough to find a street with two lanes or more- like Aoyama Dori- don't ever stay in one of those lanes for more than half a block.. Keep switching.
Every time you do stop in traffic, pull on your emergency brake. If it's night time, turn off your headlights. Everybody else thinks you've parked there, and you catch them well off guard when you speed away. (Haven't seen this yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.)
Remember that trucks, buses and taxis in Japan always have the right of way. If you don't believe this, try to take it away from one of them. (On the other hand, ambulances and police cars with their sirens on don't have the right of way. Often I'm the only one pulled over to let an ambulance pass... Remind me to drive myself to the hospital if I ever need to go (knock on wood).)
Pedestrians have the right of way inTokyo only if they are already in front of your car. If they're not already in front, you must do everything you can to prevent them from getting there- even if their hand are up or they are carrying that little yellow flag. (It really should be a white flag.) (This is particularly annoying when you are the pedestrian, however I'm not nearly as passive as most Japanese, and I make the cars stop for me.)
No matter why the car in front of you has stopped, blow your horn at him. And keep blowing it until he moves. Do not exhibit patience under any cicumstances. (This must be a big city thing. I think I've only heard a horn once since I got here. And I don't know what mine sounds like.)
Move your eyes around all you want, but always keep your head pointing straight to the front. If you turn your head, the drivers on either side may think you see them edging in on you and keep coming. If they don't think you see them, they might not. (I even have a special mirror in my car that allows me to see my passengers without turning my head. Didn't realize why till I read this.)
During rush hours, especially, always block intersections. After all, if you let the cars enter form side streets, your street will become even more crowded.
Those general rules above apparently apply to everyone. There is one rule for foreigners only: In the event a policeman takes issue with you over any infraction of the traffic rules, you must never admit to him that you speak one word of Japanese no matter how much you've spent for language lessons. You might try just repeating "Gomen nasai," (I'm sorry) but never any other Japanese. And, if he speaks some English, don't answer except by telling him over and over that his English is magnificent. (We call this "playing the gaijin card" and even the Japanese people I know have told me to do this if I ever get in trouble. Apparently it works, unless you look asian and they don't believe that you don't speak Japanese, like my friend Doug.)
Thanks for reading:) Later.
Not too much has happened in the last little while. I bought a sofa and loveseat, because I'm tired of sitting on the floor and I got jealous of my friend who has couches... but they won't be delivered for another two weeks. My apartment is getting really cold, and I'm dreading the winter. It's actually still pretty warm outside: 20's during the day, maybe 10 or so at night, but there's no such thing as central heating, so what you get outside is what you get inside, making for cold nights. There are a few substitutions for central heating though. The one that I might start using tonight is called a Kotatsu. It's a table with a heater under it. You put a blanket over the table, and then the table top over the blanket, and you sit with your legs under the blanket. Very common in Japan to use sit here while eating mikan (clementines). Incidentally, my agriculture students have their own farm, so I get mikan very cheaply:) Another heating option is a kerosene heater, which apparently will heat my whole apartment, but also stink it up, so I'll have to air it out frequently. For now, I'm not using anything, but I did buy a huge furry blanket to cuddle under:)
I'll have more exciting things to write about next week since I'm off to Nara to visit a Japanese friend this weekend (Akemi, a girl who came to Mt A for 3 months), but for now, I'd like to leave you with an excerpt from a book I'm reading which was written by an American living in Japan, about the many problems he has faced over the years. (Japan: It's not all raw fish, by Don Maloney)
The following are the rules of the road in Tokyo as he sees them, although I'm pretty sure that most of them apply down here in the country as well. The bold comments in paranthese are my comments).
"First of all, never observe the posted speed limits. The numbers on those signs are obviously put there by the same people who put the numbers on the "Suggested List Price" tags in discount stores back in Cleveland. The only difference is that you divide the list prices by two; you multiply the speed limit numbers by two." (There are however, speed traps, with signs that warn you that they're coming up, so learn the kanji and slow down momentarily. Speed tickets here run up to $1000 plus a day in court and driving lessons.)
Do observe very carefully the "No Right Turn" and "One Way" signs. But, never miss an opportunity to make a U-turn, no matter what the signs say. (I can't read any sign, so I ignore them all, ESPECIALLY the no U-turn ones... I think.)
At an intersection, never stop for a red light unless it has been red for at least five seconds. And never, NEVER stop for a yellow light. Once you have stopped for a red light, don't wait for it to turn green before you take off. As soon as you spot the light turning yellow for the cars crossing in front of you, go. (Since cars don't stop for yellow- or red- lights, the latter rule is one I don't follow. I do, however, abide by the former rule.)
If you are planning to turn right at the next intersection, be certain to get into the far left lane. Once securely all the way over to the left, turn on your right turn directional signal and cut across the traffic. (Do this all the time- usually by accident though.)
You can almost never find a curb-side parking area on "No Parking" streets like Roppongi. There are always other cars already parked there. Simply double park." (Note: you can park anywhere as long as you put your hazard lights on.)
"If you are trying to pull out from a side street into a busy thoroughfare, don't wait for a break in the traffic. Simply put up your hand, the back of it facing the side window of your car. Wave it back and forth- doing a slightbow at the same time- and pull out. Answer any horn-blowing by blowing your own.
When you are fortunate enough to find a street with two lanes or more- like Aoyama Dori- don't ever stay in one of those lanes for more than half a block.. Keep switching.
Every time you do stop in traffic, pull on your emergency brake. If it's night time, turn off your headlights. Everybody else thinks you've parked there, and you catch them well off guard when you speed away. (Haven't seen this yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.)
Remember that trucks, buses and taxis in Japan always have the right of way. If you don't believe this, try to take it away from one of them. (On the other hand, ambulances and police cars with their sirens on don't have the right of way. Often I'm the only one pulled over to let an ambulance pass... Remind me to drive myself to the hospital if I ever need to go (knock on wood).)
Pedestrians have the right of way inTokyo only if they are already in front of your car. If they're not already in front, you must do everything you can to prevent them from getting there- even if their hand are up or they are carrying that little yellow flag. (It really should be a white flag.) (This is particularly annoying when you are the pedestrian, however I'm not nearly as passive as most Japanese, and I make the cars stop for me.)
No matter why the car in front of you has stopped, blow your horn at him. And keep blowing it until he moves. Do not exhibit patience under any cicumstances. (This must be a big city thing. I think I've only heard a horn once since I got here. And I don't know what mine sounds like.)
Move your eyes around all you want, but always keep your head pointing straight to the front. If you turn your head, the drivers on either side may think you see them edging in on you and keep coming. If they don't think you see them, they might not. (I even have a special mirror in my car that allows me to see my passengers without turning my head. Didn't realize why till I read this.)
During rush hours, especially, always block intersections. After all, if you let the cars enter form side streets, your street will become even more crowded.
Those general rules above apparently apply to everyone. There is one rule for foreigners only: In the event a policeman takes issue with you over any infraction of the traffic rules, you must never admit to him that you speak one word of Japanese no matter how much you've spent for language lessons. You might try just repeating "Gomen nasai," (I'm sorry) but never any other Japanese. And, if he speaks some English, don't answer except by telling him over and over that his English is magnificent. (We call this "playing the gaijin card" and even the Japanese people I know have told me to do this if I ever get in trouble. Apparently it works, unless you look asian and they don't believe that you don't speak Japanese, like my friend Doug.)
Thanks for reading:) Later.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Caffeine high
Hey, it's Wednesday night, I'm sitting at home, and I drank waaay too much coffee tonight, so I'm writing because I'm bored. Not much is new, although I did find a fun detour on my way home from school in Ise today. I stopped at the mall, which is home to a real coffee shop(with non-fat lattes, yum), and lots of nice stores. I bought an awesome hoody that I've had my eye on for awhile now. It says SWE (I think short for sweden) and a picture of a crown, and then it says, in small print: "Life in the forest in Europe was enclosed by the abundant vegetation and the animal and was vivid." My 1st Engrish!!! Had to have it b/c of the Swedish reference. I also booked my trip to Vietnam today !!! Well, the flights anyway. I'm going with a cool girl from Ottawa, who lives in Shizuoka (another prefecture) and we're going for about 2 weeks, and spending New Year's Eve in Beijing. I'm so excited I can't stand it!! Definitely not helping with my restlesness tonight. Ok, can't think of anything else worthwhile to write, but at least that ate up a little time:) Later dudes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)