I havent been online much lately. It's kind of nice, probably the first break Ive had from this machine in ten years. For a place with nothing to do Ive been going out quite a bit. I went to an "Irish Pub" called Ell's Ditch after work last night in Tokoyama. It's a regular spot for the small group of English people in south-west Yamaguchi.
A few nights ago (see hang over post) I went out to the "Chicken Shack" for nomihodai (all you can drink for a fixed price/time), then to karaoke with Japanese and English coworkers. After that a few of us stumbled down to a yatai (a tented food stall on the sidewalk with bench seating) for some cheap beers.
And Ive been to some izakayas in Kudamatsu.
Tonight I'll probably stay in, though. Im down to 190¥ and I didnt realize the bank closed at 3pm today, so I cant cash anymore Traveler's Checks until Tuesday (the bank is closed on the weekend and Monday because of a holiday).
It's a funny story, I was at the bank today, to open my account. It was a totally surreal experience. The employees spoke no English. I felt like this special case they'll all go home and tell their spouses about. Im surprised it worked out at all. At one point the teller wanted me to write my address in kanji! She gave up on that fast. I kept shaking my head and saying "no, no!" So when I deposited the required 1000¥ to open the account I saw that was my last bill. So I walked home to get some checks and go back to the bank, and it was closed! I walked all around, went to different banks and stores, no one would exchange my money.
It's ok, though. I should stop spending anyway.
your first post in 3 days?! i was getting worried. not about you - worried that i would have to find another blog about an american's adventures in japan.
ReplyDeletei am really enjoying your travelogue, mostly due to your honest writing style.
and thank goodness for wikipedia where i can look up your japanese transliterated words.
see you around, kiddo!
JPiC
Slow down. Don't release all your boredom in one week. You have to pace your self. Too much interaction with people can have a strange affect on people.
ReplyDelete190 yen... that is less than $2. $2 for the whole weekend. Sounds like someone is eating toast crumbs this weekends.
This there a movie theatre in town?
ha! that's so shiesty... I think banks in italy, are pretty crappy like that too, except they'd speak a little english, but yeah we close them from 1pm to 3-4 pm and then keep them open until 6 or 7... I think.
ReplyDeletebut yeah I'm cooking up a word of the day now.
"THE AMERICAN IS GONE!, LETS CLOSE BANK AND CELEBRATE WITH SAKE!!"
ReplyDeleteTropical the island breeze
ReplyDeleteAll of nature wild and free
This is where I long to be
La isla bonita
And when the samba played
The sun would set so high
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes
Your spanish lullaby
okay. The creepiest thing is the man who is peeking through the shelves at the Chicken Shack, and looking right into the camera. Where did he come from?
ReplyDeleteJon, the man peeking through the shelves is Antonio (or sometimes Bruno), and that's his yatai. The Chicken Shack was another place I didnt photograph. You have to get these things straight if you're coming to visit!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand. Why did you set fire to this Chicken Shack place? And where did that spider go?
ReplyDelete