Trying to catch up...

Minami had to go in for a lot of classes on Tuesday. She ended up not going to any. We slept in and laid around the house until it was time for her to make a plan for an English class later. I knew Minami was going to a car repair shop every week to give some of the employees there as well as the owner a lesson in English, but I had never really been told what the place was like. Before I get to that though, I have to go into the making of the plan. We sat up stairs. I checked email and read the news, while Minami sat, head spinning, and confused about what to do. The employees have little interest in English, but are motivated by relevant material, such as car parts, ordering food, or something related to their job. Minami is not exactly the car expert. After about an hour, we started working together on a plan that would last an hour and a half. 15 minutes later we were done. She was surprised to see how quickly we could make a lesson plan together.
She never drives to the car shop, but rather takes a train to a station close by and is then picked up by car and driven to the shop. This time we drove. It was raining and she was trying to read a map in the dark car. It was around 5:30 at this point. After some driving, turning around, and worry, we found the correct turn and then the shop. We walked in together, and met the gentlemen she works with. They were working under the hoods of cars or on other parts in the corner of the garage. Thinking we would head into the lobby, Minami, three men, and I walked to the center of the garage to where a make shift table had been constructed. She set up a large notepad and the students took out work folders. For the next hour and a half we worked in the middle of a noisy garage, while machines were running, workers, moving around, and music playing. Their eyes lit up when Minami asked me to say a word or phrase for them, and they were excited to see that the English that had learned the passed months actually worked with an English speaker,
Wednesday was a busy today. We headed to Kyoto for Minami’s classes. We had a lot to do that day including a meeting for Minami and the party with her friends that night. Not much happened, and I didn’t visit any temples. In stead I walked around the neighborhood of Ritsumeikan. I got lost, but knew it would be ok, because I had a rough idea of where I was. It turns out that this idea was more rough than I though. Suddenly street signs were no longer in Romaji(Roman Letters). Instead the signs were now all in Kanji. I began to feel a light drizzle from the grey clouds that had rolled in over head. I had no umbrella on this excursion. I walked faster. The streets got even more unfamiliar. Instead of panicking, I let my eyes wander towards the different shops that I was passing. I passed a junior and senior high school. The students were just leaving school. They were riding their bikes every where. I had already been sweating. The heat grew thick. I found my way back to Minami’s school. I had around 15 minutes to cool off before we left for Ritsumeikan Law school, where her meeting would be.
Minami was invited by certain individuals at her school to take part in hosting Yale Alumni and their annual Yale-Gale. I am not entirely sure what that stands for, but it is an initiative where the international academic elite put forth certain values, such as world peace, or something of that nature. We rode a bus with Yumi, a student who had attended American U. the same time Minami did, to the law school. I sat downstairs, while the meeting was going on. Afterwards, Minami came out with an old teacher of hers from junior high school. We rushed to the Sanjo area of Kyoto, where the get together was scheduled to be. Minami and Minami were setting up so we had to be there early. The restaurant was much different than what people in the U.S would be used to. There were separate rooms, small, but could fit 25 + people. There was a bar and two bartenders. I big screen tv with speakers were at one end and the room could barely fit the chairs and tables required for a party. When her friends began to arrive, the Minamis took money and I snapped pictures and video. Some seemed shocked to see me there.
It turns out only 2-3 could speak English. I was introduced and I said nice to meet you in Japanese. Later I had to introduce myself again, since every one took turns around the table, saying what they were into. Of course, I had no clue what anyone was saying. The drinks were all weak, but they kept coming. The food was bite sized. The girls didn’t eat, but ordered drink after drink. They were having a good time, and I was enjoying their excitement. At one point, my Minami was telling the crowd of our engagement, and a couple of her friends huddle by the door. All of a sudden they pulled out and gave Minami a frame of pictures of her and I, which said in the corner ,”Hope you’ll be happy!”. It was quite the moment. Minami was crying. I looked around and so was everyone else. I was a moment that only happens in books, movies, or dreams and I was happy that Minami got to experience it. I would say me, but it was for her. It meant a lot to me that her friends had done something so nice for her.
Afterwards, we were getting ready to head back home. Instead of getting on the train, we decided to go to karaoke. Just Minami and I this time. We stopped at the local store to get some food to take in with us. Minami and I sang for an hour, songs I knew, then songs she knew. We got back late that night, and the house was quiet and dark.
We headed to Kyoto on Thursday. Minami had an English lesson at Ayumi, the woman with the child, Keichiro. Heading out late, we rushed to the Ayumi’s house. It was good to see her again, and we exchanged greetings feeling comfortable with each other. I was on a mission, during the lesson. I knew that my quest to learn the Japanese language had to start some where, so it was going to be rushed a long by learning Hiragana. Japanese writing is made up of three different categories: Hiragana- Japanese characters, Katakana- used for foreign words formulated into the Japanese language, and then kanji- Chinese characters. There are roughly 46 characters for each Hiragana and katakana, with a countless amount Kanji. Almost everything can be said in the first two; however, it is similar to an increasing vocabulary to learn Kanji. Kanji, in turn, is the most difficult. During this lesson I was going to familiarize myself with Hiragana. By the end I had taught my self each character to memory.
Minami and I picked up KFC afterwards and headed to Toyokuni jinja, the shrine where we are planning on having our ceremony. We wanted to see it in better weather than we had seen it before. After this we were going to catch an hour bus ride up to Northern most Kyoto to see Kamigami jinja, the original shrine we were planning on having our ceremony at. Toyokuni was very beautiful and we knew that it was the right location. The bus ride was long, and the food we picked up stayed in the bag, because eating on buses is not allowed. We sat down on the lawn of Kamigami and ate. This shrine was much larger than Toyokuni. The Torii was huge and red. After lounging around the area we headed back to Takashima.
Friday was another day off for Minami. We laid around the house. Minami took me to used comic book store. I wanted to get some books so that I could at least practice reading Hiragana. At this point I didn’t know what I was reading meant; however I could make the sounds that the characters represented. It was at least a start. I picked up a couple books for me and a few for my brother. Minami and I then went to a store to pick up some sake, beer, tea and other beverages for the Shimoda store.
When we returned from our outing, Minami and I went to B and G to use the pool. It was a good swim, much better than Saturday’s. Minami swam a few laps and then walked a few. We ended the swim with a dip in the Jacuzzi. Dinner was good that night. It is great every night. It is always eaten as a family. We all have our designated spots around the table. We have our designated jobs. It is also where I listen to the family speak and I wonder what they are saying.
Minami left for work at the gym very early on Saturday. She had to leave early from the gym to head to her University so she could host the Yale Alumni. I got up late. I headed into Kyoto and walked from the station to The Shijo area. I knew there were some shops there that may have dictionaries. At this point I had mastered Hiragana and was going to move on to Katakana asap. It was hot, and I dressed in a button down and jeans. Of course I was wearing cowboy boots as well. I had to dress somewhat formally so that I could throw on a tie later. I wanted to be a part of the tour Minami was giving and didn’t want to stand out. I respired the whole walk to Shijo. It is about a half hour walk, if one walks at a quick speed. I couldn’t find any dictionaries, but enjoyed looking at the different shops. It was busy. The breath of people that walked through the streets were excited with the feel of the weekend. After a couple hours I stopped at a Lawson’s (like 7-eleven) and got a beverage and a small cake type of food. Was 220yen for both. I searched for a seat outside to enjoy my snack. Finding a seat in Japan is like trying to take money from Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime; there just aren’t any. I managed to find three blocks by a light post, that could be sat on. It was a business area, yet not too much traffic. It was comparable with the likes of New York or DC with fewer people. Minami called as she was heading from one job to the next. He tour was going to begin in two hours. She told me the buses I could get on to get the school, but she sounded like she did not expect me there. So I decided to walk. It took me about two hours to walk from the Shijo area to her University. I got to see a castle, which I believe is called Nijo castle. I wanted to walk so that I could see everything, plus I knew I wouldn’t be able to get on the right bus. I looked at a map I had with me, and thought, “ Hey I am half way.” It turns out it was much further away.
I walked into a small bookstore, hoping to find a dictionary. After looking around the store, I approached the man working behind the calendar. I knew this was the moment. I was going to speak using the little Japanese I knew. I said “Nihongo to Igurusu hon.” which means Japanese and English book. It was a small, almost incoherent phrase; however, the employee knew exactly what I wanted and said dictionary and I answered back with hai. The dictionary he showed me had hiragana to English and no romaji. I left, proud of my first speaking experience.
I saw many other stores on my way and stepped into one more bookstore to practice. I said the same and was understood again. When I got close to the University, I knew that I needed to rehydrate myself and stopped in a 7-eleven for the first time. 7-11 is not the same over here. The ones in the U.S. have a distinct smell to them that I have always looked forward to, since I was a kid. It reminds me of Slurpees during the summer time. This one was much Lawson’s or any other convenient store. I got another beverage and began to finish my 2 hour trip. I found my way. It was just after 4:15 and I visited the bathroom to cool off. I was sweating and my shirt, which was once light blue, was now a dark blue. I took it off in side the stall. I stood there in side the bathroom stall, shirtless and pleased with my journey. Now, I had to cool off, and then find Minami. After cooling off, I reclothed myself and began walking around different areas of the campus. Around 5 P.M. I saw Minami from a distance. She was leading a few older gentlemen and was followed by many students doing the same with other ladies and gentlemen as well. I snuck behind the end of the line and tried to fit in. The line went around the campus and finally walked outside of the campus. I had no idea where they were headed and thought they were dropping the Yale Alumni off at a bus stop. I followed after no one returned. I guessed which way they walked and found out I was right, when I stopped at Museum called the Kyoto World Peace Museum. I sat out front and read a comic I had purchased the day before.
I reunited with Minami at 6:15 and we headed back to Kyoto station to come home. At Kyoto station we went to a desert restaurant and had Hojicha ice cream and green tea ice cream. She told me that the restaurant was well known. On the way out we purchased ice cream to bring back to her parents, which the employee placed in bubble wrap with a container of dry ice.
Sunday was going to be a high pressure day, well that’s what I was told. We were going to Osaka to meet with Minami’s grandparents. Supposedly the first time the grandmother heard that I was not Japanese she was disappointed. So of course, I had to be trained and on my best behavior. Minami had been training me on my Japanese etiquette and I was no doubt ready. The ride was 45 minutes to Kyoto 30 minutes to Osaka. After leaving the Train station in Osaka we went down a quiet street. We stopped by a dark brown building. Minami stuck her head inside the door until a man came out. I was informed that this was Cheiko’s brother. Minami and I went inside the building, which was a coffee shop, while her parents left to go to an apartment where the grandparents lived. Her uncle served us ice coffee. The shop was empty except for some older men in the corner booth. Minami and her uncle had a conversation. I sat and listened. Her uncle point to my shoulders and made a jester that I was big. He asked her how I got so big, and she told him that I was a swimmer.
We took the elevator to a top floor of the apartment building. This was it. I was going to make my big entrance. I did so gently and gracefully with “Dozo Yoroshiku” which is a polite greeting. I bowed. Grandpa bowed back. The family giggled, I found a seat next to Minami. I couldn’t say much. They pointed to my shoulders and said I was big. We were served cold green tea and mochi. It was good mochi, and so was the tea. Grandma and Grandpa were both intrigued by this new visitor. They made glances at me and smiled. I believe they wanted to carry on a conversation. Grandpa tried- grandma brushed him with her hand to say stop. It was a quiet and unconventional meeting. It was effortless and perfect. We got up and put our shoes on as we walked out of the apartment. I was, again, wearing a button down, jeans, and boots. It was ok at this point. As we walked the uncle caught up with us. Every one was chattering. Grandpa kept giving me compliments. Grandma laughed. At some point Grandpa asked if I died my hair, because if I did I wouldn’t be allowed in school. This made the group stop and laugh. Etsuo bent over with one hand on his knee laughing. I said” Kare wa suki desuka (do you like this)” while running my fingers through my hair.
We went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. It was quite the classy restaurant, where the family sat in a private room with a center spinning piece of glass on the table. The chopsticks were shiny metal. Food was elegantly prepared. Again, I impressed the family. My chopsticks were quite good for a foreigner. Even though I couldn’t speak much, I said a few phrases and my wit kept me interesting. I etiquette was impeccable.
We walked through a festival area and then up the steep steps of a castle walk way. We were visiting Osaka-jo. I started to sweat. I sweat so much that my shirt stuck to my back. It was noticeable and I was uncomfortable. Minami and I decided that later I would by a t-shirt to wear. We said good by the grandparents and uncle. Back on a train to another part of Osaka. The first store we visited after this was to get me a tshirt. The family scurried through a crowded 3rd floor looking for a shirt for me. I tried on a couple. Nothing fit me. All the Larges are similar to Smalls and Mediums in Japan. I decided to not get a shirt. The rest of the family shopped around for awhile. We stopped for mochi ice cream and drinks. Mom stopped for beads at a huge bead store. Dad stopped for shoes. Minami stopped for shoes. I followed everyone around just soaking up the experience.
We later went to an area of Osaka where Korean immigrants and descendants have shops selling ethnic food like Kimchi. We walked through the food area and the family stopped to try samples or buy some. We all stopped at a restaurant for yakiniku. The food was great. It sounds outrageous, but we had each of the 4 stomachs of a cow, cow heart, tongue, neck, throat, and regular meat cuts. It was a feast. We grilled in on a small grill on the table. Our way back was long but we were filled with delicious food. The beginning of that day had begun with my attempts of writing Katakana on the train and it ended with my memorization of every character. So by the end of Sunday I had memorized all of Hiragana and was roughly memorizing Katakana all the way through.