It’s funny.
I noticed for the first time in months that there are lots of unique-to-Japan experiences that I have here and do not blog about. See at first, you’ll likely be aware, I used to tell you guys and girls about every little thing because every little thing was new to me. And each new experience was funny, weird, frustrating–at least interesting. But I’m used to it all now.
I think I noticed when I got entered Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station (coming from the mall) to take my train home the other day. I had music blasting in my ears, but my eyes were just as overstimulated: people were freaking everywhere. They all looked so similar. Not because of their races (which were almost all Japanese–par for the course, you know), but because of their dress (men in suits, long overcoats, carrying what I’ll call the “business bag,” all of which was black or dark; girls in too much makeup, layers galore, which were mostly very dark colored); their expression (blank, but not upset or sad at all–just par for the course); their business (public transportation is beyond huge here). Everyone was walking in a different direction. Certain staircases leading down to platforms were swarmed with a flow of passengers coming up from a train that just departed; some were oppositely filled with people going down to make the train before the doors close (“tobira ga shimarimasu. gochuui kudasai.” “Doors are closing. Be careful.” I can’t count how many times I’ve heard that.); some were totally empty.
I see this every day, but at that particular time, I thought it looked really cool. I thought about how I would hardly ever get to see that exact type of traffic once I moved back to Georgia. And I thought about how closely I connect to all the lyrics in Japanese pop music that mention riding trains. Thinking that way brought up memories of my first month here. During that time, I kid you not, I thought telephone poles were cool. Because they’re all above ground–just like in anime. I remember thinking, “Wow. Artists didn’t have to think very hard to come up with the scenery for this episode or that chapter. They see an environment just like it every day.”
For sure, if you come here with any sense of interest in Japanese stuff, you’ll be excited just by walking around. Onigiri triangular handheld rice balls in every convenience store without fail; super small cars; bicyclers everywhere; construction workers in jumpsuits; cute old couples; wafting waves of ramen and yakiniku scents that you can smell from the street; trains; mountains. It’s all so neat. I mean, just walking around is like, “I’m in Japan. Really? Really. And it’s quite cool.” I expect every foreigners experience here to be very very different. It depends on where you live, what you’re into, how much Japanese you understand, and how you choose to tackle your time (there are various ways to be a foreigner in Japan).
But my point is, I’m sorry if you’ve wanted more cool day-to-day stuff about my time here. I don’t even consider telling you anymore for the same reason that you don’t bother telling me how toilets work in America. And I will try to distinguish what is cool and unique, and what is uncool and boring, and tell you cool stories.
Unrelated-to-the-main-topic-but-still-important stuff:
- I’m very excited about coming home. I mean very excited. I hope if you’re reading this, you’re thinking about making plans to spend some time with me. It’d be good to see you, talk to you in person, and see what’s going on in your life.
- I don’t really know what I should do to prepare to go to America. I have my necessary documentation, but–and this may be Animal Crossing’s fault–I feel like when I open up my dorm room’s door after a three-week hiatus, there’ll be fucking weeds covering my floor. I mean, if I smush one gnat a day here, I might come back to a party in my sink that I didn’t plan.
- Also, I really want to bring back Pop’n Music. Even if you have never heard of that game, it’d be fun to mess around on in a big group while we’re just sitting around talking. Unfortunately, I would need to pack the game, the controller, and the huge PS2, which I don’t have room for. So that will have to wait till July.
- Besides eating, driving, and hugging, two of my top priorities when I arrive are to play Resident Evil 4 and see Watchmen. Do you want to go with me? I might not be able to wait until GSU’s Spring Break, but if I don’t, I’ll see it twice!
- SPOILER: anime is actually more expensive here. Ugh. It’s upsetting. But I just have to wait until I get home to purchase Samurai Champloo (I keep thinking about that series and how much I enjoyed it).
- Brave Fencer Musashi=a game I am as of right now uninterested in.
- I’m at an awkward pubescent stage in Pop’n Music where normal bores me but hyper destroys me. So I discovered today (this is funny to me) that slowing the game down a bit (through training mode) and playing hyper is pretty good fun!
- I must thank you all again for your comments. I love them all! They’re so nice and thoughtful.
- About Street Fighter 4: I’ve honestly never really seen an excellent player here yet. I haven’t really looked often, but there aren’t exactly lines of people waiting to get on each cabinet here. If I see something stirring up, I’ll whip out the video camera
- New air conditioner (old one worked fine) and pigeon (slash pigeon crap) prevention net on my balcony are suh-weeeet!
