I did get my first slice of Japanese culture today though (Funny, third day in Japan and its just now hitting me, eh?). There was a flea market this morning where I was told I could purchase goods for cheap for my room. Fair enough, I've been to a flea market before. Lines of crappy goods in various degrees of usability for cheaper prices than new but more cost than they're worth. Right?
Wrong.
I get there and they have a gate set up. There is a crowd of people outside the gate watching everybody set their stuff up for display. The spectators were crawling back and forth around the perimeter, eyeing up their targets for when they were unleashed upon the innocent merchants. When the gate finally opened I swear to god I heard a gunshot and the sound of hooves.
Pretty much something like this.
These people RACED directly for the merchandise and what was a seemingly normal group of people became a sweaty, heaving, mass of yelling, shoving asians and us poor unfortunate whiteys who had no idea what was going on. I was quite literally forced to dry hump a Korean girl who was bent over picking out flatware for her room due to the amount of people that were shoving me from behind. Girl didn't even seem to care, but I felt like I should have slipped her a 500 yen coin or something for her troubles.
Anyhow, in the midst of all that, I managed to escape with a bowl, a mug (that is most likely not microwave safe but it looks neat), and my life. Also this other American guy from the crowd (who basically shared my not in Kansas anymore surprise at the carnage) was waiting for me outside the brawl. Name is Max and we grabbed some lunch and he helped me figure out what the crap I was doing in the area. Told me some stuff about Beppu, how to act around people, that sort of thing. I really need to practice my Japanese apparently, after watching him work.
So I did, and then when I went back to get dinner by myself later everyone spoke in English to me.
Goddamn you fate.
Anyways, food is cheap here when its not from a vending machine. I got a fish and rice and green tea meal for 2.50. Beat that, America. On the other hand I spent 1.50 on a gatorade, and another two dollars on more pop to stock my fridge with (Mountain Dew and this delicious shit called C.C. Lemon).
Going to look into paying off my school stuff either tomorrow or monday, figure out what this crap they sent me in my mailbox was, and hopefully figure out where I stand financially. Then I'll be able to buy a digital camera that's not attached to my computer and share some pictures of cool stuff around here.
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3 comments:
I like how the soda says it has "a lot" of Vitamin C.
It's as if they aren't sure as to HOW much Vitamin C it has.
LOL i thought that kind of shit only happened in america.
Yaaaaay roshi
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