DESTINY HAD A FLAT TIRE! I was so upset! I was on my way to the grocery store, and she was making some godawful noises and it was very difficult to bike. When I got off to check it out, the rear tire was as flat as my sister's chest! It really inhibited my moving for a few days. Today, I finally got to take her to the bike doctor at Bike Land. I felt like the hugest loser walking my bike around everywhere, but I knew it would all be worth it in the end. At the bike shop, I had to wait a couple hours for them to finish. The best part though, was that I had a full blown conversation in Japanese. I was just talking to them and they were speaking back, and then they asked me where I was from. I totally understood the question, but I was so flabbergasted that I had been able to just easily understand them that I stood there in silence! They thought I didn't understand and were like "Americajin? (American?)." I corrected them and told them I was Canadian, and that they'd done an awesome job on my bike and went on my merry way. Me and Destiny are back in action, ready to take over Japan!
This past Sunday, while my bike was out of commission. Me, my roommate Fran, and two Japanese friends, Nozomi and Kazuki, all went to Kyoto to see the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) and Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion). It was my first time in Kyoto, and I got to say I've been missing out. Kyoto is the place where old traditional Japan meets new Japan. Everything was so cool! We went to the Kinkakuji first and it really took me by surprise. It was at the base of a mountain (I think), and some of the trees were turning red on the property. There were a bunch of old buildings and lots of Japanese and foreigners there to check out the temple. But after I bought my ticket and came around the corner, I was flabbergasted! This thin is super gold!
So gold!
My friends laughed at me because the first thing I said was "Holy Crap! It's gold!" I really thought that it would be a dull kind of gold after all these years (built in 1398), but it's retained all it's shiny glory. The top two tiers are covered in actual, gold, I'm surprised nobody's tried to steal it (like how the pyramids used to be covered in limestone, but other peeps were like "Yo I want that shit!" and they took it off and now they just look like sand? Yeah, I thought that would have happened to the Kinkakuji). But yeah, it is super gorgeous and gold. I loved it. It was my first traditionally Japanese thing that I've done (usually I'm shopping/drinking/clubbing, which I think is also very culturally enlightening. Kanpai! *Cheers!*).
We got to wander around the property, finding special little wishing wells where you could throw in some change, and if you hit the right spot (the top of a shrine, or inside a wooden bowl), then your wish would come true.
Kazuki missed, so his wish is NOT coming true. :P
We then got served some traditional Japanese green tea and some omocha (a sweet Japanese treat, made form rise and a sweat red bean). It was served to us by a girl in a cute little kimono and it was pretty good! We were told to eat the omocha first because it is super sweet. I didn't believe them, because I've heard that Japanese green tea isn't very good, but it was a good idea. It was a good thing the omocha was so small, but it was a sweet overload; delicious, but sooooooooooo sweet. The green tea was actually very good! It was very green, and the taste was pretty enjoyable. I highly recommend it!
Ah! Japanese culture!
So sweet! So green!
We then went to the souvenir shop, and I bought some presents for people back at home, though they won't be getting them for awhile. Then we were on out way to the Ginkakuji. I had no clue that there was a second pavilion, and I actually thought that we were on our way home. I was so surprised when I found out the bus we were getting on was taking us to another place, but it was worth it, I think.
Silver...? Usokakuji (Lying Pavilion) I think.
My feelings about the "Silver" Pavilion
So this is the Silver Pavilion. It was built in 1490 but never actually finished. Nozomi told me that nobody knows why it isn't silver, but it might be because the government didn't give enough funding for the builder, or that he died before he could finish it. Anyways, it's now a Zen temple, with a few Zen gardens,that aren't really gardens at all, it's just a place for people to rake sand into cool patterns:
How are there no footprints!?!
After the trip at Ginkakuji, I found a store selling only bunny paraphernalia. This upcoming year is the Year of the Rabbit, and I'm freaking psyched because everywhere, everything has rabbits all over it, I bought some souvenirs there too, and they've infested my room. Hurray cute overload!
Alright, now I have a poor story to report on. I don't know if I have told you about this before, but I will go over it again quickly just in case I have talked about it. Gaijin Hunters are the Japanese girls and boys at school that are looking for a Gaijin (foreigner) boyfriend/girlfriend. Your a big target if you are blonde, tall and/or muscular. My friend told me I could put this story in my blog as long as I didn't give out his name, so we'll just call him X-san.
X-san was asked to be a wingman one night for his friend at Karaoke. Being the good friend that he is, he obliged and went. Now the girl that he had to be wingman too wasn't that easy on the eyes, but he tried to look past that. She got his number, and would text him and call him multiple times a day. He asked me for advice, and I said just make friends with her, it'll be okay, she looks like a happy girl anyways.
Worst. Advice. Ever.
So she called and texted all the time. She would find him and corner him in the school and never leave him alone. Stage-5 clinger. She emailed me and one of my friends saying that she wanted to confess her love to him, even though he was blatantly ignoring her. One time she asked him to go to Karaoke again, and he just told her that he had a girlfriend. Then things got even worse! Her calls and texts were even more numerous everyday until eventually she texted him and told him that he she loves him (along with a bunch of other mushy stuff that hits my gag reflex). He handled it eventually, and I don't think they've communicated since then.
Now, I know that this last part of my blog might seem a little mean, but it's what we have to put up with. Not all of the Gaijin Hunters are this persistant, but they're numerous. I've had to deal with it a couple of times on my own already, and it may or may not be turning me into a mean person. I'm not very good at saying no in general, but I'm starting to get good at it now. It's definitely difficult saying no to pretty much the politest race of people on this earth, but sometimes it has to be done. Now, I try to hang out with guys (either Gaijin or Japanese, as long as it's a guy I'm friends with), and the Japanese naturally assume that I am dating the guy that I am hanging out with. So far this plan has been flawless, and my Gaijin guys are always looking out for me. If my Italian friend sees me with a guy he always asks "is he bothering you?" and the guy never is, but I always appreciate the gesture. I love my Gaijin boys!
Anyways, I suppose I should start studying or doing something productive.
Will probably just read some more One Piece though :P
Peace and Love!
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