Well, I'd written this entire blog this morning, but somehow it wasn't saved.
So firstly, here's my bed:
So firstly, here's my bed:
The white bit is a smaller and thicker blanket that tucks inside the light blue one that is close to bring a sheet. I'm pretty sure it's upside down, but as someone else pointed out, my feet would just get tangled if I flipped it over. There's also a nice comforter, which I haven't even taken out if the bag, since even with these two blankets it's still too hot.
So yesterday as we were in our way to the mall and were stopped at a light, there was a small group of very young elementary students on the other side, and we clearly heard them saying "gaikokujin!!", which means "foreigner" basically. It was too cute and funny!
Then on the way back as we rode our bikes, there was a group of high school guys in the other side if the road, and one of them yelled in English "I love you!!" and we all just about died laughing. We were tempted to yell it back. I was personally too busy doing that breathless laugh one does when one is trying to refrain from laughing hysterically, in this case for the sake of not crashing one's bike...
I've always read and heard about these things happening, but it's weird to have it happen to me now.
As for today, we ended up going to Viva City, which is basically a mall and about 3 minutes away by train. That was my first time in a train, actually. That was a slower mocking one, too. As we stood waiting for the train, a different one side by at a frightening speed. Really, and I'm pretty sure that was only the express train, not even the Shinkansen. I'm going to be taking a 7 min ride on a train every day once I move in with my host family, though.
In any case, once in the mall (which is about 5 stories high with a movie theatre in the top floor), we went to what's basically an arcade. They have an amazing amount of various types of those crane games. My friend actually managed to win a Pokémon figure from one! And those things are difficult. Then we did a purikura, which is basically a photo booth, but a lot better. You pose for multiple pictures and can even choose if you want to lighten or darken your skin (people here usually want to be paler, and I mean in real life), and then you get to decorate them before they print. I now have my first purikura! They're very popular here in Japan. We then went to a music store where I bought more CDs, and then ate at Chanpon, which is a ramen shop. I finally had my first authentic Japanese taken, and it's definitely better than in the US. I was surprised by how much I got--I couldn't quite finish it--since I know Japan usually has smaller portion sizes. Maybe it's because it was dinner. In any case, I only got the medium sized one, so I need to remember next time to have the small one. That was basically it today, I think. Oh, but my friend and I are going to Hikone Castle tomorrow, and a few other places. Namely the grocery store and to another ATM to see if it works.
Well, it's getting late and I'm tired, so I'll call it a night. I'll be back with tons of pics tomorrow, hopefully!
So yesterday as we were in our way to the mall and were stopped at a light, there was a small group of very young elementary students on the other side, and we clearly heard them saying "gaikokujin!!", which means "foreigner" basically. It was too cute and funny!
Then on the way back as we rode our bikes, there was a group of high school guys in the other side if the road, and one of them yelled in English "I love you!!" and we all just about died laughing. We were tempted to yell it back. I was personally too busy doing that breathless laugh one does when one is trying to refrain from laughing hysterically, in this case for the sake of not crashing one's bike...
I've always read and heard about these things happening, but it's weird to have it happen to me now.
As for today, we ended up going to Viva City, which is basically a mall and about 3 minutes away by train. That was my first time in a train, actually. That was a slower mocking one, too. As we stood waiting for the train, a different one side by at a frightening speed. Really, and I'm pretty sure that was only the express train, not even the Shinkansen. I'm going to be taking a 7 min ride on a train every day once I move in with my host family, though.
In any case, once in the mall (which is about 5 stories high with a movie theatre in the top floor), we went to what's basically an arcade. They have an amazing amount of various types of those crane games. My friend actually managed to win a Pokémon figure from one! And those things are difficult. Then we did a purikura, which is basically a photo booth, but a lot better. You pose for multiple pictures and can even choose if you want to lighten or darken your skin (people here usually want to be paler, and I mean in real life), and then you get to decorate them before they print. I now have my first purikura! They're very popular here in Japan. We then went to a music store where I bought more CDs, and then ate at Chanpon, which is a ramen shop. I finally had my first authentic Japanese taken, and it's definitely better than in the US. I was surprised by how much I got--I couldn't quite finish it--since I know Japan usually has smaller portion sizes. Maybe it's because it was dinner. In any case, I only got the medium sized one, so I need to remember next time to have the small one. That was basically it today, I think. Oh, but my friend and I are going to Hikone Castle tomorrow, and a few other places. Namely the grocery store and to another ATM to see if it works.
Well, it's getting late and I'm tired, so I'll call it a night. I'll be back with tons of pics tomorrow, hopefully!
Edit: I'm sorry about all the spelling mistakes. I often write posts using my phone, so it's a bit more difficult. I try to be careful, but I can't always catch all the mistakes...