Caitlin in Japan #4

Written by sonicsuns

Oh boy, well it has been a busy weekend since last I wrote. Allow me to attempt to summarize the most notable events.

Friday, I went to a barbeque with my classmates (Actually, my entire school) at a park in Shinkiba. As per usual, I got lost in Ikebukuro station, but managed to find my way to the meeting point in time anyway.

So, once I actually got to the BBQ, many glorious things happened. Such as the Koreans putting too much oil on our pan and the pan itself catching fire… Twice. I also learned a lot about Chinese and Korean culture. For instance, apparently, when you offer someone food, you literally feed it to them. Which I couldn’t explain why I thought it was so funny until I realized that it was because in America, doing so is fairly sexual.

We also played these games, which were similar to team building activities that we have in America, but with a twist: When you messed up, you weren’t “out.” Your friends got to beat you! One of my friends, Changdae-san (Who, Katie has pointed out, looks like the Korean version of Ron Weasley), was very enthusiastic about hitting people. I only messed up a couple of times, but still. It was like the love child of Elementary school name games and corporeal punishment.

I also learned that Korean and Chinese guys have no sense of personal space around each other… But that is a story better told in person.

Also, this weekend my host mother took me to Asakusa, where I very narrowly resisted the temptation to buy a ton of things that I don’t need. I’ll save that for next time I’m there.

I got my fortune told at the temple there. In case you were unaware, to get your fortune you pay money, then shake this little box until a stick comes out. That stick will have a number, which corresponds to a specific fortune. Well, my fortune happened to be #69, which I found to be hilarious, because I’m mature like that.

So I go and get the fortune itself… Terrible luck. Sad. That’s what I get for being immature, I guess.

Beyond that, I really haven’t been up to much outside of schooling. Which is going fairly well, if you were curious.