Landing in the Far East
I woke up this morning a tad freaked out. You know, the “where am I?” feeling. I didn’t take too long to remember the 12-hour flight from San Francisco to Osaka, the 3-hour train rides into the city with our host Shuichi, the beautiful green landscape interspersed with sprawling city life and bikes (with baskets) and gardens everywhere, the small box-like cars that must be cousins of my beloved Element, the very fishy dinner complete with lots of tiny bones, heads, eyes & eggs, chewy squid and some yummy sashimi. Not that the other food wasn’t oishi, but heads, eyes & eggs might take some getting used to.
I am super excited about all the new food, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my instant oatmeal. Ahh comfort food. It’s 8:10 a.m. and it seems that every other program on tv (at least 4) is featuring hangers and hanger-making. I can’t help but wonder at the extreme attention to detail here, from my robe being perfectly folded on the bed when I walked in to achieving the perfect hanger angle so the suit doesn’t wrinkle while it’s hanging. I have much to learn about the little things.
For now, I shall practice my perfection and wrap a few small gifts. We’ve been told that small gifts will be showered upon us, so we’ve come prepared with cute Austin swag. The gift exchanging will no doubt begin tonight at our first gig.
Stay tuned…
Matane (see you later)!
-Gina
Tags: Austin, Austin Sister Cities, Japan, music, Oita Yumeiro
Sounds like you’re having fun. Hope the food doesn’t get too weird!
Thanks Joanna! It’s already weird lol
Gina:
Hi. I’m a friend of Troy’s and saw your post via his FB. Anyway, make sure you wear your kimono-style clothing with the left side in front!!! If you put the right side over the left side, it is like dead people wear them. Just a little note to you . . .
Michelle
Hi Michelle! I learned that same tip in martial arts, so I make sure to wrap and tie correctly every time. Thanks for reading!