That, plus nap time (these are the younger students), took a couple of hours. Then Ryo-sensei drove me to Ukaiya, the local bookstore. I told her that I had to get a Japanese-English dictionary. She asked the clerk, but they did not have an English section. It's Kamigori. I told her that it was no problem, as I have to go to Himeji this weekend for a few things anyway. The list includes a dictionary, a hat (for going on walks with the kids) and inside shoes for Koto School. I told Imaoka-sensei, the volunteer English teacher, that I needed to go to Himeji this weekend, and she invited me to go along with her family. Which is totally rad.
After school I walked down to Suzusho. That's a yakitori shop near the train station. One of the other volunteer teachers, Yamamoto-sensei, and her husband own the shop. She gave me her number and told me to come down, so I did. It was freaking delicious. I got there earlier than I had planned, and saw a parent of one of the Koto School kids outside. We said hello to each other. I didn't know exactly where Suzusho was, as I'd never been before. She showed me. Right before walking in I met Ikki. Ikki is one of the coolest people I've met, so far. He took me inside and directed me to Yamamoto-sensei. She sat me at a table that had a "Reserved" sign. She was expecting me. A few minutes after I sat down, Yamamoto-sensei told me to sit at the bar. Now, this shop seats 25 people *maybe*. It's tiny. But I moved and ended up next to Nakamura. Nakamura owns the local kimono shop. He's awesome, too. Ikki came back from elsewhere and sat down between us, as I had taken his seat. Then the night really started.
I was handed all kinds of Yakitori. Liver, throat muscles and some others. It was all very good. Throughout the meal Ikki and I talked to each other, with Nakamura jumping in occasionally. Ikki speaks pretty good English, and Nakamura speaks a little English. Ikki and I taught each other some words and drank a few beers.
Then it came out that I like karaoke. They thought that was great. And they decided that we should go immediately. We got up to leave, and I asked for the check. Yamamoto-sensei said no, and that I don't need to pay because I am a Koto School volunteer. She's very nice. We left and walked down the street a couple blocks to Sakura. Sakura is a tiny little bar that has karaoke. We drank more beer, sang a bunch of songs, and had a great time.
Nakamura introduced me to the owner of the sushi shop, and gave me his phone number. He said I should call him so we can go out for sushi soon. Then he and Ikki basically kicked me out. "Promise time!" they kept saying. They told Yamamoto-sensei that they would have me home by ten, because she was worried that I'd get too drunk. So I walked home.
The whole night was awesome.
2 comments:
gosh i am so happy for you.
Thanks. I'm having a freaking blast. I love it here.
Post a Comment