Nihongo-a-Go-Go :: Mandy's Journal

We could be Japanese...

Just for one day.

Today we met with Aimee's Japanese friend and one of her friends. Actually, before that, we ran some errands. Finally mailed out the Christmas packages, thank goodness. It was very expensive because we ended up sending them via EMS. It was cheaper than airmail (go figure) and the SAL shipping would have taken two months. So...EMS it was. In good news, it means everyone will certainly have their pressies for Christmas. Mom, you'll even have your birthday pressie by your birthday, hopefully!

We tried to pay the rent, but the office was closed. *huff* Which it wasn't supposed to be. We also stopped at the Sanrio store. There's a necklace I love, a sparkly cross charm and a little silver cat charm, and they have been selling out quickly. Yes...I bought one. I tried to be strong, but I failed. :) I'm totally in love with it.

We met our Japanese friends at Animate, then went on to Gstore and Volks. Basically, all the places we love to go in Japan. Then we walked from Sakae to Osu, which is basically a used shopping district. Definitely a place to go back to. *nods* We went to an anime shop that has a Gothic Lolita coffee shop on the second floor. Gothic Lolita is a style in Japan where girls try to look like Victorian dolls, sort of. Knee length floofy skirts, girls, aprons, knee socks, lacy gloves and parasols, big clunky shoes. Mostly in blacks and burgundies and whites. I sort of like it. Anyway, this little coffee shop is primarily for guys, since the waitresses dress like this and call them "Master," like little Victorian maids. The decor and food selection mirrors this. I had tea and apple mousse pie, very tasty. We couldn't take any pictures, unfortunately. Apparently on the fifth floor of the same building there's a coffee shop where the waitresses dress up as shrine maidens. Heh, I wanna find the coffee shops where the boys dress up. :) I think I'm going to start planning one...Catboy Cafe. Pretty boys in tails and ears and collars with bells...mmm...

After that, we headed to Big Echo. Heh, this would be a huge 6 floor karaoke building. We rented one of the rooms. This place was so space age!

The rates are very cheap, but you have to order a drink. They also try to get you to buy food and stuff. I was so super shy about it. The girls that we were with had good voices and absolutely no reservations about bursting into song. Aimee sang first, doing Jewel's "Foolish Games," but the chick brought our drinks and interupted. I had hoped to get away with not singing, but I was guilted into it. I sang Madonna's "Like a Prayer"...badly! Hehehe. I was so nervous! Aimee sang "Ziggy Stardust" in honor of KT. I think I want to do it again. It was pretty fun!

After that we headed back to Nagoya station in search of someplace to eat. There are so many Christmas lights up.

Some of them totally miss the mark, like the bright seizure-causing flashes on some of the trees. However, there is a sheet of lights down the front of Nagoya Station that seems to...drip glimmering purple lights. It's absolutely beautiful; it reminds me of Niagara Falls. I'd take a picture, but I just dont' think that would really do it justice.

The first izakaya we went to for dinner was full, so we headed down a bit to another one. The atmosphere is very nice, very cozy. The menu was all pictures, though some of the stuff is still a bit of a mystery. We let the other girls order, since they knew what everything was. The price of each dish was about 250-380 yen, so not bad. We ordered lots of stuff. At an izakaya, everyone at the table shares, so it's pretty cool. Now...let me tell you all the odd things I consumed.

First I ordered a cookies and cream alcoholic drink. Yum! Then I had a bit of a veggie and cabbage salad. Then they started bringing on the dishes. I tried....sashimi, the raw salmon stuff. My stomach is negotiating. Steak with some sauce, fried chicken pieces, cheese rolls (like quesedillas) dripped with honey, and salad. Those are the normal things. Then I tried...breaded fried chicken gristle, chicken liver, fried chicken skin on a stick. Mm. As I said, my stomach is still negotiating. I was so brave though! Hehe...I alost died when I was told it was gristle. *shudder* And then the Japanese get horrified when I tell them we eat chicken wings. What the heck!

After that, we headed home. Very full day, lots of fun. Sort of like packing as much of Japan into one day as possible. And chicken pieces. Today I ate almost every part of the chicken. Heh, it's better not to think about it.

Posted by Mandy at November 26, 2004 10:58 PM