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Published: February 23rd 2009
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Ok, so maybe karaoke doesn't count as gospel singing, but it sure does lighten my heart. I always liked karaoke, but now I honestly LOVE it. The Japanese really do know how to get your guard down. Instead of singing in front of a room full of strangers, most of whom know you little enough to make caustic comments, the private room scenario ensures you have at least one friend who instead of heckling you, will defend you and possibly croon some off key notes alongside you. We stayed for about 6 hours, belting out such classics as 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' (The Old School Version), Natalie Imbruglia's Torn, The 'Love Shack', 'Teenagers', and 'I Will Survive'...Karaoke just frees the beast in everyone...
After that, most of us decided to go and see a Salsa Beand performing at a tiny tiny club almost indiscernible to the naked eye. We know this because once the taxi dropped us off we walked about 6 blocks north, stopping every passer by until we realised we'd been walking in the wrong direction. A lot of swearing and walking later, we arrived on the exact corner where our driver had dropped us off, and
were distraught to notice a small sign pointing down a set of previously unnoticed stairs. One of the kyoto teachers talked his way into getting us a discounted entry fee (only $30!...clubbing isn't cheap here!) and we walked in to a dimly lit black room. Oh, but the sound coming out of those speakers. This was my first chance to dance salsa in Japan...and hearing that music just took me back to crazy nights at the Mustang with my girls, or shaking it at the Deen. Kuerazo, I miss you guys!
It felt really good to let loose and just dance. There were a few fun and talented dancers there as well, Japanese and foreign. I got to dance with the DJ, a tall Japanese man wearing cowboy boots, and a sweaty Texan. You get al kinds, but that's why I love salsa! One of the ladies there either owns a salsa club in Kyoto or runs the classes there - and I recently found out where it was, yay! - I will definitely have to go visit one of these days.
The band came out about half an hour after we arrived. They settled into position
and the lead singer started to speak. Not knowing that much Japanese, I just watched and let the words wash over me. I was more interested in the look of him. He must have been pushing 60, and his hair was tied back into a long ponytail - reaching to his bum. He mustn't have cut it in a decade - but it was a good look. They were wearing what looked like hockey jerseys over long sleeved tops, but when they played, they could have been Latinos. Some of it seemed very Jazz and beatnik inspired, but the rest was pure Cubano.
Later on in the night the DJ put on some bachata as well! To think, very few DJ's in Australia know what Bachata is, but here in Japan it's extremely popular! I danced the night away, taking pictures and chatting to new people, and was even surprised by a familiar face. One of the barworkers was one of the randoms I had started chatting to at the Soulwax show in Osaka. (See previous blog *inser tlink here*) It really is a small country.
After an extremely uncomfortable night - I slept on 4 cushions at
a friends flat using my own clothes as a makeshift blanket - I got up to face the day, and went to meet two Tokyo teachers. We decided to go and see Fushimi Inari in the morning, and trekked up many many many ( x a million) steps to see where it took us. If you have never been to Inari shrine, it's worth a visit, but after the first hour it loses some of its appeal. How many orange torii gates do you have to see before you're satisfied, right? We kept on up and up and even met and managed to offend an Australian by accident - oopsies. (Anyway, I didn't think that was possible).
A group of us also went to see Kyou Mizudera. This is another Japanese temple, which is also popular with Geisha in the area. I was very happy to see a couple of Maiko (Apprentice Geisha) walking through the streets, and snapped a couple of pictures. They just glide through the crowds, tottering along on their sandals, and everyone just stops to watch them pass. Superstars in their own right, as the Geisha culture is seriously dwindling here. The gardens in the
area were very nice, and the leaves had already started to change colour, heralding the onset of winter. We walked around, following the crowds, but found a few moments peace here and there. I bought some local sweets on the way back down through the streets, and the teachers back at school were very happy to receive them. Omiage wins you friends, let me tell you!
It was a fun weekend, and one that I would definitely repeat - in more comfortable shoes!
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