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Sad sushi lucy...
I know it was my own fault, but the button said TOGO. I assumed this meant 'to go' please press this button. But no, it made me go backwards and was actually the name of the company who made these toys...Kobe...this is where I randomly came across this Bluegrass music bar by myself last year, and ended up making friends and remaining penpals with this guy called Kohei who worked behind the bar, and his Dad owned it! (Read about my discovery of it here -
Officially solo...) I thought it would be a good idea if I did a week homestay at his house with his parents above the bar (even though he was not there but at Uni) to experience Japanese life and improve my Japanese!
Kelvin came with me to Kobe for the day. Luckily I was able to leave my beast of a suitcase in a locker at the train station...
We did some sunbathing down by the port on some grass...finally we found a big grassy patch, we were so happy as it seems to be quite rare to find nice big grassy areas in Japan! As well as benches and bins...but this area was benches galore!
We ended up playing on some arcades, and both rode on these mechanical animals. Kelvin chose the panda and I chose the llama. However, I got very upset and frustrated as my silly llama would only go backwards
and ended up getting stuck at the edge of the concrete play area...that was until I realised I was pushing the wrong button, the reverse button...that is why it was making a beeping noise like a bus does when it reverses...I should have realised...
Kelvin got to experience the bluegrass bar briefly before leaving Kobe as a solo traveller...he seemed a tad scared but I knew he would be fine! So there I was, alone now in my new home for one week...
My time at my homestay was spent mainly studying with the occasional nap as it was so hot!
Breakfast was always interesting. All delicious food but a strange combination.
For example, sweet french toast, kiwis, squid soup, cheese salad, yoghurt & blueberries and some English tea.
Now as most of you know, I do not like tea, or coffee. But out of politeness I accepted tea every morning (I bought them Fortnum&Mason tea as a gift, so I think they really thought I loved it, plus with me being English!) and after finally finishing the last sip and feeling delighted that I had managed another cup...I would blink and the mother had refilled it!
Double bass...
There were so many cool things in the bar, made it really feel authentic and as if you were not in Japan but in the US...that was the idea I think anyway... By the end of the week I had got used to it...I even drank this famous Kobe coffee (where the water used is the same water they use to make Sake) with the father...now that was difficult!
The house had 4 floors. I stayed at the very top and was so embarassed when the father had to carry my heavy suitcase all the way up! The ground floor was the music bar, where I would go most evenings and get heaps of free beer! I think the father enjoyed showing everyone his white homestay girl from England who is friends with his son, studying Japanese and telling them all how I am a vegetarian but eat fish! (In Japan, they automatically assume vegetarians eat fish.) I think they struggled with feeding me and everyone seemed to find it hilarious...
My last night at my homestay was great. There was a student band in and we all stayed there afterwards drinking and playing music. As soon as I mentioned what artists I liked, one guy would start singing a song by them with guitar.
I got to hear Engrish versions of Your Song by Elton John, Hallelujah by Jeff
Gakusei...
All students...although envious of the others and wishing she could study in Japan... Buckley and Stand By Me...sugoe! Of course I had a little play, trying to remember Blackbird on the guitar and my Liszt on the good old honky tonk piano...
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Nigelonius
non-member comment
MMMMMMMMMM
I so need a beer !!