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Published: December 26th 2008
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In my mad rush to the beginning of winter break, I didn't put any posts up. The photos and stories just built up. Then in my mad rush to party when winter break began, I didn't publish anything. So this is the start of a long string of posts...Boroichi is one of the signature events in Setagaya. It is a two day long flea-market that happens december and january 15-16. If you can imagine it, its at Boroichi. Every type of used and new goods, plants, animals, food. It was incredible and only a 5 minute walk from our house. I spend about 3 hours there on December 15 and didn't see the end of it. Before I came to Japan I looked into Setagaya and boroichi was number one on the list of things to do. I've been looking forward to it and can't wait for hte one in January. Host mother wants me to invite a bunch of friends to come out that night. Should be a great time!
As I passed through I saw knives, pottery, kimonos, jackets, trees, wood, steaming pots of what not, grilled dumplings and mochi, really endless. Some of the high points were
the knives, from used ones that were probably around since the Tokugawa shogunate to new ones costing about 300 dollars for professional sushi chefs. Got some good pics of those.
There was a stand making fresh mochi (which I am starting to get a taste for) but it was all out by the time we got there. Not to fear because there were about 20 stalls selling mochi in one form or another. I like the plain, grilled, lightly salted kind. If its covered in something I don't want it.
A lot of the local stores were represented and it was great to see all of their goods out on the street. One highlight was a local cafe that was making spiced wine, amazake, and chocolate covered bananas. The local places in my neighborhood are tremendous. I've never seen so much quality and variety of small, individually run shops in one place at a time. I gotta right a whole blog on that at some point.
It would have been great if I came home for christmas because I could have loaded up on souveniers at great prices. Not only could everything be found, but everything was
Steaming Whatnot
It was pretty cold, downed a few of these throughout the night marked down about 50%. Really a true flea market. There was some bizarre stuff like medicinal wood that you make a tea out of but most of it was all really high quality and very Japanese. The kimonos were beautiful, and because they were summer kimonos being sold in the middle of winter, they were about 3000 yen each (28 dollars).
So some other randomness...
Winter break began with a bang. Wednesday the 17th through Sunday the 21st I had parties with various groups. I went out with a group from one of my courses for finishing a big project, my fair trade group, a 110 person party at an izakaya with international students, and a family party at a friends host family. I learned that I can make reservations in Japanese, important skill. The fair trade party was a ton of fun. One of the guys works at a liquor store and loves italian booze so there was plenty of wine and disarono...yummy. Stuff I haven't had in a long time. We had a small present exchange and carried on some Japanese conversations. The best was at the host family's house. There were 4 current exchange students plus
japanese family friends, former exchange students living and working in Japan, and some random people. I had a good talk about the JET program with a former exchange student. JET is a government program that brings native english speakers in to teach Japanese. It sounds like a solid thing to do if I want to get back here for another year or so after college if I can't or don't want to find a job in America for whatever reason. The government takes care of you, pays you well, gives you opportunities to travel and plenty of free time, and you are treated with a ton of respect since you become a "Sensei" Say for example I don't want to go into corporate America and want to pursue some other interests like culinary stuff. I can learn on my own, teach in Japan, eat a whole bunch of wonderful stuff here, get paid to do it and improve my language. Sounds like a good backup plan to me.
The last pics are from a pastry shop in the 'hood that we stopped at before going over to the host family. This guy studied in Paris for 4 years before
Grilled buns of delicious
Not sure whats in them. Mushrooms, veggies, really good coming back to Japan. I've jogged by it, but never went in. Expensive but amazing. I'll let the pics speak for themselves for now, but look for a food blog soon on this place.
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april
non-member comment
wow!!
I swear I've gained 10 lbs. just reading your blogs!!! Amazing!!! I love to read what you have written. You are so passionate about everything! I feel as if I've taken the trip with you. I am so happy for you and all the wonderful experiences you have encountered. What wonderful memories you will have. I do expect you to cook a full 8 course meal for your family when you get back with a small portion of leftovers being taken to school for my lunch when you return! Savor each day, take in as much as you can, do your best but don't make yourself crazy. Enjoy.. You will be home before you know it, although not soon enough for your MOM! Happy New Year Emanuel, and thanks for sharing!!!