The rooster outside the YH here is pretty much on top of it. When it's around 4:30 a.m. they start screaming. I was able to fall back asleep, and even checked out late, past the 9 a.m. deadline. I spent the day walking around the neighborhood, visiting various shops. Being in a talkative mood, I found out all sorts of things, like the average price of a generic Japanese style bathroom (about $2,500 for the low-end ones, up to maybe $10,000+ for a high-end tub).
Going to a nice coffee house here can run up from 500-700 yen ($4-6) for a cup of specialty coffee. I had cup of Egg-Nog Coffee for 600 yen. Expensive, and I'm no coffee snob, but that shit was dee-licious.
I also went to some prime 100 yen shoppes. These are like one-dollar stores, in America, only they're always much better. Some really good junk, and "junk" is the keyword here, but unfortunately (or fortunately) I can't carry any of the heavy stuff.
Finally went to eat some Chicken Namban, a Miyazaki meibutsu (specialty food). It's basically a large, deep fried chicken breast piece, smothered in a tartar type sauce. Super yummy, especially recommended for those who are not into seafood.
Afterwards I went to see "Nurse no Oshigoto", a new Japanese comedy. I didn't actually laugh once, it was pretty slapstick junk, but when else am I going to be able to watch a moderately chauvinistic Japanese nurse comedy. There's even a link to the movie's official website, if you care.
Came back to the YH to just chill out. Had some tea and then talked to a nice Swiss couple who was staying here, and travelling through Japan. In the past, she has travelled through China for 6 months, and has been through South America, and more. He came to Japan because he wants to buy CDs. Didn't catch their names, though.
At 7:30, my friend Yuko, who I met on a Japan cycling hospitality list website, was supposed to pick me up. Yuko and her friend Sa-chan picked me up using Yuko's car. It was pouring outside, and I have to say that I feel much safer in Japan on a bicycle than in a car. Driving in Japan is scary business!
Went to a small, modern, izakaya style place with interesting fusion-type food. We had a fancy pizza and many other delights. We were soon joined by their friend, Kazuko. Yuko and Sachan work at a gym, and Kazuko works as a computer instructor. All-in-all we had some good, fun, conversations, and I'm finally starting to learn some Japanese dirty words. Thanks for the dinner!
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Content last modified 27 June 2002