I think the only door handles I touch around here are ones for bathrooms. Even the classroom doors at school are variations of shoji. Mine are kind of (really) old, so they sometimes get stuck when I try sliding them open. O, woe is me!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I Love Japan: #33
Shoji sliding doors
I think the only door handles I touch around here are ones for bathrooms. Even the classroom doors at school are variations of shoji. Mine are kind of (really) old, so they sometimes get stuck when I try sliding them open. O, woe is me!
I think the only door handles I touch around here are ones for bathrooms. Even the classroom doors at school are variations of shoji. Mine are kind of (really) old, so they sometimes get stuck when I try sliding them open. O, woe is me!
I Love Japan: #34
Melon-pan （メロンパン）
This is usually what I have for breakfast around here. It's a popular, cheap snack for Japanese kids, and its name literally means "melon bread" ("pan" being a borrowed word from French, "pain"). While not tasting exactly like melon, per se, this sugar-coasted baked treat provides a super sweet, vaguely fruity flavor. Sometimes they have chocolate chips.
This is usually what I have for breakfast around here. It's a popular, cheap snack for Japanese kids, and its name literally means "melon bread" ("pan" being a borrowed word from French, "pain"). While not tasting exactly like melon, per se, this sugar-coasted baked treat provides a super sweet, vaguely fruity flavor. Sometimes they have chocolate chips.
I Love Japan: #35
Curry（カレー）
As a rule, I love any food that makes my nose run, so naturally, I tend to gravitate towards spicier foods like curry. And while the Japanese take on it isn't as hot as its Indian counterpart, it's still delicious and sweet, and can come in a variety of forms (e.g., as a doughnut filling).
As a rule, I love any food that makes my nose run, so naturally, I tend to gravitate towards spicier foods like curry. And while the Japanese take on it isn't as hot as its Indian counterpart, it's still delicious and sweet, and can come in a variety of forms (e.g., as a doughnut filling).
Friday, July 17, 2009
I Love Japan: #36
Morning meetings
At high schools across Japan, the daily morning meeting starts promptly at 8:20. This is when all the teachers stand up and say "Ohayou gozaimasu!" ("Good morning!") and share announcements with each other. I have no idea what's going on 99% of the time, and rely on one of my JTEs to pull me out of the dark.
Immediately following the main meeting are three separate meetings that all happen in the same room in between the three grade levels. For example, all the teachers of first years start talking, etc. It can be quite chaotic. I tune out and eating my melon bread.
At high schools across Japan, the daily morning meeting starts promptly at 8:20. This is when all the teachers stand up and say "Ohayou gozaimasu!" ("Good morning!") and share announcements with each other. I have no idea what's going on 99% of the time, and rely on one of my JTEs to pull me out of the dark.
Immediately following the main meeting are three separate meetings that all happen in the same room in between the three grade levels. For example, all the teachers of first years start talking, etc. It can be quite chaotic. I tune out and eating my melon bread.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I Love Japan: #37
Uchiwa
These traditional fans are common around here, especially around this time of year. Also expect to get handed some cheap plastic ones advertising cell phone services as you walk the streets of Akihabara.
These traditional fans are common around here, especially around this time of year. Also expect to get handed some cheap plastic ones advertising cell phone services as you walk the streets of Akihabara.
Friday, July 3, 2009
I Love Japan: #38
Rice balls （おにぎり）
O-nigiri, or rice balls, are also really common here. And also really delicious. Basically a handful of rice wrapped and seaweed and stuffed with fish, ume or anything else, they cost a buck a pop, and are supposed to be pretty low on calories. Yum.
O-nigiri, or rice balls, are also really common here. And also really delicious. Basically a handful of rice wrapped and seaweed and stuffed with fish, ume or anything else, they cost a buck a pop, and are supposed to be pretty low on calories. Yum.
I Love Japan: #39
Umbrellas （傘）
It's the rainy season here in Japan, so Japan's ubiquity of umbrellas is something I've really come to appreciate.
At most convenience stores (which are extremely common themselves--as in, four on every block), five-dollar, clear, plastic umbrellas are sold. I've had two get gutted in the wind, though, so you're paying for the availability and not the quality. But I guess that's the case with anything sold at convenience stores.
It's the rainy season here in Japan, so Japan's ubiquity of umbrellas is something I've really come to appreciate.
At most convenience stores (which are extremely common themselves--as in, four on every block), five-dollar, clear, plastic umbrellas are sold. I've had two get gutted in the wind, though, so you're paying for the availability and not the quality. But I guess that's the case with anything sold at convenience stores.
I Love Japan: #40
Pucca （プッカ）
Pucca is one of my favorite Japanese sweets. They're fish-shaped crackers filled with a soft chocolate filling. They also come in flavors like almond and "banana choco." Gotta be honest though, Petridge Farms still holds the place in my heart for fish-shaped foodstuffs.
Pucca is one of my favorite Japanese sweets. They're fish-shaped crackers filled with a soft chocolate filling. They also come in flavors like almond and "banana choco." Gotta be honest though, Petridge Farms still holds the place in my heart for fish-shaped foodstuffs.
I Love Japan: #41
People backing into parking spaces
It's just what people do here. I dunno what they're teaching kids in Japanese driver's ed, but it obviously doesn't include teaching them the joy of the pull-through. People don't pull through an empty space into the space across from it, allowing for an easy exit, as most Americans do. No, Japanese people insist on backing into every space they find. Some city parking lots even require you to back into the space, or else the timer won't be activated. Needless to say, I maintain my Western ways in this area. Anyone who's seen my parking jobs knows that this can be an area of struggle for me.
It's just what people do here. I dunno what they're teaching kids in Japanese driver's ed, but it obviously doesn't include teaching them the joy of the pull-through. People don't pull through an empty space into the space across from it, allowing for an easy exit, as most Americans do. No, Japanese people insist on backing into every space they find. Some city parking lots even require you to back into the space, or else the timer won't be activated. Needless to say, I maintain my Western ways in this area. Anyone who's seen my parking jobs knows that this can be an area of struggle for me.
I Love Japan: #42
Taiko （太鼓）
Sometimes I hear the distinct rumbling of the taiko echoing from down the street. The traditional drum is played a lot at school events or festivals. In other words, 95% of all events in Japan.
Sometimes I hear the distinct rumbling of the taiko echoing from down the street. The traditional drum is played a lot at school events or festivals. In other words, 95% of all events in Japan.
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