Pictures of GanChan Chome (# 5 top memorable moment)
Whoa Tokyo! If only we had enough time in the day to blog about all of our experiences .... since we do need our beauty sleep, I am providing some much needed extra information to keep you completely in the Japanese loop.
Recent Memorable Moments:
(1.) Losing my metro card - I am an idiot. Thank god for Taejo who came rushing down as my knight in shining armor to save the day. He was able to explain the situation (it fell out of my pocket on the train), cancel the lost card, and order a replacement with all the on money on the previous card transferred over. It wasn't the end of the world but I am greatful for computers (I was logged in the system along with the value of my card) and native Japanese speakers.
(2.) Zoo animal charades - We have explained in previous blogs that as foreigners in Japan playing soccer we often feel like zoo animals. We have a captive audience that pokes, prods, examines, analyzes, and watches our every move. So, we found it quite ironic when Rebecca and I were acting out different animals at practice last week. In a effort to try to get our Japanese teammates to understand the English meaning of the word "animal", and therefore, answer the question of whether there was a zoo in Japan we took on the characteristics of our favorite animal friends. Our repertoire, to give some examples, consisted of elephants, monkeys, snakes, crabs, alligators, lions, birds, horses, and giraffes. As we acted out each with unique body motions and noises ( dependant upon the difficulty of the animal) our Japanese friends would laugh and yell out the appropriate Japanese term for the animal. It was a game that provided much entertainment, many laughs, and also many new words! Plus, a lot of creativity on our side .... a giraffe is tough.
(3.) Going Green - We had lunch with Kelly Burton, an eco-fashion guru that runs her own blog (check it out: http://www.magnifeco.com/). Hailing from Canada, Kelly is a good friend of my sister-in-law, and also the wife of one of the drummers for the Blue Man Group (currently touring in Tokyo). Kelly treated us to lunch at a Balinese restaurant and was, of course, in high eco-fashion. After a long and productive conversation we are much more aware of how many "green" aspects Tokyo embraces .. ... to name a few ..... a great public transportation system , elaborate recycling programs, dioxin capturing waste plants, environmentally friendly toilets, new "green space" building laws, and entire communities built upon construction waste (Odaiba beach). Also, thanks to Kelly, we have many more tips on our travels within Tokyo and throughout Japan. A great person to have on our side and we may even get to see the Blue Man Group while we are here. Not too shabby!
(4.) Karaoke - We both knew it was only a matter of time before we had our first experience. Although Rebecca nor I, graced the microphone, we were pleasantly surprised with the singing capabilities of the Japanese (OK, one of the singers had taken lessons but still ...). I promised myself that I would absolutely take the stage and sing my little American heart out before this entire experience is over, and if I am lucky, I hope to drag Becca up with me. So far she adamantly refuses but maybe, just maybe I can convince her (or many many beers can). Feel free to post any recommendations on song titles ..... they will be warmly received.
(5.) GanChan Chome - We had the pleasure of being invited to eat dinner at Eriko Arakawa's (aka GanChan) family restaurant in Narima, Tokyo. Run by her mother, father, and brother, this amazing ramen house has been around for 40 years and is very well known . Sitting in the back, corner booth adorned with Japanese Women's National Team and Beleza posters, we were treated to Japanese delights of gyoza (Japenese dumplings), ramen noodles in one of three bases (miso, soy, or salt), and beef curry (to this day the best food we have eaten in Japan). The tastes were incredible as was the service with her family often coming over to our table (usually with a piping hot, mouth watering dish in hand) to make sure our experience was one to remember. Extremely proud yet extremely humble, GanChans family created the meals by hand, and it was incredible to taste these authentic dishes.
Although her family does not speak English, we were still able to communicate our appreciation through broken Japanese and American gifts (thanks to Dr. Ann). With our bellies full we toured around their neighborhood (referred to as a chome in Japanese) noticing that GanChan was a local celebrity (national one too for that matter). As she pointed out the highlights of the small town, everyone waved to her, old and young, and it came as no surprise that she was an extremely popular part of this town (we then took the pleasure of naming the town after her).
With a personality every bit as large as her hair, GanChan is impossible not to like. Always smiling, she is a constant source of laughs and positivity. With a culture well-known for its reservations and quiet demeanor, GanChan is a refreshing change and now one of our best friends.
Lost in Translation: Top Janglish Quotes
1. "Go to hell" - Taejo's hysterical response to his interpretation of Rebecca and my comment that we would "follow him through the gates of hell". The latter comment was uttered when referring to our trust in Taejo to order for food us at Japanese restaurants.
Two. "Little Lucy likes lollipops" - The alliteration that helped Eriko Arakawa learn how to pronounce the letter "L" in high school.
Three. "Back line correspondence diagonal rear" - The literal interpretation of Beleza's instructional soccer film into English done for our benefit .... yep, didn't really help.
Four. "Sugoi" - The all encompassing Japanese phrase that means great, awesome, wonderful, sweet, cool, neat, good, wow, etc. All depending upon how and when it is said - staccato, bewilderment, etc. - Very useful word to know!
Five. "Maybe OK" - The polite Japanese way of saying "No". Ha.
Additions to the "cauSAWAnnabeher" list:
1. Sawa's birthday party at Andy's pub in Roppongi
- Her picture and autograph were on the wall
- Her friends consisted of two big time lawyers, an ex-professional rugby player (two World Cups with the Japanese National Team) and now a Japanese university rugby coach, a professional singer (married to the ex-professional rugby player), a famous TV broadcaster that is on twice a day, and a professional female snowboarder. Quite the crowd and very good looking!
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