Adventures in Kimono Land
That's what I am going to call these experiences from now on.
So today I was like "Okay, I want McDonald's, we will walk 30 minutes to the nearest one, buy what I want, bring it home, and eat it. While on the way, I'll drop by the kimono store and ask if I can pay for this month's part of the furisode bill." So off I went and who pops out of a store before the kimono store? The kimono store owner!
"Oh! Jessica-san! You have good timing! Your yukata came today! Will you come inside and try it on? I want to make sure it fits right, and if it does, we'll use those same measurements for the furisode!" She says.
So in and up I go, to the top floor where we unwrap it, put it on me, and make sure it fits. I am going to have to...either find a pair of shorts here in Japan (HAHAHAAAAAAAA fat chance) or hope no one tries to look up my yukata as it would just be me in my panties under there yes because she said wearing a t-shirt and jeans under it ruins it and makes it harder to tie onto yourself etc etc. BUT you can wash yukata in a washing machine. You just have to put it into a dedicates bag (those netting bags) and then hang it up on a pole preferably to let it air dry, to keep the creases in the arms.
So after an hour of chit chatting - for they sit you down, give you too many snacks, and too much tea, and gab and gab - I left with my brand new yukata, obi, ties, and ANOTHER towel. (They give you free towels...I already got one last time...am I going to get one each month?! D8 WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THESE TOWELS!?!) We decided to change the payment plan for the furisode since I leave on April 1st, so it's a bit higher each month but come March it is mine. We also discussed how I am just positively amazing because I am the oldest and only daughter of my family who decided to come all the way to Japan! I must be so brave! Her own children would never do such a thing! Isn't it scary?!
...when I go back to the States, I am going to send candy to this store all the time. I know it sounds weird, and I know it's their job to provide excellent service, but I really have taken to them.
They also said if I want to be in some festival, to let them know. Because they can ask the Home Owner's Association to let me be in it but I'll have to come to practice because I would be playing the taiko drums? I didn't quite follow but they said to think about it. I have half a mind to say NO because uh I don't know what would be required of me? Besides 2000 yen for the party afterward and I don't KNOW the locals...and I'm not saying I don't WANT to know the locals but if I start to make friends with all the old people near my house, it's going to be harder when I say goodbye because they will be like OH NO JESSICA-SAN DON'T GO! (MEGAN ALREADY DOES THIS TO ME. HER ATTEMPTS TO SET ME UP WITH HER BROTHER IN LAW ARE FUTILE.)
By the way Rachel, my obi is long enough to do the simple butterfly obi - probably not long enough to do a taiko obi.
I got my McDonald's, came home, ate it, and have finished Season 2 of Doctor Who. Onto Season 3! I am hoping Rose doesn't come back but well we'll see? I have a feeling she will. =/
YESTERDAY I DID CHORES.
Saturday was Sports Day. It was fun. Pink team won over all. Red team had boys in skirts. I was blue team and I think we placed second over all. I did take pictures but I am not sure if I wish to share them as they are of my students and until I leave Japan, I have an obligation to protect their privacy.
So today I was like "Okay, I want McDonald's, we will walk 30 minutes to the nearest one, buy what I want, bring it home, and eat it. While on the way, I'll drop by the kimono store and ask if I can pay for this month's part of the furisode bill." So off I went and who pops out of a store before the kimono store? The kimono store owner!
"Oh! Jessica-san! You have good timing! Your yukata came today! Will you come inside and try it on? I want to make sure it fits right, and if it does, we'll use those same measurements for the furisode!" She says.
So in and up I go, to the top floor where we unwrap it, put it on me, and make sure it fits. I am going to have to...either find a pair of shorts here in Japan (HAHAHAAAAAAAA fat chance) or hope no one tries to look up my yukata as it would just be me in my panties under there yes because she said wearing a t-shirt and jeans under it ruins it and makes it harder to tie onto yourself etc etc. BUT you can wash yukata in a washing machine. You just have to put it into a dedicates bag (those netting bags) and then hang it up on a pole preferably to let it air dry, to keep the creases in the arms.
So after an hour of chit chatting - for they sit you down, give you too many snacks, and too much tea, and gab and gab - I left with my brand new yukata, obi, ties, and ANOTHER towel. (They give you free towels...I already got one last time...am I going to get one each month?! D8 WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THESE TOWELS!?!) We decided to change the payment plan for the furisode since I leave on April 1st, so it's a bit higher each month but come March it is mine. We also discussed how I am just positively amazing because I am the oldest and only daughter of my family who decided to come all the way to Japan! I must be so brave! Her own children would never do such a thing! Isn't it scary?!
...when I go back to the States, I am going to send candy to this store all the time. I know it sounds weird, and I know it's their job to provide excellent service, but I really have taken to them.
They also said if I want to be in some festival, to let them know. Because they can ask the Home Owner's Association to let me be in it but I'll have to come to practice because I would be playing the taiko drums? I didn't quite follow but they said to think about it. I have half a mind to say NO because uh I don't know what would be required of me? Besides 2000 yen for the party afterward and I don't KNOW the locals...and I'm not saying I don't WANT to know the locals but if I start to make friends with all the old people near my house, it's going to be harder when I say goodbye because they will be like OH NO JESSICA-SAN DON'T GO! (MEGAN ALREADY DOES THIS TO ME. HER ATTEMPTS TO SET ME UP WITH HER BROTHER IN LAW ARE FUTILE.)
By the way Rachel, my obi is long enough to do the simple butterfly obi - probably not long enough to do a taiko obi.
I got my McDonald's, came home, ate it, and have finished Season 2 of Doctor Who. Onto Season 3! I am hoping Rose doesn't come back but well we'll see? I have a feeling she will. =/
YESTERDAY I DID CHORES.
Saturday was Sports Day. It was fun. Pink team won over all. Red team had boys in skirts. I was blue team and I think we placed second over all. I did take pictures but I am not sure if I wish to share them as they are of my students and until I leave Japan, I have an obligation to protect their privacy.