bumming around: okayama + kyoto + osaka
To make up for the last f-locked post being a downer, some of my abbreviated adventures:
1.) Okayama
Went to Okayama aka Momotaro Land two weeks ago, I had to cover classes for the regular teacher who was ironically visiting my neighbor in Osaka. Stayed overnight to sight-see the next day, ended up visiting Korakuen Garden (one of the Top 3 Gardens in Japan) and Okayama Castle.
And OMFG Okayama folk are SUPER FRIENDLY. Damn near everyone was all "Are you lost? Do you need help finding anything? Is it okay that my English isn't great? Do you speak any Japanese?" I was all "I'm good thanks, just wandering around." And the response was, "Okay! But if you need anything...!" I'm sure their Okayama-senses would send someone else to the rescue? <3 you guys, so much. And yes, Okayama White Peaches and Muscat Grapes are as good as they say.
Bizenyaki is beautiful and if you're a sucker for local wares like I am a trip to the Bizenyaki Atelier is a must. The couple that run it are also super sweet.
2.) Kyoto: Heian Shrine
Yesterday went to Kyoto, chocolate_chip and I went to Heian Shrine because neither of us had been there before. Pretty nice place, although the Pay-Per-View Garden(tm) at the shrine was the more interesting sight as there's nothing in particular that stands out about the shrine itself. While crossing one of the bridges in the garden we saw a five-foot long water snake swimming about. It was comical only because I was not in the water, otherwise it would have been terrifying.
Later there was karaoke, involving nostalgic favorites like Cardcaptor Sakura songs, Clamp School Detectives OP1 and ED 2, Tenipuri songs, and the first Kyou Kara Maou opening theme (why did the fandom and show have to start sucking so hard, it used to be such lulz ;_;).
3.) More Tales of Obvious Boy!Crushes Homoeroticism
For this tale to make sense, you need to know a little something about bike-riding etiquette in Osaka 'cuz it ain't like Tokyo or Kyoto. Lots of people ride bikes here, from the very young to the staggeringly old. And lots of people ride double with others, especially young people. In most of Japan, it's not uncommon for the person on the back of the back to hold the waist of the person pedaling either lightly/platonically or possessive/romantically.
In Osaka, most of the back-riders either sit leaning back or stand so that their hands are lightly touching the front-rider's shoulders for balance. This is very very common, even for hetero couples. Touchy-feeling double-riding is kind of rare here, even for couples.
So what do I see while I'm riding down Yotsubashi Ave but two high school boys (likely third years) double riding. Okay, so far nothing weird. But the back-riding boy surreptitiously brings his hands up to his friend's hips, touching ever so lightly before jerking his hands away. He then wipes his sweating palms on his thighs, note this day was a bit cool, then tries again holding his friend's waist longer this time before repeating the process all over again. Never before have I seen such ongoing hesitant riding on these streets. And did it go on, I think I was riding down Yotsubashi for a good ten minutes watching this before I had to turn off to another street to finish my errands.
Backrider!Boy's face was scrunched up and adorable and sweet lord his obvious crush on oblivious(?) Frontrider!Boy was too damn cute. I wondered briefly if Frontrider!Boy was aware of the crushing, because he did not call out his friend's on-and-off-touches which most Osakan boys might have (usually with a good natured "Whaddya doin'?").
1.) Okayama
Went to Okayama aka Momotaro Land two weeks ago, I had to cover classes for the regular teacher who was ironically visiting my neighbor in Osaka. Stayed overnight to sight-see the next day, ended up visiting Korakuen Garden (one of the Top 3 Gardens in Japan) and Okayama Castle.
And OMFG Okayama folk are SUPER FRIENDLY. Damn near everyone was all "Are you lost? Do you need help finding anything? Is it okay that my English isn't great? Do you speak any Japanese?" I was all "I'm good thanks, just wandering around." And the response was, "Okay! But if you need anything...!" I'm sure their Okayama-senses would send someone else to the rescue? <3 you guys, so much. And yes, Okayama White Peaches and Muscat Grapes are as good as they say.
Bizenyaki is beautiful and if you're a sucker for local wares like I am a trip to the Bizenyaki Atelier is a must. The couple that run it are also super sweet.
2.) Kyoto: Heian Shrine
Yesterday went to Kyoto, chocolate_chip and I went to Heian Shrine because neither of us had been there before. Pretty nice place, although the Pay-Per-View Garden(tm) at the shrine was the more interesting sight as there's nothing in particular that stands out about the shrine itself. While crossing one of the bridges in the garden we saw a five-foot long water snake swimming about. It was comical only because I was not in the water, otherwise it would have been terrifying.
Later there was karaoke, involving nostalgic favorites like Cardcaptor Sakura songs, Clamp School Detectives OP1 and ED 2, Tenipuri songs, and the first Kyou Kara Maou opening theme (why did the fandom and show have to start sucking so hard, it used to be such lulz ;_;).
3.) More Tales of Obvious Boy!Crushes Homoeroticism
For this tale to make sense, you need to know a little something about bike-riding etiquette in Osaka 'cuz it ain't like Tokyo or Kyoto. Lots of people ride bikes here, from the very young to the staggeringly old. And lots of people ride double with others, especially young people. In most of Japan, it's not uncommon for the person on the back of the back to hold the waist of the person pedaling either lightly/platonically or possessive/romantically.
In Osaka, most of the back-riders either sit leaning back or stand so that their hands are lightly touching the front-rider's shoulders for balance. This is very very common, even for hetero couples. Touchy-feeling double-riding is kind of rare here, even for couples.
So what do I see while I'm riding down Yotsubashi Ave but two high school boys (likely third years) double riding. Okay, so far nothing weird. But the back-riding boy surreptitiously brings his hands up to his friend's hips, touching ever so lightly before jerking his hands away. He then wipes his sweating palms on his thighs, note this day was a bit cool, then tries again holding his friend's waist longer this time before repeating the process all over again. Never before have I seen such ongoing hesitant riding on these streets. And did it go on, I think I was riding down Yotsubashi for a good ten minutes watching this before I had to turn off to another street to finish my errands.
Backrider!Boy's face was scrunched up and adorable and sweet lord his obvious crush on oblivious(?) Frontrider!Boy was too damn cute. I wondered briefly if Frontrider!Boy was aware of the crushing, because he did not call out his friend's on-and-off-touches which most Osakan boys might have (usually with a good natured "Whaddya doin'?").