J-11 5/14 Akakusa and Rizu Ochakai
I was going to try for touji this day, but I decided to be a tourist with . I'm very glad I did!
I met Jen at one of the Hibiya entrances. I'm very glad I left early because I had to wander around in order to find the right entrance. I swear why must there be so many entrances!? I'm such a hopeless country bumpkin at times.
When Jen and I finally met up we were all :DDD at each other. Really, we have known each other for many years and yet haven't ever had the chance to meet up. Such a sweetheart <3
We wandered around Tokyo for a while in search of two things. Food and a hat for Jen's outfit that night. Silly girl left the best part of her outfit at her place! Plus alot of NBN fangirling in between. We ended up getting lunch in a building whose name I totally don't remember, but it was delicious! It was decently priced (for Tokyo). I really love Japanese food <3
We also wandered around trying to find a nice shop with a decently priced fedora. Eventually we headed over to Ginza to see if we would have any luck there. Though this involved Jen forgetting her bag was in Hibiya and having to walk back then and then back to Ginza. I got a lot of exercise that day, hehe.
In Ginza we found a nice one in a men's store. Took some convincing and moral support from me to get Jen to go in. Also I think she bought Masaki something in there? Guilt maybe for cheating on her that night? ;) Then we sort of wandered around the place and I found myself some nice clothing too. Was nice to find $3000 yen clothing in a place full of $30,000 yen clothing heh.
Also at some point I got introduced to the Tokyo Taka-an heh. Spent alot >_>
Then when headed back to Asakusa so Jen could check in and we could sight see. We went to a the Sensoji temple that was close by and I was pretty shocked. Even though I have been in Japan before I never came close to the touristy areas. I was pretty surprised by crowds and craziness of the temple. There were amazingly tacky shops and people all over the place. It was amazing. Several times we got accosted by tour guides dressed as rickshaw drivers. A couple of gutsy ones tried English.
I did my very first prayer at a temple and got a fortune thingy! Jen so kindly tried to translate the fortune for me and got peeved when she realized there was an English translation on the back. Regardless I got a very good fortune. Though the cryptic "someone you are waiting for will be late" got to me. Who the heck could it be? <= still don't know. Also I have very good prospects for marriage. Pfft.
Anyways, after we decided we saw enough of the temple and its grounds (and had gelato..) we went to look at Tokyo Sky Tree from the bridge. It was quite the awesome sight! I can't remember if I got a picture. Then we both realized what time it was and headed our separate ways to meet back at Hibya station so we could go to Sawaki Rizu's ochakai together!
Sadly, that didn't quite happen. After I had gotten ready and was heading out the door, I got called over by the hostel dude. Apparently there was something wrong with my card. I was panicking because nothing should be wrong with my card and second I had somewhere to be. Turned out nothing was wrong with my card, just his system. But, by that point I was already running late.
I passed a very traumatic 30 minutes trying to run in heels through Hibiya station and to where the ochakai would be held. Thankfully, I made it /just/ a few minutes before Rizu arrived. I was embarrassed and hot. Also once again felt really out of place, thankfully Jen was there to make me feel less conspicuous. Even though I had been told, I was still surprised by the fact there was actual food there. I admit to feeling a bit strange eating at an ochakai, especially knowing that Rizu would walk in any minute. Which she did. Almost immediately people stopped eating... even though it was okay to keep doing so. I was too nervous to eat, hah.
Ahh, it was a really nice ochakai. It's hard to believe a human being like Rizu exists. She had a very soft, gentle voice and was incredibly sweet. I understood about a quarter of what she said in regards to the show and revue (mostly because I /hadn't/ seen either). I had an easier time with the off questions and she stole my heart with her answers. A Les Miz fan <3
I was also thoroughly embarrassed and traumatized via the game. Its hard to pretend to be the Eiffel tower.
She killed me through when she sang her songs. Jen and I were beside ourselves when she told us she'd sing Amor Amor. Jen and I being extreme NBN fanatics AND huge fans of Rizu's voice were in heaven. I think though we gave the poor girl a heart attack in turn. She messed up the lyrics and looked ready to die. I felt my heart burst just watching her scrunch up her face and shoulders as if trying to willing time to stop (cuter version of Hiro from Heros xD). When she finally worked herself back up to singing it blew me away. Her voice <3 Her voice <3 Then as if we weren't dead enough, she say On My Own. GUH.
I felt pretty high after all that and was trying to not panic again as we got in line for handshakes. I've only shaken two other sienne's hands before, one which was quick, but spellbinding, and the other wouldn't let go until she got out enough "sankyuus" (and I'm sure was enjoying herself watching me panic). Needless to say I was scared. Didn't help Jen then said "Oh yeah she likes to talk to each person forever." WELL.
But, Jen and I amused ourselves with this SUPER CUTE young girl that was ahead of us. She was unbearably adorable and Rizu thought so too.
I let Jen do most of the talking, because Rizu muddled my brain. Though I managed to choke out that I thought her voice was amazing in response to her apology for sucking. I also tried be cheeky by calling her my "Munequita Linda", but that just got me an impressed look and a very earnest "sugoi spaingo". Okay then.
I don't remember the handshake. I remember Jen and I bouncing and squealing once were properly out of Rizu's line of sight. Also being pretty puzzled by our omiyage. It was a shoe bag.
We headed back to Sakura Hotel and sat for a while in the cafe chatting and rehashing ochakai details until Jen had to head back.
It amazes me how much joy Takarazuka brings me. Also how tired it makes me. I was dreading the following day. For I had another ochakai. In Mura.
Next: I am crazy and Michael-cha