The Osaka Misadventures File

The Usual LineUp

a) view from new bedroom window shot.....

b) Something Japanesey....
c) Something Stupid

posted by japanesetakeout @ 9:20 PM 2 comments

I heart Osaka

Random Thoughts On...

My Neighbourhood...
We live in a seemingly authentic part of town, a relief to have a calm space away from the flashing lights of Namba which would get wearing after a while. We still have our own flashing lights just on a more serene level. Adore being the only white people, 5 days on and yet to see a westerner that I don`t already know. The locals are very accepting of us when they think we are tourists who accidentally got off at the wrong station...the real stares come during the grocery shopping/toilet paper carrying moments when I know they are suprised we actually live here now! I know I would be shocked also.. Every mall plays western music which is a fun suprise, highlights have included oh what a night, jeremiah was a bullfrog and she by elvis costello or maybe someone else. James blunt is very popular especially the further I walk into fish jumping out of buckets/shanty house/old people neighbourhoods..Its ironic they are building a new subway line in my street after 6 months of constant jack hammering in new farm! Enjoy watching the efficient work men who like in australia seem to do nothing more than stand around, at least with the white gloves and flashing lit up vests they look more efficient and I am all for that. Rule one in life...Look Busy!

The People
Its not even the polite culture that is the difference to home, it really is the attitude to customer service. But even so, opening up a bank account and applying for foreigner card is still the most successful moments of my life in terms of things going smoothly and dealing with institutions...Love the sweet sweet girls at the bank who are our new best friends, also the 7-11 girl who is so kind and has crazy hair. I am learning the phrase; a small gift for you, and plan to give her one of my australian crap items the next time she has to operate the self service phone card machine for me, leaving her long line of customers...not to mention the time I left my money upstairs and appeared even more of an idiot surpassing the smile and nod variety I am feeling like most of the time! I made a friend on the train, the little man who works on the tourist boat, everyone is so helpful and do approach you if looking confused except of course when you actually really need help then everyone is blind apparently! The other westerners in this city have seen maybe 15 in total are very closed off and dont make eye contact. Maybe sick of the fresh recruits off the boat asking questions or something. who knows! I am suprised however and would not choose to approach any of them for directions etc unless in dire need. I am sure there are many more friendly westerners out there maybe all watching the football. My new group of 30 are great so it all evens out...

The Food
Hot damn the bread!!! My friend Jayde was right, the breads and bakery items are totally the downfall here! I had no idea that there would be a bakery on each corner and a french bakery on every second corner! Already enjoyed creme brulee, super thick sugar bread for toasting, strawberry shortcake. Is a random unexpected development here although lets face it everything is unexpected for me, the most unprepared and researched person to ever move to this fine city. But I wouldn:t have it any other way. Local samplings have included the sweet bean ball desserts, green tea gelato, local vodka mixer drinks, yoghurt cookies. Tonight is time to try the infamous octupus balls...

Living Life
Everything is somehow so easy here, even getting actually lost is impossible. I am lucky and haven:t had any culture shock, looking around and seeing no english and no white people doesn:t seem to make any impact on me. Felt really sorry and shocked at a poor american girl who saidd she was already having terrible culture shock, I had not heard anyone say anything like that yet and highly suprised. I know the hard times will come, I am already having tv withdrawals a little! But the city has a good atmosphere. Oh I saw my first yakusa!!! So hot, he caught me staring and potentially drooling. Oh and bananas are equal to $1 a kilo here!

I am off to shop at the 100 yen shop and get out of the vortex-y internet cafe, such a trap to spend hours here!

Take care yall, will upload some photos tomorrow

CLM x

posted by japanesetakeout @ 8:49 PM 0 comments

Singapore Recap

Had the best best time in potentially one of the most perfect cities...although I was suprised to find alot of back streets and dirtier areas. Pleasantly suprised actually, perfection sucks! I am sorry to not do my time there justice by remembering more to write about...the churches are white washed with egg whites...theives market...running out of my hotel room looking for a bin to dispose of duran seeds aka the smelliest (but quite nice) fruit in the world!

Such a lucky time to visit prior to the IMF convention and the 16,000 who will decend. Loved the panicked planting of extra flowers! Poor taxi drivers who have to smarten up their image...Feeding koi, not understanding Singlish, too many tourists..Fantasy island sentosa with your eeiry perfection and lack of tourists! Night safari dream state.. under the full moon, balmy breeze and huge lakes reflecting the jungle and giraffes..cheap movie tickets, cheaper cabs, helpful machine gun police...

Bustling random markets, flowers I wished I could buy,
melting pot of every asian image I can think of...
Charming me with English quaintness meets the East...
You rock Singapore!

posted by japanesetakeout @ 8:33 PM 0 comments

Bloody Hell Lah!

Epic few hours involving possibly heat stroke, search to buy second suitcase in crowded markets eventually walking all over city and then returning to crowded market, schlepping additional suitcase etc etc

A game I have been playing is good thing/ bad thing...GOOD THINGS: new suitcase is very smart and now love my 2 sets of funky colored locks...Bad thing luggage has increased to 40kg but GOOD THING trainee SQ lady did not charge me extra...Good thing able to send package home while still in english speaking country...BAD THING any time when you have to multilply open suitcase in airport in front of crowd is possibly heading towards a bad thing...

Had whole profound entry in head but you know. Feel quite nauseaus from random food all day and still really tired. Enjoying airport scenery of aussies in boardies which always cracks me up. Why do I never have any cash at this airport!! I know I have told you all about last time I was here and not getting out money to buy food. This time am forcing self to get money out to have shower wil be worth it. By the way hate hate hate dvt paranoia...I swear there are lumpy hot parts on my leg but if I die this time then so be it! At least am wearing new t-shirt and balenciagia bangle...see hsiny I will never make it in couture if I can't spell it.

Random thing I keep forgetting and remembering...bizarre and oddly upsetting sight...walk into bugis mall bathrooms and the janitor lady is sitting in an (open) closet by the door rolling a big roll of t-paper onto smaller rolls! by hand! in a cupboard!

Clara has been concerned that singaporeans were going to be impolite to me, well a) I think my constant holding door open and saying sorry (you do know how I love to say sorry x million) has taught them a thing or two and b) any negative thoughts about it (not that there are any) would be my darling taxi man on the way here who gave me long guided tour (wtf! only $2 extra for long time lah) and entire history of sing starting 1864...

KEEPING IT TOGER+THER....

posted by japanesetakeout @ 8:04 AM 0 comments

Singapore...tales of a city

Well my time in Singapore is nearly at an end, should have updated sooner! Very tired at the moment and have a big 24 hours ahead of me so just some random thoughts...

There is a spotlight store here!...The city is a dichotomy with world class-ness contrasted by the people riding in backs of utes and random scenes the tourists don't expect...Sentosa island was a highlight only because I was the only one there! So bizarre! But very fun walking around in orchid gardens alone...Poor taxi drivers have to sharpen up image for IMF people...little houses left over from 1920s...church white washed with combinantion of egg whites and flour...

Sayonara Singapore with your glorious perfection and grotty back streets...hello year of living large...

posted by japanesetakeout @ 2:20 AM 0 comments