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
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