カラオケ、ジェットコースター、大学祭、飲み放題

I've had a pretty fulfilling 6-day weekend so far!
While I initially wanted to get all of my homework done early so I wouldn't have to worry about it later, I decided that it's alright if I don't necessarily have an urge to study Japanese like I should, and to just go out and try new things, make mistakes, live, etc.

Beginning with Thursday night, 4 friends and I left for a theme park in Yamanashi called "Fuji Q." We rode the train for roughly two hours to get to an area just outside of Tokyo where we spent the night doing karaoke. This is considerably cheaper than renting a hotel room, at around $11 per person, with free beverages. We left around 5 and drove a few more hours to get to our final destination, at the foot of Mount Fuji!

On 0 hours of sleep, it had to have been some of the most ethereal scenery I have ever experienced.

The sun sets quite early in Japan, but when it rises, it is BRILLIANT! The land of the rising sun is most apt. The bright light cascaded over the valleys and hills of forested terrain. It was not possible to capture the glorious scenery on my camera, although I tried, despite feeling occasionally carsick due to tight swirving on the narrow roads, lack of sleep and a stable diet of liquids. As we drove into more suburban areas or kougai (feeling immensely satisfied for retaining vocabulary), Fujisan made occasional appearances. It was just as grandiose as I remember. And of course, very archetypal Japan.

Despite being suburban, there were a lot of nooks with gardens and farmed areas. It felt like a different side of Japan. It was surreal to see career men and women and children starting their days, with mine never having ended, in this incredibly bright sunlight. In conclusion, I absolutely love cartrips, and simply seeing the world that way without necessarily doing anything would make me immensely happy.

This has to be 7 or so in the morning.

A little bit unnatural.










Of course, going to theme parks is not a bad way to spend time either.
Fuji Q's main attractions were a ride called "Ei ja nai ka," "Fujiyama," and a very long and fast coaster called "Dodonpa."  The rides were a lot scarier-looking than some that I hesitated to go on in America, but the lack of lines and mild acceptance of my group to ride scary roller coasters made the experience painless.  Afterwords, the ride staff even claps for you!

"Ei ja nai ka" can't really be translated, but it's a historical allusion to a time prior to the collapse of the Shogunate, when villagers and townspeople danced the street shouting this phrase "Why the hell not," "Isn't it great" as an extended Thanksgiving celebration throughout Japan.

Sorry for the ambiguous explanation.  But why not shoot down a 90º angle backwards?  At least, it was backwards if I remember correctly.

To prevent your items from getting stolen, you put them in these lockers and take the key with you, which is on a strap that goes on your wrist.  Very convenient and sensible.

The Thai girls were really into taking pictures, but this is a truism for Japan in general.  Every moment is a photo op when you're cute and photogenic.

Moving on to the University Festival, the whole reason behind the so-called holiday, an explosion of vibrant and decorated student booths selling cheap food for their organizations.  My friend Chie actually participated in a "Free (or flea, I never figured it out) market" which is basically a thrift store selling items for under $5.  My tutor, Hitomi, sold fried chicken.  I also sampled Kinako fried ice cream, takoyaki, curried udon, green tea pancakes, oden, crepes and pumpkin croquet faster than you can say "fatty."  Although not all in one day, and the portions were small.
 In addition to student-made food, it was nice to hear students singing familiar Hirai Ken and anime songs a-capella, as well as see a different rendition of soran bushi, which I performed with JASA at Maryland.  I check out an "O-warai" or comedy skit put on by members of this group, P-RITTS.  Their sign said "I think it would be good if you laughed"
That in itself is reason enough to laugh.  But I couldn't really follow the skits.

I also discovered some of the "circles" or clubs that I'm interested in joining; Chiba-neko, a group dedicated to caring for stray cats, and a group for raising plants and gardening.  I think more of these kinds of clubs should exist in the states.

Afterwards, I went to Chiba city and did some light shopping before coming home, only to go back into Chiba in search of a club to spend Halloween night at.  Never having been to an American club, I was really curious to see what Japan might be like, especially for Halloween.

It led to an amusing adventure, with six of us wandering around the streets of Chiba, being talked to in English by drunk guys and accosted by hostesses.  We didn't actually find the club we were looking for, and ended up ducking into an "Izakaya," or pub/tavern where you buy small meals and share them amongst your group.  I was pretty full from the festival, but ended up getting some pretty delicious, buttery corn.

This liver, was on the house I suppose.  It wasn't really bad tasting, but between that, butter corn, and all-you-can-drink beverages, I ended up spending and eating more than I wanted to.  I came back home feeling kind of sick too.
Oh well, no regrets :)





However, this month I have managed to spend over $1000.  I am not exactly pleased with myself, but I have got some major purchases out of the way, so I have cheaper, more frugal days to look forward to.  I will have to save more for future traveling and excursions though.  I should also save some time to study and write postcards and be an adult.

Chiba monorail at night.

In case a thousand people dying of thirst happen to walk by...

Matsuya serves filling meals for under $5!  In spite of this, I haven't been there enough for all of my time in Japan.  You order your meal and pick up a ticket from a vending machine.