Four and a half hours after we first met at the university, we had finished the formalities of the day (and got lost too, which was fun). So we parted ways, and those of us riding bikes (three of us, as Vinnie had gone to work) decided to check out the Bunka Center (Culture Center) where we had to meet the next day. It was fairly close to City Hall, so afterwards we went to Lawson (another
combini) to ask about phone cards. It turns out that it costs around $14 to call Australia for 30 minutes. I think it's
cheaper to call from
home, so I will (maybe). If I hear people's voices at this stage, I think it will just make me feel homesick.
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After NOT buying a phone card, I asked if Tegan (who had been in Himeji for a week) to show me a department store. I can't remember the name of the place that we went to, but it's a bit like Target or
Kmart I guess, rather than David Jones. Catherine and I spent about 15 minutes looking around the Yen 100 shop (about $1.50) at useless junk. I bought Yen 800 worth of
stuff, but paid only Yen 400. Hmm, I think that's cheating. The lady didn't see the small things in the gift bag I bought. I showed her, really I did, but she just turned a
blind eye. Anyway, so I guess I'm a criminal. Better get used to cold showers and hard beds as it's only a matter of time before I get sent to the slammer.
At the shop I bought this horrible salty worst-taste ever dried squid, that I gave to Tegan and Matt because I just DID NOT like it at all. They loved it. It made me sick to watch them wolf it down. Nah, it wasn't that bad. But I sure was glad I had also purchased sweet dried
banana chips. I think I'm addicted to the stuff they put in processed dried fruit. Trust me, it's not as healthy as you think. But it took the evil taste of squid out of my mouth. |
Tegan showed us her apartment in the student block near the university (gosh I'm envious; they live so much closer than I do!!). The rooms are nice; quite large but with a teeny tiny "kitchen" area. Electric stove though; bonus. The bathroom is really cramped, but then I suppose it's only a one-person apartment so it doesn't really matter. My house is heaps better, I love it so much!! I wish I could transport it to Perth (but I would have to get new staircases so I don't fall and break my neck).
After leaving the student housing, Catherine and I headed in the direction of the university (even though it was opposite to my house) so as to follow the same route as before. So we parted ways and it was just me, alone, on the road, with awfully tired legs and a
bruised ego from the stupid day I'd had. So as I got closer to home, landmarks started to show themselves, but I panicked and went in circles at least once. The problem was that I had seen so many landmarks that day and it was impossible to remember the combination of landmarks that led to my house. I got lost, again, only a hundred meters from the house, but in a different place than last time.
I saw a boy from the local high school that I knew was just around the corner from home, so I asked him where it was so I could navigate from there. As I was asking him, a girl called to me from across the street, and I realized it was my Host Sister's friend from the other day when we
walked the dog. She had been
walking her dog too (these dogs, they look like the lovechildren of foxes and dingoes). And here she was again, to save the day! I thanked the boy, and followed the girl. Thank goodness I had chosen to stop when I had, because I was planning to go in the completely wrong direction. She led me down less than 50 meters, and there I was, at the elusive house. I honestly think that when I go out the house just moves around by itself and is never in the same place. Tomorrow I am contemplating pretending to go out, and really just hiding out around the corner, so as to
spy on the house all day to witness it moving.
Tonight I prepared the
Australian souvenirs to give to my Host Family. I am anxious about handing them out, because I hope they like them. For dinner we ate very traditional Japanese food;
oyagudon I think it was called. Rice with fried egg and some green stuff. I had
miso soup again, and
green tea - man, I'm getting good at this. My Host Mum can make anything taste good. But not that dried squid!
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