Fine. The homestay program won me over using incredibly cute Japanese kids and the magic of Wii Sports. If that's not fighting dirty, I don't know what is.
I'll briefly recap the last three hours here.
I left class at 1 to buy a ticket for my 1:50 train to Kamakura. After a lot of wandering around the first floor and basement of Shibuya Station, I also managed to find a liquor store, where I bought a nice bottle of Chardonnay. Had to make up for not having a souvenir from America and/or Yale somehow. Turned out it was a good choice, since the husband (whom I have not yet met) apparently likes white wine. I just figured that Japanese diet consists mostly of fish, and my extremely limited knowledge of winery finery includes the fact that fish and white wine go together like me and a flask full of cheap convenience store vodka.
Rode the train for about 50 minutes to Kamakura. Most of that time was spent under the malicious gaze of a middle-aged Japanese man across the car from me. I guess I was looking all lone-male-gaijin dangerous again.
My host mother, Katou Atsuko-san, called me on my cell after I arrived, and it turned out that she was right there at the same exit I was. I got out and met her and her adorable daughters, Mariko (7) and Sachiko (3). There's a 9-year-old son somewhere, but he hasn't been around yet. The father of the family will be at work late and probably won't return until 9pm. Atsuko-san and I spoke entirely in Japanese during the short car drive to the house. They know about the language pledge! But it seems to be working out, anyhow. I can't understand Sachiko at all, but, sometimes, neither can her mother. She's extremely energetic and excitable. Mariko and I played some Wii Tennis and Boxing. I learned that I haven't lost my touch at Tennis (デービッドやっぱ強いよ！）, but I'm still no good at Boxing. She was kicking my keister, until I somehow beat her at the very end, despite going down for a 9-count twice in a row.
Anyway, they just left to take Mariko to her ballet lesson, so I decided to check my mail and blog. I'll write a full update on Monday.
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5 comments:
Don't they have a dog?
Sadly not. The boy, Taiki, is allergic, I believe. We did see some great big dogs during the car ride back from sightseeing, though.
i want a sachiko for my souvenier from japan!
and I want mariko, please.
pictures, david, pictures!
ugh, this thing hates me. that was me.
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