Chapter 15 – Saturday 28th June 2008
Today we planned to go and see ‘Takarabune’ the A Capella group that we met, sing at a large department store in Kobe. Here we go another ‘navigation adventure’!!! We found the right train and changed train lines and actually got there just in time. The girls were wonderful with tight harmonies and fantastic percussive expertise. We chatted with them after the performance and they each got a ‘trusty key ring kangaroo’ we made sure that they matched the colours of the kangaroos vests with their gorgeous long gown outfits. Yep! Another ‘Nols Fashion Triumph!!!’ Brian and I then went shopping…………No!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep!!! I found some new shoes. “Why are we not surprised!!” I cant believe how much walking we are doing. (Note to the Aussie lot coming over here soon: BRING COMFY SHOES and ones that can handle wet weather!!!!) Brollys are cheap and prolific here so you buy one when you arrive! We found a ‘Croc’ shop………..you know the bright rubber shoes everyone wears. Well I have never been a fan of them though people who have ‘originals’ tell me that they are really great! So Brian and I have relented and we are now wearing our ‘Crocs’. Brian got a pair that are all covered in (no holes) so look more like ‘interesting’ shoes and I got a ‘Minny Mouse’ red pair that don’t look like ‘Crocs’ at all……..waterproof!! We looked for jeans for Brian……….they have really ‘cool’ styles here with lots of patterns and chains and tears and stuff. The more tears the more expensive! Brian saw a pair with dragons embroidered on them problem is sizing it is hard to find things to fit. (Including shoes – my size 8 is considered about the biggest size and of course you have less choice!!) So no dragons for Brian as they didn’t fit! :(
I love all the wonderful fabrics and paper here and am having heaps of fun playing in the ‘craft’ isles. I am stocking up on wonderful Japanese designs for my ‘Fizychik - card creations’ and am looking at doing ‘fusions’ of Jappy and Aussie designs in my spare time. Huh? What spare time!!!
Brian wanted to buy some mugs. Whenever we do a course or have a special event we anchor it with a mug so that when we drink out of them it reminds us of the person or event. We found a wonderful shop full of bowls and plates, cups and glasses. All very Japanese. There is just something about their designs that I really love and I just wanted them all. In the end we found very simple hand thrown pottery mugs. The shop keeper kept bowing so low and running around serving us Japanese tea (in wonderful little cups of course.) and gift wrapping our purchases. I want to go back there just to experience his humble sweetness. Everyone is so helpful and the service is excellent. The ‘Croc shop’ guy ran across the road in the rain with us just to give us some directions. (I gave him a ‘trusty kangaroo’ in thanks!) Another lady I bought shoes off………….yes I know more shoes……….what can I say I like shoes!!!!! She took us out of the department store into the main shops to show us where the cafes were. Very polite and very helpful. Aussies take note!!!
We are spending a lot of time with Miyuki and Aki (Mugan Life Team) and as their English is minimal and our Japanese is the same, we have lots of fun and a little bit of frustration trying to communicate. Miyuki is staying with us in the ‘music room’ and Aki has a little one bedroom unit in the same block as us but they spend most of the time in our living room on the computers. There are 4 of them going all at the same time…………a hive of activity!!! I have to put my foot down and send them to bed as they stay up till past 1 am most nights working. Can’t believe how late the Japanese work here. Still making phone calls at 11pm. We had a business meeting with some wonderful guys ‘Jin & Yuminaka’ and we met them at 10pm for dinner!!! (See photo)The trains are still full at midnight!!!! “GO TO BED!!!!”
We have taught the girls to swear!!! Brian even wrote a phrase (which will not be repeated here) in Katakana so they could get the pronunciation exactly right!!! “F##KING AWESOME, MATE! (whoops!) It’s a Kak just listening to them practicing – breaks us up!!! They are so sweet looking too it just doesn’t seem right! Trust me to get them into mischief!!
Anyway stay on the edge of your seat the next instalment is on the drawing board……………………..”MARTINSSSSSSSSSSSSSS INNNNNNNNNNN JAPANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!”
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