Christmas in Japan
Christmas was really a week long event for me in Japan. On the 19th I went to my adult class’s Christmas party, which involved supper at a French restaurant, nice wine, and a gift exchange. I got some books to help with my Japanese and maple pies… straight from Canada. The pies are delicious, by the way. On the 20th was the school’s dorm’s Christmas party, which involved a really nice meal (and an actual chicken leg!!) and a bingo game. I won a lock. The 21st was my school’s teacher’s year end party (or boun-enkai) up at Hirayu (which was beautiful with all the snow). Many of the teachers got ridiculously drunk, as is to be expected as these things, and some performed on stage nearly naked. There was also a group attempt at trying to do some exercises from Billy’s Boot Camp.
The next day I went down to Takayama and found out that at George’s boun-enkai worse events had taken place. Several of the teachers, after much drinking, decided to start breaking chopsticks… using only their buttocks. This was done by stripping to underwear only, then placing the chopsticks between the underwear and skin and then flexing. George, was (rather unwillingly) brought up onto the stage to participate. He was surprised to find out that when the chopsticks break… they break INTO the buttocks. Anyways, we went down to King (I think it’s called) and shot pool, bowled, played air hockey and ping pong. I ended up driving back to my town at 3 in the morning, or something ridiculous like that.
I returned to Takayama on the 23rd again, to do some karaoke with some JETs and associates. I spent the night at George’s so that I could help Fiona prepare for the Christmas party on the 24th. Everyone had to bring some food to the party, and I chose to give up some of my Mac and Cheese… which after initially being mocked by Andrew (another JET) while I was cooking it, was received at the dinner table with shouts of joy. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who missed the stuff. The party went from noon until about ten, and was followed by a watching of “Love Actually”, which is what is the classic Christmas movie for my generation, I suppose.
The next day was Christmas itself and I woke up to a phone call from my family. George, and the rest of the people had already left for work… but I had taken the day off so I wandered Takayama for awhile (and had lunch at the Center 4 Burgers ((AMAZING))) before heading back up to Kamioka. …where I spent Christmas afternoon doing laundry. I went out to my local restaurant for supper and the owner gave me free Christmas cake to eat with a side of free coffee. She also gave me a free sandwich (for lunch today) and two Christmas oranges when I left. I returned home and brought little Christmas presents to the teachers in my apartment building. Then I watched some hockey highlights and “It’s a Wonderful Life”… and so ended my first Christmas in Japan.
How did others spend Christmas Day? Well, a lot of people I know went to work. A Japanese friend of mine happened to have the day off because she has every Tuesday off… and she cleaned all day. This is apparently really popular… like spring cleaning back in Canada. Another just played tennis all day. People in relationships went on dates, …but I didn’t see any of them out and about in my town (not surprisingly).
Thing I miss most about Canada today: Obviously, Christmas with the family.
Thing I love most about Japan today: Center 4 Hamburgers. Sugoi Oishii! Hamburgers that rival the best in Canada. That’s right, the gloves have been thrown down…. Center 4 Hamburgers is comparable to Original George’s!! …although they’re also very different from each other!
