Not Just Ninjas

Maybe it’s because I’m sitting around on a rainy day listening to the wonderful music Shira gave me, music which reminds me how far away Mexico is. Maybe it’s because the karaoke videos from friday night were filled with images of downtown Los Angeles and the little red San Diego trolley. Maybe it’s because all I’ve felt for the last month is exhilaration as everything metamorphosizes from the strange to the familiar, and now that I know how to shop for groceries and find my way around town, I finally have a chance to breathe. Maybe it’s because I finally finally don’t have to be on my guard every second of every day, ready to gracefully(?) deal with the unexpected.

For whatever reason, I finally have the time and energy and peace of mind to miss everyone.

I’ve been dreaming about Asogli concerts, and family Thanksgivings. I miss living so close to the Mexican border, where old ladies sell tamales out of their houses, and low riders swing by playing mariachi music.

Even though I love living in this curious, bizarre country with the genki screaming kids and the neighbors who offer you sake when you’re out to eat, and the temperamental schitzo weather and the old ladies who push you over to get a seat on the trains… home still beckons seductively from across the Pacific.икони

Well, I’ve officially been here a month now, which is now the longest amount of time I’ve been in a foreign country. Let’s celebrate with a few observations:

Great Ideas:

-bicycles which come standard with built in lock and self-powered light
-bathtubs which overflow into… the shower!
-using as much water as you want because bucketfulls more will be falling at 3 am
-public transport that is cheaper and faster than your car
-paying your bills at the convenience store
-grocery stores which pack mini ice packs in with your freezer food

Not so great:

-every shower comes equiped with a mirror (why, why I ask you? I already *know* where everything is!)
-ineffective deoderant
-ineffective detergent
-the crazy rule that says the public school teachers must move around from school to school every 3-5 years. The teachers can’t even explain the logic of this one to me.

MIA:

-ice cream trucks with mariachi music
-real honest-to-god BEER.
-tortillas and sourdough bread
-recreational beaches
-coffee houses with frilly drinks, indie music, free internet and luscious couches

Behold: 8 slices.

Yes, the neighborhood guys actually came through and did manage to hold a shindig for Chris’s birthday last Sunday. We’re not sure about the exact details; we know that we were supposed to have a party by the park at 5; we passed our neighbor on the way there (“hello”); we sat on the curb by ourselves for like 6 minutes; then he came driving up in a rush (from his house two blocks away), and told us that the party was now at his place at 6…. This all reeked of last-minute realization, but this didn’t really matter in the long run, because we ended up having such a rollicking time.

At first it was just us, and our neighbors, a family of 5. Our hosts fired up a number of goodies on an outdoor grill, which was lit by a 9 year old with a propane torch. Quite a sight to see.

I played volleyball with the kids out in the street, and cheered as Sakiko showed us her bright turquoise unicycle skillz. We played catch with Teppei, the youngest boy. When the ball went onto the roof of the tax office across the street, our neighbor lifted his 7 year old son right up there to go get it. Awesome.

We learned how to eat edamame “the right way.” We tried more sake and shochu. Chris graciously accepted a pot of little orange gerber daisies. We ate tasty veggies picked fresh from their front yard garden. I tried some crazy shellfish that you stick on the grill, then just pull out of the shell and suck down. We ate pork liver (earthy!), and the tastiest home wok’d noodles ever. I explained to the kids about toasting marshmallows until they’re puffed up and black, and then sucking them down while they’re still hot. We learned that you can write messages on the asphalt with sparklers.

Then the party really began. A few more guests and kids from the neighborhood joined later in the evening. One man brought a fish he had just caught that day, and he fixed us fresh fresh fresh sashimi, which everyone gladly devoured. Chris got more presents: a winnie-the-pooh towel, some hello kitty charms, and a japanese headband (hachimaki?), all 100% AWESOME.

We’re lucky to have such great neighbors who go to such extreme efforts to include us in their community and make us feel welcome. Thanks, y’all! We love you!