USJ

Universal Studios Japan!!! It sucked! We went a while back and it was a pretty bad time. Setting aside the fact that in the morning I crashed my bike and destroyed my hands right before we left, the place itself was not as exciting as I expected. The rides were all 3D videos with shaking seats, and the only rollercoaster they have (which I might say looks absolutely awesome!!) was closed for the day!!!

The only half decent ride was Jurasic Park, and it was mostly because of the ambiance.

Papel higienico Shin Chan!!

jajajajaja, estaba haciendo la compra tranquilamente en el super de siempre, y que me encuentro?? Papel higienico de Shin Chan! Pense que merecia la pena poner la foto.

Home Visit Family

When I got to Japan I signed up for a program called Home Visit Family. The idea was that I would visit a traditional family and get to experience Japanese life. Not as intense as a Homestay, but better suited for someone level 1, like me. When we met last semester it was always a bit awkward, the only one who spoke English was the boy, and he wasn't that great. Now that I can express myself, at least a bit, in Japanese, our relationship has gotten so much better. Now we meet to spend entire days together, instead of just going over for 1 dinner a month. They have become very important for me in Japan and definetely something I'll hate to leave behind. They're so sweet and nice!!

We have amazing Japanese dinners cooked by Okaasan.

The whole family plays wii

And my Okaasan loves me.

It was so sad, the other day I saw them for the last time. Japan is such an awkward culture and huging and showing emotions is not something you do. I didn't know how to react or what to say to any of them, because back home we would have hugged. So many people have told me how when they tried to hug their host-mothers, who they live with every day, the Japanese mom would keep away and be very awkward. When it came time to say goodbye to my Okaasan she started crying and hugged me. It's something I completely did not expect.

Goodbye Okaasan!

Aprende España!

Si hay algo que deberia daros envidia es que aqui hay McDonald's 24 horas en todas partes! Sales de fiesta, son las 3:30 de la mañana y necesitas salir del club un rato para reponer fuerzas. A la vuelta de la esquina... McDonald's!!! Y está abierto!!! Es genial! O a las 6 de la mañana cuando chapan los bares y en McDonald's empiezan a servir el menú de desayuno!!!

Every time a bell rings...

In the classic movie It's a wonderful life they say a very catchy phrase: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings". In Japan they should say: "Every time a train is late, a kaishain committed suicide". Apparently the train system in Japan is so good, that it's never late, and whenever it's late, it means someone jumped in front of a train. Jumping in front of a train is the most popular way to go in Japan, where suicide rates are quite high. Why am I rambling about this? The other night we were going to catch a train to go out. The train was 1 minute late and our Japanese friend, Yuji, made a comment about someone committing suicide. Obviously we thought he was joking, at least until 3 guards walked passed us carrying a body bag. Pretty shocking, sorry I don't have pics.

Here's looking at your kid

Have you ever tried writing something on word and hitting the "translate" button? If you have you've seen the idiotic things that come up. Imagine doing that with Japanese sayings. In the website http://www.engrish.com/, where these pictures are from, you have numerous examples of this, plus plenty of phrases they just got terribly wrong. Like the one on the title, what a way to destroy an awesome and legendary catchphrase. You'll find these "engrish" phrases all over Japan, they have them on t-shirts, menus, road signs... Keep an eye out!

To Be or Not to Be..... Japanese

Among the many surprising things you find in this country, one of them is definitely the amount of gaijin (foreigners) trying to become Japanese. In Spain you don't see foreigners dressed up in matador clothes trying to become one of us; you might see the occasional preteen age boy rocking a Spanish mullet, but that's just an unfortunate fashion trend, and let's face it, it's the parents fault, you should never let your kid have a mullet! Especially when they accompany it by piercing their ears or lips... but, back on subject! It's amazing the number of gaijin that walk around the streets of Japan dressed in a kimono or that submerge themselves so far into manga that they actually dress and walk like an anime character. No matter how hard you try you'll never be Japanese. At the same time, who would want to be? Japanese are over-worked, under-slept and under-paid people, their teen years seem to last twice as long as any other person's and they sleep on the floor! (Given that it might be good for your back, but beds are much more comfortable than futons). Still, there's something about being accepted by Japanese people... When you get here you're different, you're an outsider. It's fun, you're the center of attention, but still, you feel observed and distanced, even though the Japanese are incredibly friendly and (In the picture you can see girls sleeping at the cafeteria, Japanese people sleep wherever they can, bus, train, standing in line....)

I had the experience last semester to know what it was like to go from being an outsider to becoming part of a Japanese group. I joined a martial arts club, Shorinji Kempo. I did all I could to be accepted, since I was the only gaijin. I listened atentfully, I kept out of people's way and tried to keep up with their pace. But I was still viewed as an outsider and I could feel it. It took 2 months of cleaning up after the club meeting was over, following senpais around, bringing water and snacks for the club and learning how to say certain things in Japanese 'till I started fitting in. One day it suddenly happened, I got to practice and people were treating me differently, for some reason now I was accepted in the group, the jokes started, whenever I didn't keep up with the group the guys would push me to continue by punching my arm, I was invited to go out with them... and it all felt great. To be an actual part of a Japanese group is a whole new experience and a completely different feeling from being around the ones I meet anywhere else.

I understand the gaijin's craving for being accepted, but I also understand that no matter how hard anyone tries you can't become Japanese. For Japanese people anyone who hasn't been born and lived in Japan can't be Japanese. Sometimes, even actual Japanese people that go abroad to live or study are viewed differently when they get back. Why the hard effort to become Japanese? You're never going to accomplish it and you're just going to be frustrated. It seems as if the ex-pat life is much more rewarding: You are not expected to do any of the intricate things Japanese are expected to do and if you make your own place within a Japanese group you can enjoy an amazing friendship and feeling of belonging. So please, take off that kimono, don't wear those ridiculously short pants that only Japanese can pull off, lose the makeup if you're a guy and don't try to convince people to call you a Japanese name...

Pa ponerte los dientes largos

He vuelto! Si! Ya estoy aquí, y esta vez si que es para ponerte los dientes largos. Después de 3 semanas de infierno en la capital nipona por fin he acabado con el trabajo y ahora puedo disfrutarlo. No todo son quejas, haber trabajado tantas horas nocturnas en la zona más corrupta de Tokyo me ha dado algunas ventajas. Y es que no hay nada como la sensación de ser famoso en Roppongi: Que todos te saluden por la calle, te abran todas las puertas sin dejarte pagar entrada y cada copa que pidas sea complementos de la casa. Esas son algunas de las ventajas de haber sido el único niño blanquito trabajando para la que debe ser una de las mayores mafias africanas en Tokyo.

Esa es una foto de la zona donde trabajé. Pero acabé el Martes y cobré una substancial cantidad de dinero a la vez que una serie de regalos, imagino que para garantizar mi silencio.

Esa misma mañana, a las 6, después de cobrar decidí aventurarme por Tokyo, ya no como turista, pero como persona que lleva aquí casi un mes y se conoce el sistema. He de decir que en un día hice de todo en Tokyo. Mi primer destino fue el mercado de pescado de Tokyo, el más grande del mundo, donde puedes desayunar el sushi más fresco que existe. Sin duda delicioso hasta el ultimo bocado.

Después de un gran desayuno me dirigí a Ginza, que como su nombre indica: lugar de plata, es la zona de tiendas caras de Tokyo: Tiffany's, Armani, Bulgari... Allí, para mi sorpresa, nada abre hasta las 11. Así que, mientras tomaba uno de los cafés más caros que puedas encontrar, observaba a los turistas perdidos por la calle, siguiendo en círculos sus mapas. No hay nada como la sensación de moverte por Tokyo sabiendo a donde vas, no pareciendo un pato mareado. Al acabar mi segundo desayuno salí a hacer compras. Y a donde me fui a comprar? No a Japos'r'us, sino a Zara! Será que quiero ayudar a la economía española desde aquí. Unas camiseras demasiado caras después camine hasta Shimbashi, zona de oficinas. Allí me encontré con esto:

Para los que habéis seguido la nueva temporada de Heroes este es el puente en el que Ando mata a Hiro (oops, spoiler).

Ahí los edificios de oficinas.

Un largo paseo bajo una leve llovizna me llevaron de nuevo al metro, que esta vez cogí hasta Shinjuku donde me tomé un café en Starbucks, desde el cual puedes ver por la ventana como la inmensa masa de gente fluye por las sobrecargadas calles del barrio.

Finalmente acabé por ir a Harajuku, espectáculo donde los haya. No pondré fotos, si queréis ver lo increíble que es tendréis que venir a verlo. Es el barrio donde la gente viste auténticamente como le da la gana. Hay gente vestida de vampiro, de asistenta sadomasoquista, o con ropa y complementos futuristas... Hay de todo. Intenté comprar una camiseta igual q la de Goku en Bola de Dragon, pero no quedaba mi talla.

Cuando comencé este blog me prometí a mi mismo que no lo convertiría en un aburrido diario de lo que hago día a día. Sino que sería una escapatoria donde escribir mis pensamientos y sentimientos. Pero la sensación de superioridad que sentí ayer cuando me movía por Tokyo casi como un nativo, leyendo Kanji, viendo una peli en mi iphone mientras voy en el metro, sabiendo a donde voy... Fue demasiada como para no contároslo.

Ejemplos de elementos en mi uni

Aqui os pongo algunas fotos de solo unos pocos raros de mi uni para que veais a lo que me refiero:

Este personaje merecia ser capturado, se paso la mayor parte de la mañana en esa pose.

No se ve muy bien en esta foto, pero el tio q esta debajo de la japonesa es un geek de cojones, solo fijaros en el amigo y vereis a lo que me refiero, y lo que esta haciendo es meterle mano a la japones descaradamente en publico.

Este tio, debe ser uno de los mayores perdedores de su pais, se pasea con camisetas sin mangas porque se cree que esta bueno y, aunque no se perciba en la foto, las gafas siempre las lleva al revés. Seguramente alguien le dijo que eso era guay. Luego le veremos con japonesitas.

Aqui esta nuestro amigo de antes, esta vez con sus amigas y su inseparable sidekick, este es un tio que viste creyendose que es negro, con gorras de visera plana, camisetas de rap y colgantes de oro... Pero es blanco!!! Que alguien se lo diga!

Es el final de la mañana y este tio sigue en su pose...

Esta sobrevalorado ser un freak...

Bueno, aquí estoy en el student lounge bebiendo un café y escribiendo. Normalmente bebo cerveza para escribir, pero estamos en japón, donde no me dejan beber casi en ningún sitio... Algunos vienen aquí a hablar con amigos, otros a dormir, algunos vienen a ligar y los que menos vienen a estudiar. Pero todos tienen algo en común, son raros de cojones. Cuando decidí venir a Japón no se que es lo que tenia en mente, pero te aseguro que esto no era. Japón es increíble, pero atrae a todos los marginados e incomprendidos.
Aquí todo vale, puedes vestir con el peor gusto y las peores combinaciones de colores del mundo, aun así su reacción es: Sugoi! (algo así como cool/awesome). ¿Qué consigue esta respuesta automatizada que ha sido programada en todas sus cabezas para que nadie sea un individuo sino parte de una masa impersonal? Consigue que todos aquellos que han sido rechazados en una cultura donde simplemente puedes decir: - tío, pareces gilipollas-, acaben aquí. Y es que lo que esta de moda en Japón es tener ojos redondos, si los tienes eres automaticamente un triunfador. Así que esos raritos que la sociedad del individualismo y la vergüenza ajena ha expulsado para protegerse a si misma y que no saben ni por donde empezar a tener relaciones interpersonales acaban buscando refugio aquí. Y es que freaks hay en todo el mundo, pero lo que hay en Japón son raros.Así que me paso el día rodeado de gente a la que no se debería dejar estar en publico sin supervisión, viéndoles salir de su cascaron, creyéndose que son lo mejor, rodeados de japonesas (vestidas inapropiadamente y con una dentadura digna de aparecer en la película tiburón) que les adoran porque son blancos, y me pregunto: seré yo el raro? Al fin y al cabo soy yo el que no encaja .Cuando empecé a decirle a la gente que venia Japón a estudiar había una reacción que predominaba: la gente sonreía, asentían con la cabeza en forma de complicidad y decían: a estar con japonesitas... Por aquel entonces no lo entendía, pero ahora lo veo. Japón es el sitio donde seas como seas te vas a encontrar rodeado de chicas que se comportan como quince añeras y se visten como putas. Un grito de desaparición hacia los hombres del mundo: el hecho de que lleve minifalda no significa que este buena!! Y es que ninguno de estos raros socialmente ineptos puede ver la diferencia.

Welcome To Japan

Well, I've been here for a month almost and here are my long promised stories of what is going on in Japan. Let me tell you, Japan is like no other place I've ever been before. The more time I'm here the less I know what the hell is going on.

In a country where respect is the most important thing, but still 90% of girls get away with dressing like porn stars through the streets, the most difficult thing is to be a gaijin (foreigner). You would think that in the year 2008 people wouldn't be surprised when they see someone from a different racial background, specially if we are talking of Caucasian. For Christ's sake! we're in all the movies you watch!! But no, not in Japan, they will stare at you for hours on end without uttering a single word, and then, when you speak or just make a sudden movement, they will freak out as if they'd seen a talking frog. It's amazing that it never gets old for them, anything is funny.

Do this in front of a camera and they'll go wild! It's the funniest thing they've ever seen. You kind of feel like a monkey in a zoo, everyone coming around and laughing at anything you do. So obviously sometime we just have these random burst of stupid noises and movements just to freak out people around us. It can be extremely funny, especially in public areas, where people just freeze up and don't know what to do because you are not following the social norms.

Don't get me wrong, they're amazing people, really kind, nice and polite. I don't intend to make you think I've learned all about them in the month I've been here, but I've been here long enough to know that they are fucking weird.

As for the place, it is all very quiet, sun raises early and sets early. People don't make noise on the streets at sleeping hours and they're obsessed with recycling! We have 4 different trash cans for different types of wastes, and if you don't separate it correctly your trash is rejected!! They give it back to you so you have to separate it again. There's a thought I'm really scared of... I really don't want my trash handed back to me. They don't seem to have bars, at least as we know them. There are a few clubs in the bigger cities, but here in Hirakata-shi (or hirakata-shit as we've dubbed it) there really are no sources for fun, except for karaoke of course, they love it! I must have gone to karaoke about 8 times since I got here. It is fun, it's different from your regular karaoke back home and more like Lost in translation karaoke: small rooms just for you and your friends and waiters that come in and kneel to take your order. I'm not sure if they do this to not get in the way of you looking at the screen or if they actually have to. A lot of people here have to do things you would not believe.

Languagewise, Nihongo can look difficult, but believe me, it's worse than you think. Just kidding, speaking Japanese is not all that difficult once you figure out what level of respect your listener deserves, the longer the sentence, the more polite. As for reading and writing, I've already given up hope of ever learning. I can already read and write hiragana, one of the styles of writing, and I'm not doing bad in katakana, another style (confusing, you think?), but they've told me that these aren't any good, because then I have to memorize the separate kanji, which are the difficult symbols that represent 2 words each, so... I think I'll stick to the speaking.

But the most important thing is that I'm having a blast. It's being an amazing experience and I'm learning a lot about a new country, an amazing culture, a totally different way of life and, consequently, about myself.

There's a lot more to learn, I'll get back to you when I do.