My 10th post!
花見 (hanami), is the traditional Japanese flower viewing which takes place every year when the cherry blossoms, 桜 (sakura), bloom. Because of this, there was a Japanese culture arrangement taking place at the University Museum of Cultural History today. I got an sms from my friend Ikuko asking me if I wanted to go with her. Since I was already going with Eirik and some friends, we decided to meet each other there. We also ran into Jana and Jan, one of the owners of Neo Tokyo, who came with his wife.
Today it was 30°C, so it was really hot inside the museum with so many people. Nevertheless, I thought it was worth it. There were some free Japanese snacks, rice crackers and pocky, and they served green tea. I managed to get the last
I also got to try origami, paper folding. It was so much fun! I spoke Japanese with the cutest Japanese guy. He was one of the people teaching origami there. (Eirik liked him too, so it's OK. ;P) I asked him how to make a paper shuriken (throwing star), which he wasn't entirely sure of himself.
Helene: Muzukashii desu ne? (Hard, isn't it?)
Japanese guy: ...! Nihongo dekiru? (Can you speak Japanese?)
Helene: Hai, benkiyoushimasu. (Yes, I study (Japanese).)
Japanese guy: Aa, sugoi! (Oh, great!)
After that the rest if the conversation went almost entirely in Japanese. I told him that I'd studied Japanese after school for almost two years. He explained that it's usually older people who know how to do origami, younger people often don't. "Even for Japanese, it's quite hard, see. :)" Still, he managed to figure it out, and I got a blue shuriken. Yay! Also, I made two chou (butterflies), a neko (cat), a kabuto (helmet) and a crane. I understood almost everything he said, so I was quite pleased with myself! ^^ Lots of "Konno kanji de..." (Like this...) "Konno pokketo no naka..." (Inside this pocket) and some "Eetoo... Chyotto matte kudasai..." (Uuum... please wait a bit...) The times I didn't understand, I usually understood by watching what he did. (I think I'll survive in Japan!) He was a bit shy, but really friendly. So cu~te! I thanked him for teaching me, bowing and saying "Arigatou gozaimashita!" (Thank you so much!) An older Japanese man standing by gave me a nod, smiling. Aawww!
I talked to a Japanese girl at the origami table too. I told her about my exchange to Kagoshima, to which she replied "Oh! Kagoshima's really hot, but it's a very nice place!" ...and I can barely survive 30°C... ^^; I told her that I'm interested in Japanese manga and anime, so she asked me what kind of manga I read.
Helene: "Ettoo... Ichiban suki na manga wa... Vampire Knight desu." (Uum... My favourite manga is... Vampire Knight.)
Japanese girl: Eeh, Vampire Knight? Ah, Zero wa kakko ii desu nee! (Vampire Knight? Ah, Zero's cool, isn't he!)
Helene: Sou desu ne! (Isn't he!)
OMG! That was so cool! She knew Vampire Knight! It's one of the mangas I've been reading on the internet lately, and I love it! Zero is one of my favourite characters, and I thought it was quite awesome that she liked him too. (Almost like when I met the Chinese student who also thought Shikamaru and Temari (characters from "Naruto") should be a pair. They're made of win.) She said that the animated TV-series is currently airing in Japan. I watch the episodes online. Oh, the joy. <3>With Eirik and Ikuko watching I even got to try on a yukata (like a light kimono, sometimes worn in the summer and after bathing). The lady helping me asked which one I'd like to try.
Eirik: Kawaii mono! (Something cute!)
Ikuko: *laughing* kawaii mono...
I got to try on a really nice and cute-looking blue yukata with pink flowers on it and a red obi (belt). Eirik took some pictures with his cellphone. Maybe I can upload them here if I get them. I looked like a doll according to Ikuko. Just take her word for it, will you? I'm extremely cute.
Afterwards I went to Mikaku with Eirik, Sensei, Heika-sama and some other people to eat. They serve really good food! I ate tempura, and stole some of Eirik's soba (noodles made from buckwheat flour). Mmmm~
It's been a nice day.
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