The classes at Kaneda Minami Chu Gakko (Kaneda South Junior High School) were long, but easy. Everybody was nice to me. I was even taken home early.
That thing on my face? That's a smile.
My Japanese female friend Naoko comes over at 6PM to drive me to a restaurant owned by two women in my night school English class I teach on Monday's. These women must be in their 70's... I mean, they look old - which isn't much to go on, except that the Japanese really age well. Heck - you should see a photo of me in 2011. I don't look like someone who will be 47 this year. I can pass for 45.
Anyhow.... the ladies are waiting just inside the doorway of their restaurant clad in their best kimono - and they look fantastic. Young... like they are in their 60's!
They have closed the restaurant to the public for the evening - just so they could serve me (and Naoko - who, aside from being a super nice woman who had no interest in me sexually, was a decent enough English/Japanese translator).
The ladies made their son cook for us - and pretty much had him make everything on the menu. Good. I may be tired and cranky, but I'm also very hungry. Especially when the food is free.
Because of who I am (open), I told these three women all about my personal life. I asked them if they thought I should start dating Japanese women - and without a moment's hesitation, all three said "Hai!" (Yes) Gan batte, kudasai (Do your best!). Naoko, ever the smart one, said: "But not me - we are just friends."
I love her for her friendship and honesty.
So... since we're all friends with food benefits, I decided to ask a question.
I wanted to know their feelings or experiences about World War II. To their credit, these old birds did not really shy away from the question, but noted that they did not really know all that much about it.
How can you not know, I asked.
Simple. They are from inaka (the rural country) and relied on the radio (IE propaganda) for or their information - which they quickly realized wasn't all there was to know about the war.
One of the ladies, however, noted that she liked the Americans - she had been a nurse and had looked after some of the downed fliers, saying that they treated her very well.
Apparently I had guessed reasonably well about their ages.
We snap some photos after our meal - with a bit of sake and beer - and I go home promising to do this again.
Ladies... free food - I'm there.
Excellent company? I'll pay my own way.
I go home and watch television until midnight.
Guess what? I still don't fall asleep. I suppose I didn't try hard enough to get drunk.
Trust me... it takes a lot to get me drunk - and I had no intention of driving this restaurant into bankruptcy. I'd rather be sober and awake.
Somewhere paying my own way,
Andrew Joseph
Today's blog title is by the great Arlo Guthrie: THISISTHENAMEOFTHEBLOG.
PS: The whiteness of the ladies' face in the photo was not caused by the flash. They both had a pale complexion unlike most Japanese. It's not a criticism - just an observation.
PPS: I have no idea what their names are. That's why this was such a shameful blog entry. But it was a very nice restaurant!
PPPS: Wait eight hours (this time for sure) for a blog with a link you won't want to miss.
