Friday September 19, 2008
Normally, I start the weekend with my bread making class but because we had a colleague from UK(Chris) visiting so a couple of the IBM guys and I took him out for dinner and some Japanese drinking instead. It was his first time in Japan but because he was well traveled and genuinely interested in Japan, he was "low maintenance" and my Japanese colleagues were very happy to get to know him and host him. We went to a local place in Shibuya which is best described as an Izakaya(Japanese tapas bar) but with a European influence. I forgot to bring my camera so could not take pictures of the beautiful food but we had delicious Tori-Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), grilled Saba (Japanese Mackerel), perfectly peeled and seasoned tomatoes, beautiful vegetable tempura and some fresh sashimi. Chris enjoyed all the food and to the delight of my Japanese colleagues and me enjoyed the food and not once asked us "What THAT??" and showed any hesitancy. So then came the challenge of drinking Japanese Shochu.
Shochu is described many times as Japanese vodka, however, it only is about 25% alcohol by volume so believe its weaker than vodka and whiskey for that matter. Its made either from barley, rice or sweet potato. Nakadate-san choose a sweet potato variety from Kyushu(which is the home of Shochu) and the 3 guys enjoyed it while I drank reishi (cold Japanese sake). My Japanese colleagues were amazed at Chris as he drank it straight up with no ice or with a chaser. They were even more amazed as while they were feeling the effects of alcohol (including myself but I was drinking sake which is weaker!), Chris was just fine!
Saturday September 20
Ark and Adopting a Dog
Animal Rescue Kansai ARK (http://www.arkbark.net/)is an animal rescue organization created and run by Elizabeth who is British. Its based out of Osaka and she is very well known for rescuing and re-homing dogs, cats and sometime other animals such as rabbits, birds and even a fox! She started the organization after seeing and learning about the horrendous treatment of animals who are strays or get abandoned in Japan.
In Japan, there seems to be a dog boon, where everyone has a purebred designer dog. Most of them are poodles, chihuahuas and terriers but occasionally you see labradors. What you don't see are many mixed breeds. As a matter of fact, I have not seen one in Tokyo yet! I've learned that any stray dogs are immediately taken away and put to sleep in Japan. As strays are usually mixed breed dogs they almost always end up in the gas chamber. In addition, most Japanese buy dogs from pet shops or breeders. However, the regulation of breeders in Japan is very lax to say the least.
Cats also have a tough life. You see many stray cats in Japan because apparently they get abandoned alot. They are harder to catch and since many aren't fixed, its common to see stray kittens. There was an article in the Japan times that said that most stray cats only live until about 8 years old.
ARK rescues abandoned dogs and cats, treats them on any diseases they might have acquired and provides for emotional care so that the animals can be re-homed. I plan on adopting a large mixed breed dog to take home to California. Unfortunately, I cannot have a large dog in my apartment so will sponsor one by donating a monthly fee, and when my assignment is up, take he/she home to California with me along with Skipper.
While browsing through Ark's website, to download the sponsorship papers, I noticed a news bulletin stating that ARK was looking for people to adopt dogs that were just rescued from a puppy mill. Apparently, some crazy guy was going to start a puppy mill, bought purebred female puppies, but got in a car accident and died so the dogs were left to die in their cages. All were covered with feces and had claws that were curled due to being locked in a cage. Many were puppies and included a Westie puppy that ARK believes is only about 9months old. Once I read this, I knew I had to save that Westie! So now, I'm starting the paperwork to adopt the Westie puppy. Although Skipper is 14.5 years old he is very good with dogs and I know he'll be a good father to the puppy. The paperwork is intensive so not sure if it will happen, but if it does, I'll have 3 dogs with me when I go back to California. Professor is going to be SO HAPPY!
The Westie I'm Planning to Adopt
Sunday September 21, 2008
Rain, Mosquitoes and Barbecues
The services team of IBM was planning a barbecue today but it was iffy as a typhoon was expected to hit Tokyo! However, the typhoon took a turn and went out to sea so they decided to have it. As I thought it was going to be canceled I had made plans in the morning and told them I'll be there around 2pm. It was a great morning as the sun was finally out after it what seemed like one week of rain and clouds. The barbecue was going to be held at ShinKiba park which is close to Tokyo Disneyland. When I left Tokyo Station the sun was out but by the time I arrived at ShinKiba station, the clouds came out and rain! So by the time I got to the barbecue, it was pouring rain. I'm glad I went though as I met my colleagues family and it was so nice to see them with their kids and enjoy family time. Because of the pouring rain, the barbecue was shortened and fortunately for me, Stephen offered to drive me home to Tokyo. During the drive I got to know his wife and fortunately, she had a better sense of direction than Stephen so we made it back to Tokyo safely albeit wet.
Since I was wet and also had about 20 mosquito bites – the mosquitoes were extremely aggressive during the short periods when the rain stopped, I decided to take the rest of the evening easy.
Ohtani-san (the host) and son during the barbecue
The Cheys Dogs at the barbecue
Monday September 22
This weekend is sorta of a 3 day weekend as we have Tuesday the 23rd off for Fall Equinox. I actually had a very busy day at work where my day started at 730am and went until about 8pm. The morning was spent at internal meetings but the rest of the day was spent meeting NHK clients with Chris. After several successful meetings with NHK it was time to have dinner with some folks from NHK.
NHK selected the restaurant and it was a Sukiyaki style traditional Japanese restaurant in Toranomon. Because it was traditional Japanese, Chris was able to experience sitting on a tatami (fortunately, there was a whole in the floor so we did not have to sit Japanese style) and enjoy a traditional 6 course meal. Because the matsutake mushroom is in season, many of the dishes had the mushroom
as a highlight. Matsutake is a rare and expensive! mushroom that is very fragrant and is native to Japan. In addition, we had our own barbecue set where we each cooked Japanese Wagyu beef which of course was the highlight. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera again so could not take a picture of the fantastic meal we had.
And then there was the drinking. As usual, it started with beer ( I had oolong tea because 1: I was suffering from a sore throat and b: don't like beer), then reishu – cold sake, then hot sake and finally shochu. Everyone was feeling the effects of alcohol except for Chris and me. I was pacing myself and using the oolong tea as a chaser, only had cold sake and a shot of shochu on ice. I have to say, Chris amazed me as he had the beer, cold sake, hot sake, chochu straight up and even tried the chochu mixed with hot water – BUT I did notice he paced himself. He said he had alot of practice from drinking Scotch. Well, my Japanese colleagues were very happy at the end of the dinner, wanted to drink more with Chris and they like him alot but we said our goodbyes and agreed to have the next dinner in Scotland with some Scotch tastings.
Tuesday September 23
Because I was feeling run down, I planned to do NOTHING today as its a holiday. However after about a couple of hours of watching TV and seeing the sunny skies outside, decided to go for a long walk and practice my photography. Since I have yet to discover Meguru, I decided go there and end the walk at Yebisu Gardens.
The Institute of Nature Study National Science Museum
While walking towards Meguro station, I ran into a Nature Study museum that I never heard of. Its basically a preserved park in the middle of Shirokanedai and home to many indigenous plants of Japan. I decided to check out and was very happy I did and it was a lush, peaceful and beautiful park, but with alot of mosquitoes!
The Entrance to the Park
A Fall Flower about to Bloom ( I could not read the Japanese so not sure what it is)
Japanese Maple Tree
The Pond in the Park ( I got 3 huge mosquito bites on my face while walking around the park)
They say fall is coming when this flower blooms. I don't know what it is called in English but in Japanese its Higanbana.
Meguro-Dori
After the park, I continued up Meguro-dori and see several couples discretely enter a colorful building. I thought it was a Pachinko parlour but after getting close to it realized its a Love Hotel!
However, Meguro-dori is known for its unique furniture stores. I found some very interesting furniture and enjoyed the window shopping. The prices varied – everything I liked was super expensive, but also found that one can get casual furniture for a good price.
This store had some great unique furniture and accessories
Parasite Museum
Just before I was to turn left on Meguro-dori, I saw a sign that said Parasite Museum. I debated going in as I had planned to go to lunch but could not resist my curiousity so went inside. Well….., lets put it this way, I lost my appetite and will never eat cheap raw fish again. Warning for those in the States who love spicy tuna roll – its made with cheap tuna and some crazy things can grow in cheap raw tuna!
Parasite that was living in a human being's intestine
I don't know what this is but many people were photographing it and studying it
Yebisu Garden Place
After getting totally grossed out, I made my way to Yebisu Garden place where I dropped all plans to have lunch and just enjoy the flowers at Yebisu for a bit, then take the subway home to relax, watch some romance movies to get the parasite images out of my head, and order some take out. By the way, the Sapporo Beer Museum is located in Yebisu Garden Place for you beer lovers!
Flowers in full bloom at Yebisu