Two days ago I learned the hard way that talking to strangers=dangerous.

Again, I might add, since it's been established that this has happened already, but what can I say? I am definitely a slow learner. After this instance, however, I think I know better.

So what happened? First off, I know I'm WAY behind in Japan updates, and if I get enough time, I plan to remedy that as soon as possible, but for now, I'll give you the most recent crazy story--(And of course, I still need to write about this guy):

   It's coming, I promise.

But anyway, story time: last Saturday evening I'd come back from an art class field trip in Nara (known for its tame deer, not that we had time to visit them, unfortunately), and after arriving at my station, I happened to spot some Calpis (say it out loud and it sounds like 'Cow piss', which is good for freaked-out looks) sitting in the vending machine.

                                                             But not just any Calpis.

There was a flavor I'd discovered just the day before--and even though Google refuses to give me any images, its name is Gun Gun Gurt Calpis (that's how awesomely Japanese it is), and it tastes like liquid ambrosia. I'm not kidding, the stuff is practically mind-blowing, it's so delicious. I saw it in the machine and absolutely had to have some...but alas, I was 10 yen short.

I could swear that I always have these things in my wallet, except for when, you know, I actually desperately need them to buy liquid ambrosia.

I was heartbroken, and I was contemplating heading home with tears in my eyes when suddenly...a bike dude who happened to be nearby fished around in his pocket and offered me his 10 yen. I bought my drink with it, and the world's balance and my happiness were immediately restored. But I should explain; this dude was hanging out by the vending machine before I happened to stroll up to it, a young high school or college student-age Japanese guy with dyed blonde hair (Yankee style), a cute face, a cigarette in his mouth, and a bicycle.

We ended up talking after the money-lending incident, and that's when things started to get interesting:"Where are you from?" he'd asked. "Your Japanese is really good," "Oh no it isn't," I demurred. "I'm an exchange student from America."--the usual remarks, my usual answers, nothing out of the ordinary.

"Do you live nearby?" he'd pressed, after I told him I'm an Osaka resident even though my school is in Kyoto. And without thinking, I told him I lived nearby, right in that town, in fact. He offered me a ride. I stupidly accepted, thinking, "Why not? It's a 10-15 minute walk on foot, and this is nice of him,"

MISTAKE.

Within the first 5 minutes, he asked me if I'd ever been to the park, and if I wouldn't mind going with him now. I declined immediately, with a hasty, "My host family will get worried if I don't come home right away, so it's best if we do that instead," and he wheeled his bike around and headed down my street without complaints. I was relieved. At least up until he repositioned my hand across his torso (up to that point then I'd been grasping the side of his shirt just enough so that I wouldn't lose my balance), and when he started to thread his fingers through mine, asking if he could hold my hand and then boldly taking the initiative, I FREAKED OUT and told him to stop.

But I didn't get off the damned bike. So it continues.

He asked, somewhere in our conversation, if I had a boyfriend. Me being too stupid to lie, I said I didn't, and it turns out that he didn't have a girlfriend either. Yankee biker was a university student (a first year), and he asked me a few more things about myself before returning to compare our skin tones ("Black people's hands are so different, it's amazing!"), and if I had a cell phone so we could exchange numbers. Again, I was too stupid to lie, and when he dropped me off in front of my house, with my heart thudding in pre-hyperventilation OMG-I-need-to-get-away-from-this-guy mode, he had me copy down his e-mail address...playing with my braids--extensively-the entire time. Yes. Also, right before I dashed into my house, he motioned me over with his hand outstretched. So I shook it.

And then he made a 'come hither' guesture with a huge smile on his face, and when I asked what he wanted, the boy had the NERVE to purse his lips at me for a kiss...which I totally laughed off, saying, "LOL I DON'T KNOW YOU, GUY!" and he finally biked away into the darkness with at 'Mata ne!'

So that was my adventure, and now I know better...but boy, do I know how to attract them weird dudes.

 It's been a long, long time since my last photoblog. I'm always walking around and taking pictures like a touristy paparazzi, but because my laptop fails I haven't been able to upload any of the ones I've taken so far, which pains my soul. 

Luckily though, though, my Japanese cell phone is more than capable of taking pics--and even though it's only 2 MP, the colors are way more vivid than anything my 6 MP Nikon can do (which confuses me and pains my soul even more--I desperately need to buy a new camera). The pictures are pretty small, but I think they capture a lot of what I've seen and been through so far. I'd consider it the condensed version of everything I've taken (there is LOT of pics, and the numbers are steadily climbing), but blogging in Japan without any pictures for visual aid...well, that's just boring. So without further ado, here they are!

I'll confess that I totally gave in and bought this within the 3rd week, and it's just as addictive as the rest of the Pokemon games--plus the graphics are 3D-ish and awesome! Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of dialogue I don't understand (I both love and hate that there's no kanji--Chinese characters--whatsoever in this game), but it's Pokemon, and no language barrier can stop the fun of catching 'em all. Also, I finally get my obnoxious nerd bragging rights (I got it first! In Japan! HA!), so I am content. :)

Yes, this is an unsuspecting picture of schoolchildren on a train, and no, I'm not a pedophile! lol

Up! It's not coming here until December, and I find it hilarious that the Japanese title is so long compared to the US one--it says something like, 'Old man Carl and his Flying House'.

I'm passionately in love with nonsensical Engrish, so I've come to the right place!

This is in my neighborhood! The sign says 'Kiken'-Danger, but I'm not sure what it's warning against. Herds of rampaging Snorlax, perhaps?

An old-fashioned Japanese stop sign. I think it's lovely.  

A strange black girl in kimono. She looks familiar...

More little kid pics! This was on Jidai Matsuri, a cultural parade of all the historical periods in Japan, and it the costumes were gorgeous.

The bottom picture is the famous Torii gate in Miyajima.

Japan has a Chinatown (in Kobe), and it's amazing!

A standard tourist shop in Miyajima--why must everything cost so much???

A shishi--the guardian of temples.

It's-a-me! :)

See this face? It's what the Japanese guys line up for! lol

I'll smile next time--this definitely isn't my last time doing purikura!

And last but not least...this boy.

More about him later.

Till next blog!