week # san

In Japan, there is a process for everything and which everyone, without fail and seemingly without complaint, follows -- examples of such types of processes range from the manner in which everyone wraps up his or her umbrella before entering a store to taking out one's garbage where literally every other day of the week is designated for a different type of trash although the first and third Friday of the month is different from the second and fourth Friday. Seriously.

Today I experienced the process for buying a new cell phone. Contrary to popular belief, "cash is king" is not a respected and established philosophy in all parts of the world. In Japan for example, in order to sign up for a cell phone plan one must present a variety of documents and cards that together add up to be deemed sufficient by the powers that be, sort of like getting points for different forms of ID when first applying for a drivers license. Today, despite credit card in hand, I was sent away cell phone-less for lack of sufficient documents with a slap on the wrist of capitalism. In my case, in order to purchase said product and sign up for said service, I was required to complete the following process: step one - obtain visa from Japanese consulate in San Francisco; step two - register as an "alien" in the local city hall; step three - wait two weeks and pick up alien card; step four - bring alien card and credit card to cell phone provider and attempt to explain to non-English speaking representatives that I would please please please like to purchase an iphone; step five - pay. At least, I am hoping that this will be the last step!

Another process involves enrolling one's child in nursery school but I won't bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, it is no small task although we are happy to report that Chloe-chan did attend her first ever all-Japanese day care session yesterday. Yay Chloe!

We had the pleasure of witnessing a local festival (or matsuri) last weekend first from our own kitchen window as the procession passed by and then at the local shrine accompanied by many of our neighbors. As a ritual from Japan's shinto religion, the local shrine's deity is carried through the town accompanied by drum music and then returned to the shrine. Our neighbor Kyoshi explained that sometimes two different processions carrying different deities will cross paths and stage a battle. He said quite often the battles, although staged, are also real. Things are not what they seem, er actually maybe they are. The scene at the shrine was reminiscent of a fair with cotton candy and toys and games, although Japanese style of course so Nick enjoyed the yakitori (grilled meat on skewers) and takoyaki (octopus dumplngs) while I stuck with soba noodles and Chloe enjoyed an old-fashioned chocolate covered banana.

Finally, I've learned that beer promising to be "brewed for good times" and "a cheerful mind" may actually be malt liquor in disquise and will create a not so cheerful morning hangover.

Some pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/jessie.mussallem/TokyoWeekSan#slideshow/5395279389189104882