Every time I come to Japan, it's a new experience. Sometimes I am trying to master toilets. Other times, I am conquering dressing rooms. Today though, it's a whole new world for me Today, I experienced something all together different...
Today, I was solicited for sex. Let me repeat that.
Today, I was solicited for sex.
Osaka is a whole new world. Whole new! It's not often that I'm mistaken for a common prostitute. Particularly not at an internet cafe. And definitely not while I'm absolutely struggling to figure out how to work the miso dispenser. "Sumimasen", I said. Never again will I ask for help. Never again will I nod vigorously when someone asks "you free time? free time?"
I thought he was asking if I was on vacation. I nodded quite vigorously to make myself understood. But no... that's not what he was asking. He followed up his broken English with a nod, bow and then an arm gesture and then "ok.
Apparently I met his standard for having sex. Apparently, I was breathing. Oh crap. At that very moment, I really wished I wasn't...
After the rather awkward exchange which must have been very disappointing for him, I took some photos of the internet cafe, the miso dispenser and the vending machines. You really need to know more about Japanese internet cafes to understand why having sex here might in some way be acceptable... though it hadn't occured to me until just that moment.
-------------
In the meantime and on an entirely different note, I started listing some of the 30 or so prints from toda. I started with the ones that you know, love don't really need photos of and will add the other gems when I get photos of them at home in the meantime, here is some of what's on the delivery truck to my hotel room.
Heather Ross, Rabbits and Racecars
- Cars on Spots Grey,
- Cars on Tracks Grey
- any interest in cars on yellow spots or tracks?
Kei Honeycomb
What other colours are you after? I'm meeting with the Kei rep again Monday for a larger order to be shipped. I just took what they had on hand for now for my luggage (oh how I love my big suitcase!)
Kei Daisy Dots
- AquaandGrey
- Ash and Grey
- want any more?
there are a whole bunch more coming to the shop when I get real phtos that I can't remember right now.. yuwa recipe prints, an awesome new kokka paris prints on linen, tram cars and planes, those wonderful butter elephants. some pink and green funky flowers.. I've still got three distributors to meet next week. my oh my osaka brings the goods.
I did an overnight hike up Mt Fuji, arriving at the top at dawn, and getting back down to the bottom again at around 10am. I'd gotten quite bad altitude sickness, so when I arrived at the bottom I was filthy, sick and exhausted.
ReplyDeleteAnd that as when the taxi driver tried to pimp me off to his fare. Fun times!
That is a pretty funny story! How did you get him to understand that you weren't a hooker!
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in some of the grey honeycomb if it's available.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
I would like elephants in any colour. I'm still kicking myself that those yellow elephant packs sold out! Have a great time too Amy
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha!! Obviously you take much more care of your appearance when travelling than I do. So, how DID you manage to make it clear to him that you weren't......
ReplyDeleteI feel the need to comment ..... but don't quite know what to say.
ReplyDeleteThat was too hysterical, thanks for the morning laugh!!
ReplyDeleteYes they say travel broadens the mind & horizons but well..it certainly gives lots of funny stories to tell!!
ReplyDeleteYuwa recipe prints..yes please and anything else suzuko.
I loved those yellow packs you had before too.
Safe travels Amy!
Holy crum lady! That is intense...
ReplyDeleteI hope the rest of your time goes better. (I lived in Taiwan for a year, and visited China... there's nothing quite like crazy times abroad). ;)
Haha, that is funny! But then again, hubby tells me that unless it is spelled out, every man thinks that every woman is ready for them at any given time. I dont really get that...
ReplyDeleteI hope you have fun for the rest of your trip and dont meet any more skeezy men...
Wow. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteI was propositioned from across a dark room in a backpacker hostel once with twelve other people all around happily snoring in their bunks but he never offered to pay me (good god!) and was quite shocked that I didn't find the whole situation the least bit tempting. ???? The things men get up to when they aren't supervised!!
Come to think of it, he was from Austr... never mind!
tee hee, at least you know you're hot!! Orange and green honeycomb dots please!
ReplyDeleteI have to ask... what were you wearing? ;-) Just kidding. That would be a first for me too, regardless of the country.
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious! Sorta... It happened to my sis-in-law when she was in South Korea teaching. Some of the men there were too upfront with want they wanted! She avoided most social occasions with the opposite sex!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I melt when I see any Kokko.