Long Weekend

This past weekend was a long one here and to top it off we have this Thursday off as well. Monday was Respect for the Aged Day and Thursday is the Fall Equinox. I love being in a Shinto country :)

I started my weekend off by having my new bed delivered and assembled by the kind people from Nitori. The guy even asked how I wanted it positioned and one of the options I was asked about was whether I wanted it smack in the middle of the room. Now I know that I am a weird foreigner but no, no I do not want it in the middle of the room. And yes I want the headboard against the wall, not the foot board.

On Sunday I headed into Tokyo in search of some elusive art supplies, namely canvas and paint. I can't find them anywhere nearby! I'm sure they exist here but I'll be damned if I knew where! So I got on a train and headed for Shibuya district. I ended up having a rather lovely conversation with a middle aged man. When he found out I was from Canada he asked if Owen Sound had snow yet. Of all the places in Canada, the one he knows is Owen Sound! When I told him I was from Ottawa he asked if it was in BC - I cried a little inside. At least he had never heard of Toronto either, or for that matter, Ontario. He then asked if I eat maple syrup everyday. I though of Elizabeth :)

Once I got to Shibuya I stumbled across a festival. I have no idea what the festival was but I've dubbed it the "Pants are Optional Festival". I didn't get any great shots because I didn't want to look like a pervert but man it was tempting! A lot of the men were wearing really bright thongs. A good time was had by all.

I managed to find a new purse and a hair pin from a Malasian shop so that made me really happy and I found my art supplies and was given the biggest bag you have ever seen. I felt a little silly on the train ride home but at least I found what I was looking for. The selection wasn't great but they had what I wanted so all in all it was a successful trip into the big city.

That evening I headed over to Isesaki to have dinner with some fellow JETs. We had stuffed mushroom caps, homemade pumpkin soup, beef stroganoff and homemade funnel cake. It was delicious! Unfortunately I got a crazy headache and had to leave before the funnel cake. I was so disappointed because I had been looking forward to it all week. Thankfully I was given a rain cheque that I plan on cashing in the near future :)

To cap off my weekend I marathoned some Doctor Who. I think I can safely say that I am obsessed.