It's official. I'm going to Thailand. Next week.
I made my reservations today--went straight after school. I've been hitting my homie Al up for info. He's been there a few times. My roommate's been there too. Even the Japanese travel agent who booked me said he's been 10 times! Dang...I wonder if it was the cheap hookers that keep him going back (Oh!) Actually, I've met quite a few heads since I've been here who've been. They all said it's a good, and inexpensive trip. Gorgeous water and beaches, cultural sights, and great food. What more can you ask for on a vacation? It seems to be a staple of Asian travel, and I feel like I'm the only one 'round these parts who hasn't been.
I'm out of the "in-crowd." I'm like a "Thai virgin." But not for long.
So, I had a busy day. Classes ended early at JHS today, so the kids went to their sports activities. I raided the new gym and shot some ball around with boys, but got bored with them, and went on the other side to play volleyball with girls. They let me jump in on a scrimmage game and our team won. I served game point. It was a devastating victory. A lotta fun. Got real sweaty too. I goofed around in the gym til it was time for me to leave, then left.
On the way home, I decided I'd just save some time and train fare and just go straight downtown to the travel agency. On the subway there, I caught some young cat staring at me out the corner of my eye. People who stare really annoy me, so I have a tendency to return the favor. Dude was like 4 feet away from me, and I just turned directly toward him and stared at him expressionlessly until he averted his eyes elsewhere, obstinately blowing bubbles from my bubble gum the whole while. I continued to stare at him for a couple minutes until I reached my stop just to drive home the feeling of uncomfortableness.
I reached Sakae, hopped off and proceeded to Exit 16 which was about a 3 minute walk in the underground labyrinth-like station from the platform. I was strolling with my headphones on, almost to the exit, when I felt a tap on my soldier. I turned and looked. It was stare-down dude from the train. I looked at him like "What you need, bruh?" I didn't break my stride. For a hot second, I thought this cat was trying to bring me some beef or something for staring him down! Then I thought "No way." That would've been too funny. In the form of a question, he started saying something to me in Japanese about a camera. I looked at him and said "What?" in Japanese. He repeated himself, but I still didn't get the point. But I was kinda blown that this guy had followed me for at least a good 2 minutes from the train and a good ways through the unnderground station! I stopped walking, then he asked if "Japanese was okay," as if to see if I spoke the language. I told him it was okay, and to repeat himself once more. He said something I still couldn't tcatch, but it seemed like he was either trying to sell me a camera or take my picture. Since I've never seen Japanese street huslters, a quick process of elimination brought me to the conclusion that he was carrying a camera and wanted to take my picture. I looked at him like "Hell naw," but continuing in Japanese, I politely told him No, thanks. Upon hearing that, dude did an about-face and walked away in the opposite direction...What in the HECK was that about?? Dude follows me 2 minutes off the subway and asks to take my picture? I felt like he only followed me because I stared him down; it wasn't like he approached me off the bat when he first saw me. Although, I never felt threatened in any way, that was kinda creepy.
Moving on.
After I left the agency, I decided to walk to the nearby Fushimi district to do a little capoeira in Shiromizu Park. I found a little secluded area and started working on some moves. Our group is supposed to be going to Tokyo this weekend for a batizado and to play with our brother and sister schools in Tokyo and Yokohama, so I wanted to tighten up my moves before I go. It's so humid, I worked up a nice sweat after about 5 minutes of moving. After a while I noticed some rhythmic drumming sounds from another area in the park, so I picked up my bag and headed in the direction of the music. I finally reached a walking path area where a co-ed group of about 10 young-looking Japanese folk were playing congas and other African drums. I noticed one of the drums was painted red, black, and green and a couple of the drummers wore Sankofa cloth on their heads. Interesting.
I made eye contact and gave a nod to one of the male drummers. They had a little rhythm going, so I decided to continue working out right there near them, but not directly in their space. Their drum rhythms were different from capoeira style, but they were cool enough for me to ginga to. I started doing some moves and kicks to the rhythm and it felt pretty good. The drummers mostly ignored me, although a few of them kinda stopped and looked from time to time to see what I was doing. I know they musta been thinking "Where did this Black man come from? ..We start playing African music and Africans start showing up!" Ha. I continuing working out (with many rests) until about the time the drummers wrapped up their practice, then headed home. I was super sweaty, but glad I'd gotten some practice in.
On a dietary note, this recent smothering heat and humidity has stolen my appetite. I haven't cooked dinner in over a week. I keep promising myself that I'll cook for myself when I get home everyday, but I haven't yet. I've been getting through the days pretty well with just a light breakfast and schoollunch. I suppose if this keeps up, perhaps I'll be losing some wieight. Odd, I've never been one to really stop eating because of seasonal change, but this summer heat has been pretty crucial so far, and promises only to get worse as the official Japanese rainy season has yet to end. Doh. I suppose I'll get around to having dinner at home one of these days...
Ahh, 3 more days til summer vacation. "Summer" and "vacation"--those 2 words go nicely together.
Meanwhile, tropical islandry and SE Asian adventure awaits the "Black Foreigner." Out.
