Tea Things

I went to school just after 11 with James this morning, where we fretted over accommodation, though I could only stay a little while. We both went for lunch (ramen), and met Brendan there, before I went off to my tea ceremony. I think James has booked accommodation for most places now, apart from two nights, which we are going to try to sort out tomorrow. Then we will have the whole thing planned and ready to execute.

Tea was good fun. I think we got a lot more done than usual, though possibly it was because we had more time. I stayed for three hours today and I was on my own as Oh-san has gone home to Taiwan for a few weeks. (Supposedly she is so bored at home that she phones the reception here everyday to talk to one of the ladies!) We first did a cut-down version of the ceremony that can be done at a table with a kettle. That way I can do it in England without too much hassle and people will not have to sit on the floor. Then we did the usual full ceremony, complete with room admiring. In the middle, we had a break, as my knees were really starting to ache. She got out a million different tea things and asked me which ones I liked the best. She then wrapped these up in a bag and gave them to me! Some of them are quite expensive, i.e. £50. I think she is either completely mad or extremely generous, though she said she never used any of them. It is a secret though, since she obviously has not given any of the girls anything. So now, I can perform the whole thing at home. I just need to get some tea and a ladle-esque thing, since she’s given me a few bowls, a couple of tea pots, a ladle-rest, a little cloth, the whole bag of eating tools (including an ivory eating stick), etc. She took a few photos of me at her house before I left!

I went off to Linden Hall afterwards. I was with Ciarán and Brendan today, but since it was the last day, and there were only about five children (Momoko and Sakura from the 1st year, and Mariko, Mayu and Ryo for the 2nd year), we took them outside and played touch-rugby, and then baseball with them. We also got Liz out to play, so it was not any work at all. In fact, it was quite fun! I got the bus back on my own: it is very embarrassing commandeering a whole bus by oneself.

We went out tonight, to Tenjin for a drink. I was just leaving when Rushen appeared back at Cambridge House with his parents, and his girlfriend Akiko. Thus, instead of having to get the train, I got a lift instead. We met Ciarán, Brendan and Nami, James and his new-found friend Hei, in a bar called the Lockup. It is a strange underground, prison-themed place, where you are handcuffed to the waitress as she leads you to your cell, complete with bars on the sliding door. Halfway through your stay, they cut most of the lights, and start playing a strange "invasion" soundtrack. Lights flash, and the waiters come around suddenly rattle the cell doors. One even burst in with a giant, rubber mallet making threatening gestures, before hitting the ground a couple of times and running off. Brendan, at one point, was acting all calm that he wasn't shocked, until the next noise happened and he let out a scream like a girl.

Afterwards, we went on to Fubar, where Katherine works, though not tonight, for some more drinks. We mostly sat around, drinking and talking, before Akiko gave Rushen and I a lift home. I had made her promise earlier that she would, so that I didn't have to worry about a taxi home.