Jonas's travels: Sapporo, November
Atrocious spelling ahead!
Since I use a laptop (weird keyboard layout and really small keys) with Japanese keyboard layout (even weirder than normal), many typing mistakes are made. If you feel the need to impress me with your proof reading skills, feel free to send e-mails to the address printed further down.
Work work work (20051101)
To show that I am still doing some work, I snapped a picture at
todays seminar. For the first time since I arrived I actually
understood most of todays seminar. This however has little to do with
my infinitesimal improvements regarding Japanese and much to do with
the fact that all presentations today were held in English.
Nemesis (20051101)
The "dryer" here has turned into my eternal nemesis. I manage to
use the related washing machine to get my clothes clean. They are
however, not unexpectedly, quite wet afterwards. This is where I
thought to use the dryer. The amount of cooperation from the machine
is less than expected, though. It makes my clothes hot (very hot,
actually), but not dry... I have tried most combinations of button
pushing, waiting for enormous amounts of time etc. Nothing makes any
difference, every time it is the same, the clothes are hot and
wet. This is why my room often looks like in the last picture. And I
just like the sign about "please don't ever press the button ...".
Kevin Costner (20051101)
Today I topped of the successful laundry with going to a
restaurant in my shorts (the only dry clothes I had) and then watching
Kevin Costner speak Japanese. After maybe 30 minutes it turned out to be
The Postman, which I saw a very long time ago and have only vague
memories of (mostly that it was rather boring and enormously
long...). That everyone now seemed to be speaking Japanese didn't
really make it more enjoyable for me. Oh, and I managed to break bike
number 2 today.
Birthday presents (20051102)
My birthday passed quite unnoticed in Sweden, the celebrations
consisting only of e-mails, totaling 3, one of which arrived after
the actual birthday had passed. This was however compensated by the
people around here surprising me with birthday presents. First out a
cup that is quite a contrast to the ones I had been using
previously. This present arrived on my actual birthday, and was a gift
from one of the people living in the same building as me. Today I also
received a card holder from people at my research lab. This is
excellent, since my wallet is already broken and patched up with tape
(see October), and also another
chance to show off my cool cash cards.
Undefeated Scrabble Champion (20051102)
At todays language practice we played Scrabble again. History
repeated itself.
Mail (20051103)
I have been advised to register with the Swedish embassy, so if
there is an earthquake and I die, they can call Sweden and let them
know. This doesn't really seem to help me very much, but I
decided to do it anyway. First I needed to buy some refills for my
pen. With my limited knowledge of foreign languages, it almost seemed
like these were supposed to smell like fruits. It turns out that
indeed now my pen smells like grapes. To round of the shopping I
picked up some envelopes in the most discreet color available and then
sent my important documents to the embassy.
New slippers (20051103)
I bought a new pair of slippers today at the 100 Yen shop. The
ones I had before are way too warm. Although not as hot as Tokyo in
August, it is always very warm here.
More trees (20051103)
Today is Culture Day, so all my classes and similar things are
canceled. I went to Nakajima koen today, since people have been
recommending it to me and I live only 5 minutes away. It was nice, but
also full of flies and a slight rain. All in all, it was very much
like home, with colorful trees, rain, rune stones etc.
Food (20051103)
There is a "French" restaurant 20 meters from where I live. Today I
went there for lunch, since the lunch prices are very reasonable. The
food was excellent, and cheap.
Dinner (20051103)
Today being a holiday I had nothing to do really, and being lazy
I didn't feel like studying Japanese. I tried stargzing, but
it was cloudy, so instead I tried to play badminton. This, however, is not so much fun
when you are alone, I found out. Luckily, people noticed this sad
performance and invited me along for dinner. For some reason, people
here seem to think I only photograph weird things, so it was suggested
that I wear the serving pan made of stone on my head for the
photo (which would be considered weird even in Japan). Since food was still frying in it, I declined, pointing out
that as a Swede, I am not used to hot temperatures.
Weird store (20051103)
The dinner was served in the restaurant part of a shopping
mall. On the way out I took pictures in a store with many weird things
for sale. Who would want to sleep on something that looks like a
skinned panda, for instance? But they did have spoons and cups with
the Swedish flag, and quite cool ski masks. And clothes for "supanky"
girls... Indeed, "the spiritual world is peaceful with love that it is
woven and which is made".
Sleep deprivation (20051104)
Today I found the people that do sports in my building. They beat
the crap out of me in badminton, not so good for my ego (though I suck
at most sports, so no big surprise). I regained some self esteem by
playing some Scrabble. As can be seen from the score card, Mr. Pigeon
did indeed slide in for a quite comfortable win. After this I was sort
of in a hurry to see an acquaintance DJ at a club nearby. When I
arrived he was just finished with his part... great. At least I got to
talk to him and a lot of other people. I still have no clue to
Japanese society, I noticed... early in the evening people poking me
and another guy in stomach. I got thumbs up, he didn't... considering
my general fitness, I have no idea what this meant. It was followed by
people running their fingers through his, my and my DJ friend's
hair. Again, a win for Sweden, if I understood correctly. At least
people were running their fingers through my hair many at a time for
many minutes. I arrived back in my room at around 8 in the morning and
was rudely awakened 2 hours later. Construction workers in Japan work
also on Saturdays, which mad it hard to sleep. I decided to head of to
a Japanese class instead, though not in tip top condition mentally.
Japanese (20051105)
These are some of the people I spoke to at the Japanese
course. Two guys from Taiwan and one of the volunteer teachers.
Swedish food (20051105)
Today I found Swedish cookies in the local super market. Baked in
Sweden, so they taste just like at home.
Birthday party (20051105)
Today one of my colleagues had a birthday party. There were a lot
of people (although the apartment was big for a Japanese apartment, it
was still quite crowded) and a lot of food. Having made plans for
early Sunday meetings, I gave up early and was home already by 2 in
the morning.
Party things (20051105)
In Japan you can buy fake breasts that grow bigger if you squeeze
them.
Address (20051106)
This is my address. If you would like to send me snail mail, this is where to
send it. Most people would probably also have to add "Japan" after the
postal number ("062-0906").
Address in utf-8:
０６２ー０９０６ Japan
札幌市 豊平区
豊平 六条
６丁目
５番３５
３１１号
Jonas Sjobergh 様
Colder than Sweden? (20051107)
When I describe the usual weather in Stockholm, especially the
winter temperatures, people here always say that Sapporo is colder. So
far, I seriously doubt it. I usually walk around in T-shirt and
sometimes shorts. Other people do it too, which this girl will have to
represent (since people keep moving so fast that I rarely have time to
pull forth my camera, but she had to wait for a green light). Other
people wear less, which would be considered remarkable in Sweden in November.
TV (20051107)
This is what normal Japanese TV shows look like. I don't
understand so much of what is happening in the shows, but this was
some sort of magic trick.
Work work work (20051108)
This week I have two presentations, one of which was today. The
response seems less than enthusiastic.
Snow (20051109)
Today the first snow came. As usual, it is too hot here in Japan, so
it melted right away. This meant some very weat shoes after riding the
bicycle to Hokudai.
Signs (20051109)
If you want to visit me, I live near the "usedcrothing"
store.
Swedish food (20051109)
I received some Swedish food from home (mostly candy, but if it's
edible, it's food by my definition), which I brought to todays language
practice. And we also played some Scrabble, with unsurprising outcome.
Christmas trees (20051110)
Today was a slow day on the weird photos front, consisting mostly of
going to different language classes to learn how to say "conceptual
space" in Japanese. I did see these Christmas trees with interesting
covers, though.
Some more work (20051111)
Today at the seminar, someone is browsing Slashdot, and not even the Japanese
version. Then people were offering hot pumpkin filled with mint
tasting ice cream, which they had seen in a manga. The taste is pretty
much as you would imagine.
Welcome party (20051111)
Today there was a welcome party for me and the other new student
in the lab. As usual in Japan, there were enormous amounts of food and
unlimited drinks. Then the party continued at another place with just
a little food and another two hours of unlimited drinks. Luckily,
drinks in Japan are quite weak. Unlimited drinking for 10 Euro...
No Scrabble (20051111)
Being busy with the welcome party, I did not have time to attend
the Friday evening Japanese practice, where we usually play Scrabble.
Luckily, they did not play Scrabble today, so I am still the reigning
champion.
Commercial (20051112)
I like this picture, and I suspect I know what the commercial is for,
at least in general terms.
Trees again (20051112)
Today I was meeting a guy for some language exchange at
13.00. Unfortunately, being well organized and as smooth as usual, I had put it down as 12.00 in my calendar, and
thus spent some time photographing trees while waiting around.
Otaru (20051112)
Today I went to Otaru, which is another city near Sapporo. There
I spent some time walking in the mountains with a Japanese
mountaineer. The view was very nice, but since it was snowing a
little, I used a long sleeved shirt, totally ruining my reputation as
the crazy Swedish guy who never feels cold.
Food (20051112)
This is some sort of sticky rice on a stick, covered in sesame
seeds, I think.
More food (20051112)
We ate yakiniku today, which was very nice, though there was (as
is usually the case in Japan), too much food. Take a look at the
onigiri (rice ball) for instance, it is huge. There was quite a lot
left when we gave up. Since our table was the only one with flames
almost reaching the ceiling, I suspect we were either eating more
exciting food than the other guests, or we are simply more talented
when it comes to spectacular cooking.
Enormous food (20051112)
I found a shop selling enormous cabbages for 100 yen (less than
one Euro), so I bought one. It's always good to have an enormous
cabbage, right? It turns out to be a bit unpractical, though. It
didn't really fit in the bicycle basket, nor in the refrigerator. And
what I'm supposed to do with it, I don't know.
Sights (20051112)
Otaru is famous for seafood and glass works.
Toilets (20051112)
At the university they have a really cyber toilet, automatic in many
ways and with functions that you never knew was necessary in a
toilet. Not all Japanese toilets are like that though, here are two
along the more "traditional lines". Especially the second one, which
doesn't even have running water.
Problem solved (20051112)
I could borrow a knife to cut up the giant cabbage, and also
found people to give away cabbage to. I even got a pear in return
(which is indeed a good deal, since I don't like cabbage and pears are
probably more expensive).
Bird feed (20051112)
Today, some new type of weird snack was presented to me, and I
tried it. I said that it tastes like bird food, which caused much amusement, since this would make it perfect for Mr. Pigeon...
Food (20051113)
Having gotten rid of all the cabbage yesterday and today finding
the closest restaurant closed, I decided to go for a more Spartan
dinner (mostly because it was a funny item to buy). This is the
Calorie Mate, for people who have little time for food but still
need energy. The taste is not that great though.
More salsa (20051113)
I went to another salsa party, to see if I can learn this
thing. The indications so far point towards a "no", unfortunately...
But it was a lot of fun, and hard physical exercise. I did get to
practice the "ballroom dancing silly smile", as shown in the photos,
and as shown in the last picture, some of my Japanese teachers were
there.
School lunch (20051114)
I sometimes go to this place to eat. Though if you go at lunch
time it is packed with students. Food is really cheap (lunch is less
than 2 Euro) and I like it (though people tell me I have no taste,
which is convenient for me).
Nothing Weird (20051114)
Today, nothing really weird seemed to be happening. Though I did go to
a food store, where they sell slippers shaped like Barbapappa (I would
have bought some if they didn't look so incredibly hot) and "bread",
with something that is quite likely chocolate, judging from the taste.
Exotic (20051115)
Being from an exotic country, I am to be interviewed by the local
paper on Thursday. So I might not even have to implement the "going to the
snow festival in shorts and t-shirt" plan to become famous here. With
my Swedish TV career kicking of in January, I am probably set for
eternal fame by now...
TV (20051115)
Today I didn't really have anything important to do, so I spent
some time in front of a TV. This is often amusing, but also hampered
by the fact that I don't understand anything. Today there were girls
fighting, the Emperor's daughter's wedding, weirdly dressed people
singing karaoke and of course anime. I think "Smackgirl Korea" might
be the best name of a TV show I have seen so far.
Always party party party (20051116)
Today there was a lunch party (free food!). It consisted of various homemade Japanese dishes, very tasty, and a lot of exchange students (almost all of which are from Asia). The purple thing next to the egg in the bowl I photographed is basically potato... though potatoes in Sweden does not look anything like this.
Moon (20051116)
Today, like most days, I had to stop at most of the traffic
lights in Sapporo. While waiting, I took a picture of the moon.
Dinner (20051116)
Today I went for dinner together with my Polish
colleague. Outside the building we were to eat in, this somewhat
suspicious sign was all lit up. It turned out that we were not going
to that part of the building, instead we went for some soup curry,
which was very nice. In this restaurant the also played reggae covers
of eighties music like Michael Jackson and Eurythmics, and the whole
building was already full of Christmas decorations.
No sleep (20051116)
I continued my tradition of never sleeping by going with my
friend and his girl friend to their apartment, where we discussed such
important things as how to hurt people with a sword. I came home
at around 1.30, which is when people back in Sweden are sending mail
like crazy, evidently. So I had to answer some important looking
e-mails before passing out in bed (and since I have to get up early on
Thursdays, I of course forgot to bring my textbook to class in the
morning).
Working conditions (20051117)
This is where I work. Hmm... I wonder what this sign means, but it
doesn't look all that good.
Swedes (20051117)
Today I met another guy from Sweden (so we are at least 3 here in
Sapporo). He ran away before I got a good picture though.
Celebrity (20051117)
Today I was interviewed by the local paper. So soon I will be
famous and my world conquering career can finally take off.
Exotic and beautiful (20051117)
Several times people have remarked upon how exotic, different,
beautiful or otherwise non-brown my eyes are. This meant that today I
tried to take a picture of my own eye with my camera. This was however
slightly more difficult than expected, and the flash started to hurt
after many failed attempts, as did the range finder beam shining
straight in the eye.
Hail (20051119)
Today there was hail. Then there was snow. Unfortunately, it is
too hot here (as always), so it melted. This meant that when I was
riding my bicycle, my shoes filled with melted snow, which is perhaps
not the most pleasant feeling I can imagine.
Language practice (20051119)
Trying to learn this mystifying language, I went for some
language practice today. I brought the quality literature of "Die
Hard" in book form. It contained mostly men insulting each other on
the pages we studied today, which was fun. This Chinese girl said
something about a photo, so I whipped out my camera and took a
picture. Though the original idea was for her to take a picture of me,
it turned out.
Lights (20051119)
Since it is getting dark, the big park in the middle of the city
is now lit up in artful ways. Though, since this is Japan, they turn
of the lights at ten in the evening...
Very Christmas (20051119)
This department store has very Christmas as their current
slogan.
Movies (20051119)
Today I saw a movie at the cinema. The last time I did this in
Japan I didn't understand anything. This time I understood a lot. I
think the trick might be avoiding Japanese movies and movies dubbed in
Japanese... this time everyone spoke British English.
Clothes (20051119)
Today I found another store that sells these magnificent
clothes.
Thanks (20051119)
Today I received a letter. It was a thank you note for the
interview (I think), with a gift. I believe it to be a subway ticket,
though I don't really know. Update: it is a ticket for public
transport, for 1100 yens worth of travel.
Cell phone (20051120)
Today I bought a cell
phone. 090 6448 7530. It can also be used for watching TV, read bar
codes, has a compass and of course a 2 megapixel camera and other
necessary things. I also found a strap in a matching color that makes
small tinkling sounds. For some reason, I got a free gift with my
phone. I could choose between a pack of golf balls, which I have no
need for since I don't play golf, and a brown fluffy thing. So I now
have a brown fluffy thing. I also bought a cool glow in the dark post
card, but there is not so much glow and very much dark, so the photo
did not turn out so well using my camera.
German Christmas (20051120)
There is a German Christmas festival in the middle of Odori
park. Evidently, in Germany Christmas is mainly celebrated using
sausages and beer.
Light show (20051120)
The main reason for going to Odori park now is the light show
they have. It is very nice, and there is also some poor woman trapped
in a glass bubble playing Christmas song medleys.
Language class (20051121)
Today we practiced words for giving and receiving. I received
chocolate, which was tasty. Studying is hard...
Conspiracy theory (20051122)
Today (as most days) there was a party. This was at a place where
not only had I never before set foot, I have never even been
close. Yet, I meet one of my language exchange partners, one person
from my Japanese training (got away before I had the camera ready),
and one person from the first salsa party. In a city of over 2 million
people. I suspect there is some conspiracy, with a goal I cannot yet
fathom. It's like this "earthquake" thing. People tell me there was an
earthquake here about a week ago. I didn't notice anything (which
might be explained by me sleeping at 6 o'clock in the morning, unlike
Japanese people, evidently, but...), just like the time there was an
"earthquake" when I was in Akihabara... Other than this, the party was
like most Japanese parties, full of food that costs very little.
Shopping (20051123)
Today when I went shopping I met some dogs, and some ordinary
Japanese people in ordinary Japanese clothes, just shopping for some
ordinary vegetables...
Champions (20051125)
Well, we played Scrabble again today. Still champion...
Food and Sweden (20051126)
Today I went for Chinese food, which was very good (and close to
where I live). There was also, for some inexplicable reason, a calendar
with photos of different parts of Sweden for each month.
Clothes (20051126)
Today I found a pair of (working) gloves that for some strange
reason were very cheap. And cool. So I bought them. There were also a
pair of pants in very bright and interesting patterns, probably
colored by someone on LSD. They were a little long for me I think, but
maybe I should go back and by them anyway...
Senseless (20051127)
I think my senses have been deadened when it comes to
strangeness. I have not really taken any pictures of strange things
lately, except for the "English" sign of a pachinko parlor, but it
was too dark so the text in the photo is unreadable. At least today I
was a bit surprised to find dairy clothing. Turns out it might just
have been a spelling mistake.
Bad timing (20051129)
Yesterday I tried to
get some money using my Swedish VISA card at the post office bank near
the university. In Tokyo, my card worked perfectly in every post
office ATM I ever tried (though these were probably only 4 or
so). Here in Sapporo of course it did not work. Also, for some reason
ATMs in Japan are not open in after about seven... So when they opened
again today I decided to go to a larger post office bank to see if
more modern ATMs would help, and also visit some banks to see if I
could use my card to get money. Today the weather was of course really
bad, so I have spent most of the day soaking wet. Banks just say
no when I show my card, while the post offices say sure, but still it
doesn't work, so they say that my card is probably broken. To
top it of I finally receive my tuition bill today, which should be
paid no later than tomorrow (a little shorter waiting period than
earlier bills). This will of course not be possible, since I don't
have enough cash here (and paying with a card is not
allowed). Basically, the timing could have been better. Possibly, I
should rethink my forward planning strategies when it comes to money.
Becoming Japanese (20051130)
Today I took a TEG test (Tokyo University Egogram). The new
version. If I understand correctly, it measures your
personality. After answering 50 or so questions in Japanese, you can
check your personality. It turns out that I am pretty much as the
Japanese average, except probably a bit more strict as father. So I
have already been assimilated (though since my comprehension of many
of the questions was somewhat limited, this may not be the whole
truth).
Lies (20051130)
Today at the language practice there was an attempt at heating
some cookies. The microwave oven was not very cooperative though. When
trying to set the time for heating, it responded with this. Basically,
"I would like to heat this for 5 seconds please", "Liar!".
Complaints should likely be sent to Jonas. If you would like to have a high resolution copy of one of these images (or some other you suspect I have), please feel free to let me know.