Retail Therapy

Yesterday we got our Japanese placement test results back. The bad news, I has "held back". I don't think I've ever been that disappointed on a test before. The good news, everyone else in the dorm had the same experience. In fact, a bunch of us have ended up in the same placement level- group homework will probably become a norm around here.

So, after visiting my academic adviser and being told I couldn't possibly be placed any higher I was feeling a little depressed. One of the girls in my dorm suggested we go to Ikebukero for some girl time. First stop, doughnuts. There is a Krispy Kreme right there at Ikebukero Staition. I got a pumpkin cream that I ate so quickly I forgot to take a picture of it. But then it was time for some real food.

Udon noodle bowl- hot.

Tempura Shrimp.

 I don't know what they feed the shrimp here in Japan, but they're huge! The Udon was super delicious too, I don't think I even needed the egg the broth was so good! But, I ate the egg anyway- more protein for shopping! 

So after lunch, we did some wandering and came across this huge arcade shop! I swear it was at least four stories. The first three of which were all those crane games. You know the ones where you try and pick up the stuffed animals? Except in Japan they make it especially hard, the cranes only have two claws so the toys slip right off! In fact, there were even a bunch of machines that had one claw and you had to push the toy into the drop zone. I didn't even try- I was very proud of my self restraint.

 

Did you know that everyone in Japan has to wear a uniform to work? I'm serious! I think I've only seen business men (and women) not in a uniform shirt. Even the workers at the train station wear polo shirts with the company names stitched on them! Getting back on track here. After we were awed by the many machines of the arcade store, we found a BookOff!. Which is like a giant used book store. 

  

They sell manga for about 150 yen (about two dollars). But, you better know which manga you want, because the aisles go on forever! I'm serious! And, lots of people seem to just read the books in the store. I can't tell you how many aisles we had to walk through sideways because of all the customers pushed up against the book shelves, reading manga. 

See? I remembered to take lots of pictures!

 After that, came the fun part. We found a clothing store! Though, I was very specific on what I wanted. A pair of rain boots. Because when it rains in Japan, it seriously rains. I've had to change multiple pairs of socks in one day because my shoes keep getting soaked through. So now, I have really cute rain boots. They're on the shorter side, but I like the height. Black, so they go with everything. And have big black bows on the front, because all female clothes here tend toward the 'cute'. I've realized I'm seriously under dressed in T-shirt and jeans. Oops. 

Now, today is another attempt to get a phone. Maybe it will actually happen this time!