Japan '09 - Misc part 4
It's a bit embarassing to admit but we're a family of snorers. Reggie almost always sleeps before everyone, whenever his back touches something - a couch, the floor, a futon - he's knocked out. That's why we can hear him snore and usually Donna follows suit and she snores and then it's me. According to Manami we all have our own unique 'sound'. Apparently, I have my lips flapping around when I exhale, to the amusement of everybody when Manami told us. Surprisingly, she does not snore.
Yes, this is how small their apartment is over here.
Yesterday, after Reggie has unwound a bit, we walked towards the Yokosuka Chuo train station where we were supposed to meet Manami's parents, Masukazu and Tamiko. When we arrived at Gonta restaurant, they were already waiting for us.
The first thing I noticed when we got seated at the table was a peanut in each place setting. Donna and I were wondering if we were supposed to eat it, how come there's only one. Then Manami explained it's there as a chopstick rest but it can still be eaten later.
Dinner was great as usual and the Karaoke session afterwards was even better.
Both Manami's parents sang a couple of Japanese songs and her Mom did a fairly decent version of a Carpenters song although she spoke very little English. Manami sang a Japanese song as well. I'm surprised I was able to sing in spite of my cough which hasn't completely gone away. Two glasses of iced tea helped cool down my throat in between Bed of Roses and Faithfully. Of course, Donna did her ohako (favorite Karaoke song) Top of the World and Torn Between Two Lovers.
A little before nine, we had to call it a night and said goodbye to Masuchan and Tamichan - they have to work in the morning. We walked with them towards the train station and bid our Sayonara promising to see each other again in the future.
Karaoke was a bit short so Reggie got a hold of his old friends Ryo and his wife Minako. I met them during my last visit in Japan in 2006.
After Manami's parents have gone into the train station, the four of us walked towards town and we went to a basement venue with Karaoke booths. Ryo and Minako were already there waiting. They remembered me from 2006. After paying for one hour, we headed to our booth. Luckily the drinks were free and I ordered my usual iced tea. It felt great to be able to sing again. Reggie just had to hear me sing Nowhere Man again with Ryo singing harmony. Ryo didn't disappoint with Billy Joel's Honesty and like Minachan, he spoke a couple of English words. He also backed Reggie up with Woman. Here is Manami singing the song "Sayonara No Mukougawa" with Ryo. It didn't feel like it but the phone rang, the front desk telling us it's been an hour so I had Reggie ask for another half hour extension.
With the half hour extension over, we had the prerequisite group pictures and the 10 minute goodbyes.
When we got home, Donna opened up the goodbye presento from Tamichan - more souvenir sembei.
Yes, this is how small their apartment is over here.
Yesterday, after Reggie has unwound a bit, we walked towards the Yokosuka Chuo train station where we were supposed to meet Manami's parents, Masukazu and Tamiko. When we arrived at Gonta restaurant, they were already waiting for us.
The first thing I noticed when we got seated at the table was a peanut in each place setting. Donna and I were wondering if we were supposed to eat it, how come there's only one. Then Manami explained it's there as a chopstick rest but it can still be eaten later.
Dinner was great as usual and the Karaoke session afterwards was even better.
Both Manami's parents sang a couple of Japanese songs and her Mom did a fairly decent version of a Carpenters song although she spoke very little English. Manami sang a Japanese song as well. I'm surprised I was able to sing in spite of my cough which hasn't completely gone away. Two glasses of iced tea helped cool down my throat in between Bed of Roses and Faithfully. Of course, Donna did her ohako (favorite Karaoke song) Top of the World and Torn Between Two Lovers.
A little before nine, we had to call it a night and said goodbye to Masuchan and Tamichan - they have to work in the morning. We walked with them towards the train station and bid our Sayonara promising to see each other again in the future.
Karaoke was a bit short so Reggie got a hold of his old friends Ryo and his wife Minako. I met them during my last visit in Japan in 2006.
After Manami's parents have gone into the train station, the four of us walked towards town and we went to a basement venue with Karaoke booths. Ryo and Minako were already there waiting. They remembered me from 2006. After paying for one hour, we headed to our booth. Luckily the drinks were free and I ordered my usual iced tea. It felt great to be able to sing again. Reggie just had to hear me sing Nowhere Man again with Ryo singing harmony. Ryo didn't disappoint with Billy Joel's Honesty and like Minachan, he spoke a couple of English words. He also backed Reggie up with Woman. Here is Manami singing the song "Sayonara No Mukougawa" with Ryo. It didn't feel like it but the phone rang, the front desk telling us it's been an hour so I had Reggie ask for another half hour extension.
With the half hour extension over, we had the prerequisite group pictures and the 10 minute goodbyes.
When we got home, Donna opened up the goodbye presento from Tamichan - more souvenir sembei.
posted by reyjay @ 10:03 AM
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