Fruits are expensive
I don’t know how the Japanese manage their money, but buying fruits is expensive. A bunch of bananas with 4-5 pieces cost about $3 while a small container of grapes the size of my fist cost $7!! I don’t know how I’ll manage eating fruits unless I buy food from the konbini at discount prices. A pound of apple for $4-5. Crazy, but that’s how it is here. Somehow I feel like if I eat cakes and parfaits with fruits that I’ll be receiving a good amount, but with an extra intake of sugar. Oh well.
Dinners here are also expensive so it’s much better to go out during lunch time. The problem is that there are days when we have activities. Class ends at 12pm and then the activity usually starts around 1pm with an introduction. These days it’s difficult to go out and eat lunch at some restaurants because they’re only open from 11-2pm Then they are closed for the next several hours to prepare for dinner, most likely. This definitely puts a limit on what can be eaten.
Actually, some of the things here aren’t so expensive. If you’re able to find a 100 yen or 105 yen shop, it’s easy to find good quality items for a rather cheap price. I went into this 105 yen shop for kitchen items and was astounded by the display. Sorry, I didn’t have my tablet to take pictures. It was very easy to get around and find the items needed. You can feel the quality and durability of each item which surprised me because of its cheap price. Compared to the 99 cent shops back in New York, those places tended to be cramped, disorganized, and nothing is really 99 cents. Here in Japan, I was expecting the same thing, but it was clean, spacious, and organized. I haven’t visited any other yen shops, but my first impression of one is rather great.
Gion Matsuri: a month-long festival that takes place in Kyoto. If I recall correctly it is a festival that started over a millennium ago which is pretty impressive. A few days ago on the 17th was when the floats started to proceed down a set route, using not machinery, but people’s own strength to pull the massive wooden structures. These large structures can weigh around 12 tons. That’s pretty heavy.
a hoko float. it’s constructed with rope and wood. No nails were used
Finished hoko float being pulled by men. It takes about 30 minutes to turn a corner.
A lot more has happened Classes started and I visited a few places with friends. It’s a bit difficult to buy gifts, but I’m keeping track of my luggage space. Hopefully it won’t be overweight when I return to New York.
Information courtesy of http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3942.html
