Unexpected Reunion.
I still cannot believe that I spent a time with my favorite teachers here in Japan. Tonight was one of the nicest dinners that I’ve ever had.
Today some of my friends who spent a year in the States and I met professors of Coe College in Tokyo. In order to give a presentation for the next year’s students, they came to Japan, and thankfully, they invited us to the dinner today.
Four professors came to Japan. One of the professors is John Chaimov (I wrote about him here several times). He teaches German and Gender Studies at Coe. I didn’t take his class, but we got to know through the club, Coe Alliance. I visited his office sometimes to ask or discuss gender issues and language problem. John also invited me to the Thanksgiving dinner at his house. Since he is a vegetarian, we didn’t have a “huge” turkey at the dinner; instead, we had very a nice salad, soybean-made meals and alcohols. (By the way, he spent 13-hour flight in the business class. That’s so envious!)
I didn’t expect this amazing reunion, although I knew somebody comes from Coe today for the presentation. In addition, I didn’t expect his coming to Waseda, because in most cases this kind of presentation is held by ESL program’s teachers. I was also so excited for meeting him today. (Of course, I will not be disappointed if the ESL teachers come to Waseda.)
He told me that he went to Japanese restaurants many times in the US, and there, they serve some vegetarian sushi, so he thought in Japan there should be more vegetarian sushi restaurants. But there wasn’t. Then I said to him that the vegetarian is not a popular culture in Japan, and he was the first person who is vegetarian that I met in my life. It is true that the vegetarian is not popular in Japan (and actually kind of prejudiced seen), but there should be some consideration at the restaurant or the bar.
He said this was the first time to come to Japan, and he was so much excited for everything that happens around him. I was glad to hear that his impression of Japan was good. He said to me it is wonderful.
We first met at a hotel in Takadanobaba, and then, went to a bar near the hotel. The bar provided us with a nice opportunity to talk about Japanese culture. First of all, we took our shoes off when we got into the room. Secondly, I poured my friends a glass of beer with using both hands. The first culture is relatively known, but the latter one seemed to be kind of strange, so it interested teachers very much. So I always looked for cleared glasses in order to pour, and when I found it, I poured the glass by using two hands. At last, teachers learned it, and they poured my glass several times. I added an explanation that this action is showing respect. I somehow had a business card today and exchanged it in a Japanese way, which uses two hands. John also sincerely held his card in both hands, and we exchanged these also using both hands. That must be looked funny.
All of the things happened made us enjoyed. I strongly realized that we in Japan have very different culture from the American one, especially looking at his reactions. It was a truly interesting cultural experience.
One of the things that John and I talked about was this year’s Coe Alliance activities. According to John, Coe Alliance sponsored a presentation. I heard the idea of the presentation during the last semester, but it was carried out this semester. The lecturer has a Native Indian background and has a kind of mediate gender identity. It can be said that the lecturer is marginalized dually in the society, but at the same time, s/he represents the diversity itself. (I forgot how John called lecturer.) The lecturer is ethnically and sexually diverse. This sounds very interesting presentation. Over 100 Coe students attended it, John said. In addition to that, Coe Alliance held a concert inviting professional musicians. According to John, they sing political songs which interest me a lot. GLBT issues are particularly controversial in the US, but they seemed to be kind of provocative. I wanted to go both of them.
We talked a lot more topics unable to write here, but we had wonderful time together. I didn’t expect seeing them here in Japan and have a dinner at a bar. It was really amazing, and I was so glad. During the conversation, I was reminded of the days at Coe, my friends, professors, classes and tons of homework! (I honestly say that year was really hard, like hardest with study during my college life) I had a really good experience. The surprising thing is that we are still able to keep in touch which might not happen at Waseda. I really thank them for coming to Waseda, Japan and inviting us to the dinner. Next time will be my turn. I should visit them when I go to the States.
日本語でも少し書きますと、とにかく今日はすごくうれしかったのです！留学先で最もお世話になった（そしてもっとも尊敬している）先生の一人が日本に早稲田に来てくれて、しかもいっしょに飲むことができたのが、とにかくうれしくてたまらないのです。こんなこと起きるとは想像だにしていませんでしたし、なんだか夢心地で、いまだに信じられないような気すらします。話していたときもそして今でも、留学先での生活がまさに走馬灯のように思い出され、すごくすごく懐かしく感じました。本当に楽しかったし、涙が出そうなくらいうれしかったです。とにかくうれしかった。今日はその一言に尽きます！