Chopsticks and Fries

Two nights ago I ate french fries with chopsticks for the first time. It was the welcome/farewell party for me and the outgoing teacher at a "buffet style" restaurant in Maizuru. How it worked was someone placed a group order for drinks at each table then after drinks were served the wait staff would bring out different types of food all night. There was the raw fish tray (which was excellent), the salad tray, and even the American style tray which had french fries, chicken strips, and fried spring rolls. At one point I had a "Lost in Translation" moment. The wait staff brings out this big metal bowl full of water along with two trays of raw vegetables and raw meat then places the bowl on a gas heater. The students proceed to add in the vegetables and let it come to a boil. While it's boiling one picks up a piece of raw meat and cooks it in the bowl. It takes about 30 seconds to cook. There's a dipping sauce for the meat and once it's all done it tastes really good. I just remember in the movie "Lost in Translation" Bill Murray says to Scarlett Johansson after the staff brings all the materials to make this meal, "if we have to cook the food ourselves, what are we paying them for."

Overall it was a wonderful evening and it was great to get a chance to talk to my students outside of the classroom. I DEFINITELY left an impress on some of them when at one point of the conversation I had to explain what the word "poop" meant and proceeded to act out the action with me protraying a dog on a walk who makes a stop to poop. Yeah it's a good thing I don't mind making an a** out of myself once in a while.

There are more stories to come but once again the work chimes are ringing so I must run. Take care!