Day 174 in Japan – The Bright Lights of Himeji

First lessons of the year started at Akashi kita today, and they are going over really well. I get the kids to do a “Who Am I” game to guess different countries. Like “I am in Northern Europe… (here is a picture of a green rolling field)… I am part of the UK…(here is a picture of a shamrock)… My main languages are Gaelic and English… (here is a picture of the flag)… I AM IRELAND!”. As I give mystery prizes (chocolate/biscuits) to the students who win, the kids get really into it, and it makes the bitter pill of having to do speeches using the same vocabulary much easier for them to swallow. Anyway, after a really fun day of teaching, I realized that it was actually a Friday, and I had no plans! Not unusual, but today I actually felt like going out and socialising, so I invited myself along to a night out in Himeji with Dan, Christine, Pav, Adam, Jessica and the-girl-with-the-hair-whose-name-I-don’t-remember-and-I-don’t-care-for-much.

We went to a place called “Milk Ramen”, whose specialty was… Milk Ramen. It was actually really nice – like normal ramen, but kind of creamy, and even more filling than usual. Also had these vegetable gyoza that were surprisingly good for a vegetable version of a traditionally meat-based dish. Afterwards, Dan took us to one of the best cocktail bars I have been to in Japan – Not Blue. It was a really classy and nice traditional cocktail bar, although I think all of us loud gaijin kinda ruined the mood a little. But I had a brilliant gin and tonic (Tanqueray! Not 10, though), and a Moscow Mule that was almost as good as the Mules served in (that bar I went to with Anita and Kevin – chuck in a link). Thankfully, Dan was keeping an eye on the time, because when Sam and I walked with him to the train, we only just made our last train home. Phew! I thought we had another 30-60 minutes. It was a really nice night out, and reminded me that I should hang out with the Himejans more often. I miss them!

Milk Ramen. Surprisingly meaty and delicious.

Food Highlight of the Day: would HAVE to be Milk Ramen.