Hibbie Jibbies

Tuesday June 26th
Alright, so I went to Fujiyoshida, which is an hour and 15 minute train ride from where I live. It is right around the base of Mt Fuji. I headed there right after school because it was my friends birthday and she was having a small potluck like gathering at her place. Anyways, so I have a good time and then I have to head back on the train around 9:30pm. This is a very small train and it only has 3 cars, however, it is not very busy at this time of night either. My car had 3 other people in it, so I sat next to the end of a seat and put my back to the right of me. I decided to read on my iPad to pass the time and because I enjoy reading.

About 15 minutes into my ride I see motion out of the corner of my eye and there is a guy walking through the car, okay this is not abnormal, however as soon as he sees me look up he says "Oh, hello" and then proceeds to sit right next to my bag, extremely close.  I being who I am of course say hello back. The amazing thing about the whole conversation that I am about to write about is how good of English this guy actually had. It was surprising to me. I will try to note what was said and English and what I understood in Japanese separately, but it won't be perfect.

He then asks me where are you from? I say America. He responds "Really, I'm from Japan" He then says "My name is Maiko" He then asks "Where do you live?" I say Yamanashi (as that is the prefecture in which I live) He responds "Really" then proceeds to say "Oh, what is your name?" I am trying to think quickly as I do not really want to give him my real name so I say Stephanie.  "Really, oh your name is beautiful" He then proceeds to say "Nice to meet you" and reaches for my hand. I am nice so I say Nice to meet you, too and shake is hand.  "Do you have a boyfriend?" I quickly respond yes, especially in this situation. "Really, American boyfriend?" Yes. "Japanese boyfriend" I say No and am thinking I just told you American boyfriend. Then he says "2 boyfriends?" I say No and he proceeds to stomp his feet and throw a mini tantrum. He then asks "live boyfriend?" Yes, I do. (haha) He then proceeds to get closer and whispers in my ear "Have sex boyfriend?" I then say that is none of your business. He looks at me and then says "No comment" I say NO COMMENT he says "No comment" I say NO COMMENT.

At this point a girl gets up as the train is slowing down to get off the train but I notice she has her phone angled strangely as if she is trying to take a picture. Then I hear it take a picture (in Japan you cannot take the sound off as they have major problems with people taking photos without permission) I say Really, loudly and then say really you took a picture, which I know she knows the word picture. She acts like she doesn't hear and then the guy says something about a picture in Japanese and she looks and says No. The train stops and she gets off quickly. This really irks me for some reason, probably because I am feeling creeped out and nervous.

He then proceeds to say "Where do you live?" I say Yamanashi "Where Yamanashi" I then say Yamanashi-shi (I live in Enzan, yamanashi-shi is the next town over) Then he says "I be your boyfriend" No, "You be girlfriend?" and grabs my hand. I say No. He then proceeds to stomp his feet again. "How old are you?" I lie like I have been and say 23, I should have went older darn it. Then he says "boyfriend age?" I say 23 he says onaji which is same in Japanese. "I am 18, Where are you from?" America (we went over this) "Los Angelos" No "Where"  I say Chicago. "Really, oh American's are beautiful" continues to try and grab my hand. "I love you, you love me?" No he proceeds to stomp his feet and flail his hands in another mini tantrum and keeps trying to get closer. I am creeped out thoroughly and have tried to look and sound uninterested. All the sudden he stands up and says "Bye see you next time" and then walks to one of the other train cars. He doesn't get off. I try to go back to reading and am worried that he is going to follow me when I change trains at one of the stations. When I get off to change trains I am really creeped out, but I do not see him.

I have another 30ish minute ride to Enzan and I get off there are a few guys who get off and my adrenaline is still pumping and I am ready to punch someone, haha. On my walk home I go by a vending machine that has a huge spider on it, which would normally creep me out, but I remember thinking "Oh please, I have dealt with bigger issues tonight" haha I am silly. As I am getting closer to my place I think "and this is why I am leaving Japan." lol.

Well I am okay, everything is okay, the likely hood of me seeing that guy again is pretty slim, but I just thought I would share that story.

An Apology

I would like to apologize to my friends and family for not being better about blogging on here. I really do not enjoy writing. I would rather talk these stories out, I think I have a way about telling stories verbally that I just am unable to clearly write. I think one of the reasons that I was horrible is that I did not have internet for my first two months in Japan, so I never made it a habit.

Now, I shall try and post some stories, most likely out of order so I apologize for that as well. However, I will try to write the approximate dates that they happened if I can remember.

Emily Jo :D