Post 58 - In which I cause a minor panic by going missing

 This morning I had intended to go on a walking tour of some temples and shrines in the area.  We were to meet at Tokushima Station at 8:00.  I biked there, arriving around 7:45 or so and proceeding to circle the area looking for people.  It was raining a bit, so I had put on a grey rain coat.  I did not see anyone, and they did not see me.  Around 8:30 or so, I figured I should head home.  Being me, I didn't think well and took a less than direct route.  I wasn't home until about 10 am.  Brooke had stopped by to see if I was here at 9 (according to the doorbell camera), and Susan had called from campus before I got back.  In the end, I made many people nervous something had happened to me.  I apologize to everyone for that.  Hopefully it will not happen again.

Happier things.  Last night I had ramen with 5 students.  We went to Todai.  It's a ramen shop.  What I mean by that is there is a long, central bar with a raised central portion.  Customers sit around the bar and your order is brought to you.  The students ordered for me.  I had Tokushima ramen, gyoza dumplings, and rice.  The ramen came with thin strips of pork or beef that had been sauteed, green onions, heavily peppered bamboo shoots, and a very rich, flavorful sauce.  When it is served, you break a raw egg into the broth.  As you eat, the egg gets sort of soft cooked in the hot liquid.  It is very good.  I did not take a picture because I was hungry when it arrived and didn't think about it.  I'd apologize for that, but I'm not going to.  One student said of my chopsticks ability, "You look very beautiful using chopsticks."  What was meant was I use them well.

While we were eating the ramen and talking, two of them invited me for sushi afterwards.  I'm not one to pass this up, so...

This was fantastic.  The three of us talked about several things.  Why I became a teacher (I didn't really want to leave college, and this seemed like the best way to stay), what it's like traveling and not knowing the language (stressful at times, but people always help), and what advice I'd give for someone who isn't sure what they want out of life (shoulder shrug).  We also talked about their plans for life, how some things in Japan are changing, where they'd like to go if they have the chance.  In talking about my lack of language skills, one of them said it's okay.  I use chopsticks very well, and I am willing to taste whatever food is given to me.

About that last part, before we had the plate above, there was a plate of tako (octopus) with daikon, carrot, anko, and wasabi.  I put some wasabi on a bit of octopus and one of the students said I should put more on.  She kept encouraging me to add more wasabi until there was quite a bit.  As I ate it, she was looking at me expecting a reaction.  When I didn't react, she asked me if I'd had it before.  I said yes, and that I enjoy the way my nose slightly burns to clear my breathing.  I think she was expecting me to sputter a bit.

So, again, I'm sorry for making people worried this morning.  I hope everyone was able to enjoy their day.  I have ideas for my upcoming classes based on this weekend.  We'll see how it all goes.