Keio and classes

Some of you may be wondering why there has been no mention of any of my classes yet.  Thus far, they have been unmentioned because I didn't have any; the first full and official week of classes ended today (Wednesday).  There was a week of 'trial' classes the week before, but many of those were only twenty minute introductions to the class plan, and were equivalent to reading the syllabus.  I'm planning to take nine or ten classes (the minimum is seven), each of which meets for 90 minutes a week.  Four are Japanese classes, the rest are in English and (mostly) vaguely history themed. 

Keio is right in the middle of downtown Tokyo; it's only a few blocks from Tokyo Tower, a large orange-and-red-Eiffel-Tower-looking broadcast tower, and is right on the main Tokyo train line.  Everyone seems to be extremely wealthy: Burburry is everywhere, and I see those really expensive shoes with the red soles and European name at least twice a day.  Keio is apparently notorious for being an extremely expensive elite university, and it shows in the clothing.  Unfortunately, it does not show in the buildings.  They are generally pretty ugly and 50s-esque; certainly Bryn Mawr wins hands down in attractiveness.  Here is an image of the only attractive part of the campus, the East Gate:

This was taken on one of the few days so far where the weather has not only been dry, but clear and sunny. 

Recent festival adventures

The other day, my delightful little brother Jeff-a-saurus informed me that I was not updating to his satisfaction, and chided me for not even acknowledging his birthday on my illustrious blog.  Sorry, Jeff; but you try keeping up with writing things when you're trying to register for classes in two countries, exploring the biggest metropolitan area in the world, spending hours talking to Japanese teacher (in Japanese) trying to convince them to move you up a level, becoming an English teacher, and beating Japanese students at drinking games; it's a lot of work.  Also it's been raining, and rain makes me lazy.

I have been having all sorts of adventures, though, and have been meaning to post for a while.  So here are some of my explorations.  (Side note: if anyone is wondering why all my pictures seem to be of food, it is because food is one of my favorite things to explore.)

I've been to a few festivals so far; they've all been small ones and pretty low key.  There will be a lot more later in the summer, when fireworks season arrives; I'm looking forward to them.  Here are some pictures to the first one I went to; unfortunately, it was rained out not long after I arrived, and everyone scurried home (including me).  I went with two friends from Barcelona with whom I have been spending a lot of time.  (Unfortunately it was dark, so the pictures aren't very good). 

Here are a bunch of kids trying to shoot things for prizes.  Pretty standard.  Another popular game is catching goldfish on paper rings, or baby chick on a string.  Obviously one keeps the animals they've caught. 

There was a monkey show by the lake.  They probably did tricks or something. 

Far more interesting than monkeys was the food.  Especially:

Pikachu pancakes!  (Seen here with my friend Pol [pronounced Paul]). This weird close-up was the only way to get an image at the festival.  I was going to take a better photo at home later (along with the excellent Pokemon bag they came in) but I accidentally threw them out.  Imagine my distress when I went to eat my Pikachu pancake leftovers for breakfast the next morning only to find last night's yakisoba garbage instead; I assume you it was dreadful.)  Little pancake bites are common festival food; they're made with honey and not so sweet (things here usually aren't so sweet as in America), but clearly being Pikachu shaped takes them to a whole new level.

More food.  Mmm banana.

These pictures are from a different festival that is quite famous and large; however, we arrived a bit after most of the festivities had died down.  It didn't rain much, though, so we were happy. 

This pond was filled with carp and turtles.  I love turtles, so I was really excited (note how I am looking at the turtles in the pond, and not the camera).

Mochi balls (on a stick):

Delicious.  Which is why I'm making a funny face.  (I console myself that maybe, somewhere on another camera, there are good pictures of me).

There Jeff; happy?