I had an appointment to meet two people who agreed to alleviate my loneliness for at least one evening. They were friends of a friend who suggested that I meet these ladies in order to learn more about Osaka, or eat good Osaka food, or discuss prospects for my teaching career in Japan, or something else entirely. I wasn't quite sure.
While I was still in New York, I had called my friend, and asked her if she had any suggestions for what I should do while in Japan. I wasn't sure what she could offer, and I don't think she and any idea what to consider either. Perhaps I had put her on the spot and had forced her into an uncomfortable position. In any case, she suggested that I meet with her friends, who were also teachers and might be interested in some of the same things that I am. And so I would have to meet these friends tonight. I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into, and I am sure they didn't know either. At least they outnumbered me, and if I was a bad or uninteresting guest, then at least they could talk amongst themselves.
It so happened that I enjoyed myself with my two new friends. We discussed many interesting things under the intoxication of alcohol and fried food called kushikatsu, which, apparently is an Osakan specialty. Basically they take anything edible under the sun, and fry it. This isn't terribly different from what is done at many county fairs across America. The key difference is that you dip everything in some soy based sauce.
Knowing that I am a teacher, they also gave me a few playful gifts, such as construction paper and scissors, a ball and string, and a party blow toy. A friend who could not make it that night gave me a gift of a pancake with bean filling. THis was supposed to be my breakfast the next morning. I felt grateful, but stupid. I had similar such gifts to give them that I had picked up in New York before coming to Japan. However, I completely forgot to get them out of my bag, and so I was unable to give them away. So I made sure to pay for the meal in exchange. After a wonderful evening, I was very happy to make some new friends.
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