crystal's capers

one girl's international adventures

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Fun with Anna

I've been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. Anna-chan and I had hair-dates, and we decided to make a weekend of it. Friday I went to Tsuga (she lives just down the street from Riccardo's old place) right after work. Together we went to the grocery store and stocked up on French bread, nashi (apple-pears), cheeses and wine. Then we headed to the movie shop where we rented Brokeback Mountain (never thought that would come to Japan!). We enjoyed a fabulous low-key evening of good food and good gossip.

Early the next morning we awoke and ventured onto the train to Tokyo. From Anna's it only takes two trains and about $15 to get to Roppongi. Two hours later we stepped into the metropolis, with just enough time for Frappucinos from Starbucks. Then it was off to see Nobu, our favourite Japanese hairdresser (who always sports long, blond-highlighted, permed hair to go with his Aussie-English accent). As we were transformed into visions of perfection, we enjoyed CURRENT issues of gossip and fashion magazines - what a treat!

Three hours later we left Zooto, our salon, and discussed lunch. Since we were all the way in Tokyo we definitely wanted to take advantage of getting some good Western grub. So we jumped on the train to Ueno and hurried over to TGIFridays! It took us forever to decide what to order because we really wanted practically everything on the menu. In the end, Anna was sadly disappointed with her selection and I was VERY happy: buffalo chicken fingers with the BEST blue-cheese dip ever!!

We had a little time to shop around in Ueno and then it was back to Tsuga to prepare for our evening out; both of us excited to play with and show off our new hairdos. Actually, weirdest thing, at the grocery store the evening before we ran into the host of our Saturday-night festivities, which was were I attained my invite. It was Aussie-Josh from Oyama's 23rd birthday; I'd never met him or his American gf, Hang, until that run-in, but we've many mutual friends and they seem like really genuine people.

Anyway, we turned up at the Rock Bar in Oyama to find the little pub packed to the gills with about 45 birthday guests; it was standing-room only. There was live entertainment provided by a friend of the birthday boy, which was excellent. Many faces I'd never seen (proving once again that I am not, in fact, Queen of the Universe) and some I had. But feeling the preliminaries of a cold, and needed to get things done without a pounding hangover today (Sunday), I refrained from intoxication and was home by about 1am.

Thanks, Anna, for the lovely weekend! Can't wait to do it again soon, and in Germany!


OooooOOoooh, Riccardo arrives in just 8 days!!!! Yippee!!

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