Sumimasen, what was that beverage I just drank?

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I just arrived in Japan a couple of days ago, and I'm still pretty lost. I don't know much Japanese, and I can't read hiragana yet. I'm especially flummoxed when it comes to the grocery store. I'm already bored of the safe stuff like rice cracker snacks and miso soup with seaweed and tofu. Anyway, this morning I bought what I thought was milk. It was a carton from the refrigerated beverage section, and it had cows pictured on the carton. I added some to my tea; it curdled up and tasted sour but not exactly like milk gone bad. Then I tasted it alone to isolate the weird flavor. The expiration date indicated that it should be very fresh, and it didn't taste bad to me. I guess I bought some sort of yogurt drink. It was sweet, though tangy, but it wasn't as thick as the yogurt drinks I've had before.

PS -- Hi, Ned! I didn't email you because I can't telnet into my regular account for some reason.

― Melinda Mess-Injure, Friday, 12 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Out of curiosity I bought something titled "Cheese Sand" with a picture of a wedge of Swiss cheese on the front. It was four tiny, white, fluffy square buns. The cheese inside (a small pat that looked like butter) was alright, but the "bread" exterior put me off. It was the texture -- like a soggy, unsweet marsmallow puff or a waterlogged piece of tempurpedic foam.

I also bought what I thought was peanut butter because it has a picture of peanut shells on it. But instead of being nutty it was awfully sweet. Tastes good when I know what to expect.

When I am treated to fine dining here, it's always been western cuisine (French and Italian) but strangely rendered. A senior professor here threatens to introduce me to the exquisite joys (ner ner) of natto next time. I am keen to try it only to find out if I hate it more than vegemite.

― Melinda Mess-Injure, Friday, 12 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

You only learn by doing. ;-) Glad to hear you're there safe and sound! Write me direct when you get the chance.

Anyway, paging Momus, Momus to thread.

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 13 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sounds like *cows sperm*. ;-) Where exactly in Japan are you located? Don't worry about not knowing Japanese. If you stare long enough into space, someone will put you on a plane. ;-) Try asking a policeman the way.They are extremely helpful. They will give you direction talking very rapidly in their own language. heh. Nihon wa totemo omishiroi desu ne? Actually come to think of it, isn't it a lactose free drink or something? I know that many Japanese are allergic to lactose (as are many Chinese as well).

― nathalie, Saturday, 13 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I thought they only drank cow sperm in Belgium? I think Huyghe bottles it ... "Delerium Tremens" or something like that

― Dare, Saturday, 13 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sounds a lot to me like kalpi - a sort of yogurt based uncarbonated milk drink that my Japanese friends drink a lot of, and I would too if I had access. It's pretty standard and nothing to worry about. Most of my friends buy the powdered packets though, and mix with water. I dunno about mixing it with tea either...usually it's just alone.

― jen, Saturday, 13 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Huh huh, you said Calpis ; p Engrish.com rocks!

The first vending machine I saw when I arrived was one for Pocari Sweat.

I will live in Togane, a small town about an hour east of Tokyo. Hopefully I'll move into the apt. tomorrow after classes.

― Melinda Mess-Injure, Sunday, 14 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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