A bunch of office mates (mostly expats) went out to a Yakitori restaurant this evening. More sake, more beer, and lots of chicken. Some of the menu items are a bit strange to Westerners — chicken cartilage skewers, anyone? — but my dad could eat here. There's one downside, though: your clean suit and tie will reek of chicken smoke when you leave.
Yesterday I actually visited the health club. I'll be back. Tomorrow morning? I also reaffirmed my appreciation for the Hanamasa chain of grocery stores. Hanamasa sells in "bulk" and started as a restaurant supply company, but anyone can shop there, and the stores are open at any hour. Japan's bulk sizes would be standard U.S. sizes, so as long as you've got a decent sized refrigerator it's a good place to stock up. Hanamasa has lots of discount frozen foods. I got a half kilo of frozen strawberries for 199 yen, for example.
Chicken prices are a bit strange. Breasts are one of the least expensive parts: around 45 yen per 100 grams at Hanamasa. Thighs and wings cost more oddly enough. Maybe that's because expats spend 4250 per person eating them from skewers. [Insert your own joke here about cheap breasts.]
It's confirmed. I'm leaving for Beijing on Wednesday. Unfortunately I could only obtain a single entry visa at the Chinese Embassy because I had a faxed copy of my invitation letter, so I get to stand in line again next time after I receive the original. I probably don't have to deal with visas since somebody at the office could handle the whole process, but the Chinese Embassy is an easy walk from home, and it's one more way to experience life.
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