Rugby Match

On Sunday I went to one of Japan's most popular rugby games in the National Olympic Stadium (国立競技場). This was also the last game in the Olympic stadium before they shut it down for renovations for the upcoming Olympics. I couldn't believe it reached max capacity (57,363) for a college game (Waseda University vs. Meiji University). However, I have to admit that this wasn't the best experience I've had in Japan so far...it was really hot with the sun shining in our face, it was so crowded that people were sitting in the aisles and stairs of the stadium, and I had no idea the rules of the game and couldn't follow what was going on. It was also strangely quiet...Japanese people only cheered when they scored but didn't chant during the Japan or even chat with the people next to them. It was so silent you could hear the players on the field shouting to each other. But Waseda won!!

Regardless, what was really cool is that my friends and I were personally invited by three of the Waseda rugby players. They were sitting next to us at a restaurant one night in Takadanobaba and we started chatting. They reserved us special VIP tickets that allowed us to cut the line to get into the stadium. As one of the only western looking people at the match, I'm sure people were very confused as to how I got the special tickets :)

I went with Dahee, Allison, and Katy - and we also got free towels and face stickers with our tickets.

Thanksgiving at McDonalds

Sorry for not posting in a while...I've been busy studying for midterms!

This was the first year that I wasn't home for Thanksgiving. Although I missed my family, our ranch, and my mom's marshmallow-covered sweet potatoes, I had a great time with one of my Japanese-American friends, Martha. After getting our nails done the Japanese way (gel nails with crazy and fun designs), we went for shopping and dinner in the fashion forward Harajuku district. Unfortunately, turkey and dressing isn't on restaurant menus during the fall season, or any season, so we opted for the famous American restaurant, McDonalds.

I have to say I was impressed with the chic and clean atmosphere that the Harajuku McDonalds boasted. The interior was of modern design with mood lighting and it was nice to see all the super skinny Japanese people sitting in the appropriate sized booths, tables, and high-tops. The McDonald's employees were well-dressed and used formal Japanese language with their customers, which is a definite change compared to the American stores.

I ate a non-greasy fried chicken burger with fries and a medium Sprite (the medium is the same size as the small in America). The food was great! Also, when we were done with our food, a waitress came up and threw our food away for us.

Great service, food, and atmosphere, I didn't even feel like I was sitting in McDonalds! I would happily go back to try a real burger and see how that compares.

*From what I understand not all McDonalds' are as nice as the one in Harajuku.