"There are slight delays due to a shortage of train operators today." That announcement on the tube today summed up the first day of 2014 very well.
A late start, thanks to a late night, and passing the time until we could check-in to our new room (again on the top floor) were pretty much the whole days activities. It was quite uncomfortable sitting in the dining area for all those hours but the thought of wandering around in the rain was even less appealing
Eventually, though, we settled in to the new room and I started to plan out how I'd get to Cool Uncle Jerry's house for dinner. JP opted to skip the journey to Ealing and instead curled up in the top bunk to continue relaxing.
I ventured back down the steps and off to the tube. The good part about traveling on New Year's Day is that the trains are empty. The ride was uneventful and when I got to Ealing I phoned Jerry for directions to his flat. He came and met me, leading me back to his posh flat.
Awaiting me on the table was a beautifully arranged traditional Japanese New Year's Day meal (beans, pickled radish, fish cake, a shrimp, and umiboshi). Joining us for the evening were two friends of his, both named Mae, one was English teacher and the other a fashion designer. It was great fun talking about our travels and the differences between British English and American English. Jerry even busted out the photo albums so that the Mai's had faces to put to the names in our stories. It was pointed out that almost every photo of Jerry and I is of us drinking on the road. What can I say? We know how to have a good time!
Now if you've never had the chance to hang out with some cool Japanese people and have them treat you to a home cooked meal then you're missing out on one of the greater experiences in life. I've been lucky enough to know a lot of great people, and been treated to lots of home cooked Japanese food. A typical affair includes lots of food, but unlike in the states you don't pile up the food and chow down. Instead each dish is enjoyed individually and with much relish. Then more food is prepared and more drinks poured until many hours have passed and you're stuffed. It's really a unique experience.
This dinner was even more special. In Japan I fell in love with takoyaki - bite sized octopus dough balls - and I received a pan to make them for my birthday. But there was one problem. I didn't know how to make them! Lucky for me Jerry is a takoyaki master and not only made them for me tonight but taught me how.
First Jerry demonstrated how to make them, explaining the steps along the way as I watched earnestly to learn the secrets of his technique. Once they were done and we ate them he said that it was now my turn. I rolled up my sleeves and nervously got to work. With Jerry walking me through it and making sure that I followed all the steps I successfully made takoyaki!! They came out really tasty too an now I can't wait to go home and do it again. We joked that I could open my own restaurant one day and serve them. I said that if I did I'd have to bring Jerry over to help.
I also enjoyed zoni - a kind of Japanese soup that varies from region to region - and a sushi casserole type thing as well as Iberico ham and katsu. It was all so good and it was so cool being invited to share a slice of their home in this foreign land.
After dinner (and pictures of course) Jerry walked me back to the train. I hope we can hang out again when he makes his way stateside for a visit. Being with Jerry, and the rest of my Japanese former co-workers, always feels like home.
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