Kid Ethnic: Mixed-Race Adventures in Japan: And furthermore: Halfie the Half-blood Breaks a Chair

And furthermore: Halfie the Half-blood Breaks a Chair · 30 July 04

My tour guides here in Kumamoto City are a group of four students from Yushinkan High School.

They are very sweet. They rarely speak. When asked a question, they all four huddle, converse, and then agree upon an answer.

I was introduced to them by Nathan, who gave me fair warning of their shyness.

Nathan, my tour guides, and me.

Their silence is confusing and charming.

They hopped on their bikes, and I (cautiously) hopped on my own and they led me to my homestay.

Immediately after meeting my homestay family, I was told we were off to have a barbecue. I’m not sure if this is a traditional Japanese family thing to do, or if they were catering to my American-ness. But I enjoy meat and fire.

So we loaded the dog into the car and headed to Lake Ezu-ko.

Rie's sister and dog.

The dad fired up the grill, the kids collected kindling, and the mom distributed tiny little folding cloth and metal chairs for each of us to sit on.

We each picked a beverage and tossed it into the water to chill.

drinks chill in the water

They were the tiniest little things, and I marveled at their ability to hold our weight. I ate my food, still in my jetlagged daze.

Then my little chair exploded. I mean, just shot apart beneath me. I didn’t feel like I fell so much as I had just been teleported flat onto the ground.

I wore my salad home. No injuries sustained.

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Have you seen any of the wacky reality TV/game shows they have over there? The Japanese stuff makes American trash TV look downright amateur. I’m starting to think that your slapstick adventures are being secretly filmed and broadcast all over Japan—imagine backroom deals between the JET program and NHK. Look out for camera crews, bro…
— Jim Ray 1363 days ago #
Man, my TV doesn’t work. The antenna’s broke, but I’m too intimidated to head to an electronics store yet…

I’ll be sure to make frequent funny faces, in case there are cameras.
— saleem 1363 days ago #

Halfie the Half-blood falls off his bike | I Don't Know if I Like Pippi Longstalkings