中古自転車！ My New Bicycle!

So, the big thing I did today was purchase a 中古自転車 (chuukojitenshya - "used bicycle"), which is actually a pretty lifestyle-changing thing in Japan. It's really bringing me back to the days when I lived in Okazaki (岡崎). Now I can fly around the city and save a lot of money on public transpo' and foot doctors.

The bike was ¥4,000, and with a lock, bell, and registration, the total was about ¥5,800 (~$75). Not too shabby. Plus, it's a damn slick ride. Seriously, I'm actually really, really psyched to own this bike. I'll put some "beauty shots" up soon.

Today I also went to the municipal office of my ward (上京区 - kamigyou-ku) and applied for my gaijin card, which is basically an alien identification card. Everything was smooth, except for the interactions I had at the photo store. See, I had to print out 2 passport photos, and once I found a place that could print them, I went from the store to my house three times because each time, the photos I brought weren't up to Japanese passport standards. Eventually, I just took a huge photo (I was quite small in it), and the photo guy cropped it and adjusted the levels.

Went to Mos Burger (a quite tasty Japanese burger franchise), and once I finished my meal, was delighted to find a very cute paper placemat. On it were about 45 little anthropomorphized hamburgers, each depicting a cultural aspect of a certain Japanese town. God damn awesome is what it is. I've attached the little guys below.

Tonight I'll be screening Animal House for some of my housemates. Sake will be consumed and many a laugh will be had. I plan on showing the movie to my class, so I want to gauge the reactions of some locals first.

See you soon.

---Walker