Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Mojo-west and my drinking problem.
Today I walked probably eight miles, all over Kyoto. I started from my place and made it all the way to Kitaoji and back. At Kitaoji I bought two shirts, shampoo, and what I thought was hand lotion but turned out to be soap.
The other night du ring a nighttime stroll I came across a club down the street by the name of "Mojo-West". Tonight I figured what the hell and walked over. Luckily the guy at the door spoke English and informed me that tonight was jazz night. I went in and ordered a coke and a cheeseburger. I asked the guy when the band would start and he walked over to a group of people off to the side who happend to BE the band, and spoke with them. They all walked over to me and bowed, asking me if I had any requests I would like to make. I told them Jaco, thinking of Alex, and they obliged. They were amazing.
After eating my food I figured I'd see if I could once again take advantage of the lax drinking laws for foreignors, and ordered a white russian, which I believe in Bailey's and milk. The bartender made me one and it was good, so I had another, and another.
During the band's intermission the pianist walked over and talked to me, asking me where I was from and whatnot. He's from Tokyo, and doesn't like Kyoto too much. He asked me how old I was and I told him eighteen, he then yells "EIGHTEEN!?" and I pointed to my drink and said "ssshhh".
"I did not hear anything!" says he, but by that time the bartenders heard. They sort of looked at each other uncomfortably and went "uhhhh."
The pianist informed me that just he and the sax player were going to be playing, I asked him if he heard Ben Folds before, he said he didn't and I had my Ipod with me so I let him listen, he enjoyed it. The bartender walked over to me and awkwardly asked me if I knew what a white russian was, and if I knew it had alcohol in it.
He was obviously trying to point out that I was underrage but was being Japanese about it, totally unconfrontational.
"Uhh, do you know what is in white russian?"
"I think Bailey's and milk?"
"Hmm... well I travel to Paris, they make white russian... no alcohol..."
"Oh really? Im pretty sure it contains alcohol."
"well, okay, so it tastes alright?"
"Yes, very good."
"Okay, Japanese usually do not make."
"Bigger glass is same price, do you want?"
"Sure."
With that he brought me an even bigger glass. That's four white russians, served to a two years underrage American. I love Japan.
I listened to the piano and sax for a good three hours, it sounded fantastic. Finally at about 12:30 they had an intermission and I decided to head out. The band walked over to me and bowed, and we shook hands. I told them I loved them and it was great, and asked them if they were going to have any shows. They said they were playing in Gion at the "Pickup" on Saturday, so I may go there.
Mojo-west has blues tommorrow, then acoustic, and then rock, I'm thinking of going every night, I had so much fun.
The other night du ring a nighttime stroll I came across a club down the street by the name of "Mojo-West". Tonight I figured what the hell and walked over. Luckily the guy at the door spoke English and informed me that tonight was jazz night. I went in and ordered a coke and a cheeseburger. I asked the guy when the band would start and he walked over to a group of people off to the side who happend to BE the band, and spoke with them. They all walked over to me and bowed, asking me if I had any requests I would like to make. I told them Jaco, thinking of Alex, and they obliged. They were amazing.
After eating my food I figured I'd see if I could once again take advantage of the lax drinking laws for foreignors, and ordered a white russian, which I believe in Bailey's and milk. The bartender made me one and it was good, so I had another, and another.
During the band's intermission the pianist walked over and talked to me, asking me where I was from and whatnot. He's from Tokyo, and doesn't like Kyoto too much. He asked me how old I was and I told him eighteen, he then yells "EIGHTEEN!?" and I pointed to my drink and said "ssshhh".
"I did not hear anything!" says he, but by that time the bartenders heard. They sort of looked at each other uncomfortably and went "uhhhh."
The pianist informed me that just he and the sax player were going to be playing, I asked him if he heard Ben Folds before, he said he didn't and I had my Ipod with me so I let him listen, he enjoyed it. The bartender walked over to me and awkwardly asked me if I knew what a white russian was, and if I knew it had alcohol in it.
He was obviously trying to point out that I was underrage but was being Japanese about it, totally unconfrontational.
"Uhh, do you know what is in white russian?"
"I think Bailey's and milk?"
"Hmm... well I travel to Paris, they make white russian... no alcohol..."
"Oh really? Im pretty sure it contains alcohol."
"well, okay, so it tastes alright?"
"Yes, very good."
"Okay, Japanese usually do not make."
"Bigger glass is same price, do you want?"
"Sure."
With that he brought me an even bigger glass. That's four white russians, served to a two years underrage American. I love Japan.
I listened to the piano and sax for a good three hours, it sounded fantastic. Finally at about 12:30 they had an intermission and I decided to head out. The band walked over to me and bowed, and we shook hands. I told them I loved them and it was great, and asked them if they were going to have any shows. They said they were playing in Gion at the "Pickup" on Saturday, so I may go there.
Mojo-west has blues tommorrow, then acoustic, and then rock, I'm thinking of going every night, I had so much fun.
|| Jake Zigler, 12:02 PM
14 Comments:
Oh noes, Jake is becoming a raging alcoholic! :o Just kidding Jake. Try to take it easy on the booze...geez.
the conversation confused me a little tryin to figure out who said what, but i think i got it...
i love how we knows your underage though and just offers you a bigger glass of it...
i love how we knows your underage though and just offers you a bigger glass of it...
Jacob ! You are not there to DRINK !! Get back on the program and do what you're there for - traveling and taking in the sights. NO ONE is there to rescue you if you get in trouble. BE GOOD ! love, mom
Jake that's great about the Jazz.. I'm glad I'm your heart for Jaco!! Anyway the White Russian story is great. I'm taking you to any bar in a foreign country to do the explining for me.
I'm waiting for a postcard and not of a Japanese toilet facility or the Mojo-West.
Keep having legal fun.
Keep having legal fun.
Please watch your language or I'm going to throw against the wall when you get home. I know you are bigger than me!!!
Japanese stamps and postmarks are nice to have on a postcard??? (hint)
you know what? I think you are in Japan, too. Greetings.
Hey Jake its your WAHS Gaijin buddy, I am just saying that you are living my dream of the Kyoto night life and I am envious!
Paul, I love you.
When I get back we'll have to hang out sometime, I don't think we ever have before; it is unfortunate.
I went to Arashiyama today and walked up a MOUNTAIN but I got a spectacular view (Japan always seems to indulge us with those) but most of all, the mountain is known for its monkeys.
Yes, monkeys. They aren't in cages. The monkeys walk around freely like the deer in Nara. You could touch them, if you wanted your fingers eaten off.
The pamphlet said "Please do NOT look monkeys in the eye." so I was a little weary, they are agressive when they start fighting each other, I wouldn't want to think what they could do to a human, even though they are small.
Pretty soon I'm going to the Mojo, for some acoustic music. Im pretty sure two women are going to play the shamisen, which will be awesome. When I get home I'll update.
When I get back we'll have to hang out sometime, I don't think we ever have before; it is unfortunate.
I went to Arashiyama today and walked up a MOUNTAIN but I got a spectacular view (Japan always seems to indulge us with those) but most of all, the mountain is known for its monkeys.
Yes, monkeys. They aren't in cages. The monkeys walk around freely like the deer in Nara. You could touch them, if you wanted your fingers eaten off.
The pamphlet said "Please do NOT look monkeys in the eye." so I was a little weary, they are agressive when they start fighting each other, I wouldn't want to think what they could do to a human, even though they are small.
Pretty soon I'm going to the Mojo, for some acoustic music. Im pretty sure two women are going to play the shamisen, which will be awesome. When I get home I'll update.
I use too many commas, I think.
Too many!? Far too few my boy. Far too few...
nice page jake. ya I'm really mad i can't see ya though. Hopefully i'll be coming down again soon. But don't worry about that. You're in JAPAN! Have a good time and keep the page going. Hope to hear from ya soon.
Why don't you update anymore? "When I get home I'll update." <--Did you mean when you get home to the States or to the house in Japan?
You are not in Japan anymore, are you?
You are not in Japan anymore, are you?
