And 10 hours later...I exit my food coma. Yes, I have been literally dizzy due to an overdose of sugar caused by something I ate 10 hours ago. Doesn't sound so bad does it? Trust me when I say it was worse than swine flu. No, I'm exaggerating, but that really was the worst stomach ache I have had in a very long time.
So here's the story: John loves food. Loves it. Never stops talking about it or thinking about it. Everyone knows this by now, including Professor Nishio, one of our professors here. So a couple of weeks ago, Professor Nishio told John about 'the unbelievable.' (Sounds ominous doesn't it?) We were all astounded and intrigued by 'the unbelievable' and bragged how there was no way it was too 'unbelievable' for us. But really, something called 'the unbelievable' doesn't seem like something you would ever actually encounter. But then, last week, Nishio-sensei very casually said, "Okay, so next week I'll take you to get 'the unbelievable.'" No problem. I looked forward to this class all week. I think perhaps one reason it is called 'the unbelievable' is because you really can't picture this thing. You have absolutely no idea what is in store for you. That is, until you reach Cat's Cafe. Quite a different Cat's Cafe than the one I've already visited. Now, in Japan, you see, it is believed that sight of food invokes hunger. So almost all restaurants will display plastic versions of the food they serve outside of the shop. So our first glimpse of 'the unbelievable' came before we even sat down. And let me tell you, when we sat down, we were positively shaking from fear. We all exchanged these looks that seemed to say, "What have we gotten ourselves into??" But Professor Nishio seemed positively chipper. He ordered our 'unbelievable' with a smile and then sat back and sipped his coffee. "You're going to help us right Nishio-sensei?" John asked. "Maybe I'll just have a couple if bites," he replied. Oh my, no. We are down to three people. "Better prepare ourselves, guys." Then Sean informed us that he can't eat a lot of sweet stuff. "Half a chocolate bar and I'm done," he said. Great, just perfect. John and I exchanged very worried glances. After the 20 mintues it took to make this monstrosity, it arrived. (That poor girl who had to make it..) We snapped some pictures and dug in. Fast-forward about 30 mintues, 'the unbelievable' is half-eaten and we are coiled over in our seat, seconds from vomiting. Oh yes, the first few minutes were heaven, the last 25 were like Chinese water torture: slow, painful, and all you can do is think about and dread the next drop.
Alright, I've kept you in suspense for long enough. What is 'the unbelievable' you ask? Well here it is (drum roll please):
'The unbelievable' is ice cream, whipped cream, cornflakes, ice cream, whipped cream, brownies, pudding, wafer, sorbet, fruit, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce and powdered sugar. (Layered a few times over.) Served in a bucket. Yes, a bucket. A bucket that was bigger than my head.
Why did I eat this? I have absolutely no idea.
I hope you enjoyed that. Now onto the real adventures.
Actually I only have one for you this week. On Saturday I ventured on my own to the little seaside town of Tokoname (and didn't get lost!!). Tokoname is famous for pottery throughout the world and is the top manufacturer of maneki-neko in Japan (that cute beckoning cat in the front of Asian stores). I am not normally a big fan of pottery but I needed something to do and Sean recommended it to me. It was actually very neat! (That's right I said neat.) When I got off the train, I popped into the tourist center to grab a map and followed it to the start of the "Pottery Walk" which takes you through the quaint little streets of Tokoname which are littered with pottery and pottery shops. And it's true, there were maneki-neko everywhere! Even a very large one overlooking the main road. It was all very adorable. I wandered along the path, browsed the little shops with their statues, vases, teapots and more, stopped to pet a couple of real 'neko,' watched numerous artists as they sketched the picturesque little town around them full of old looking rooftops and old pottery smokestacks, took lots of pictures, grabbed lunch and headed home. It was a very pleasant day.
I'm afraid that's all I've got this week. I am still really enjoying riding my bike to school. It's getting colder but I like riding my bike so much that I don't mind. I have a very full weekend starting tomorrow so I'll have lots to report next week. (A little something to look forward to for you procrastinators out there.)
Oh that's right, we also had a takoyaki party with our friends. Takoyaki parties involve making takoyaki (who'd have thought?!) which is a lot of fun and extremely delicious.
Have a good weekend and stay warm Vancouver.
Britt♥
PS. Next time someone suggests drowning your sorrows in a bucket of ice cream, take my advice and DON'T DO IT.
I miss eggnog lattes.
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