often strange, always intriguing land of the Rising Sun and Vending Machines on
Every Street Corner. Yes, it's FRANCIS IN JAPAN!!!!
Translated from the French by Melanie Jackson, staff writer at Hom-UHT Publishing.
Read the original here at http://francisaujapon.blogspot.com/
The Japanese and Sarcasm
I’m waiting for Vanessa to post on her blog, concerning my trip.
A fact remains undeniable after spending a year and two months in Japan. The
Japanese take everything, everything, everything at face value.
Nicolas, the new French teacher at school (yes, someone who speaks French,
woohoo) didn’t have class in the afternoon and wanted to go out for lunch with me.
So, we left around twelve-thirty
and here is the conversation we had with the nice ladies in the jimusho (the
school office). A big window is the principal entrance of school. Of course, you
must remember that all that you will read took place in the language of Koizumi.
Me: I leave and I return! (A Japanese set expression)
Administration Woman: Take care of yourself. (The set response to the previous
expression). Mr Fortin, where are you going on this rainy Tuesday?
Me: To Canada.
Administration Woman: (Silence for one…two…three…four…five seconds).
Really? And are you going to return this afternoon?
Me: It’s a joke, I’m going to eat at the restaurant next door.
Administration Woman: Ah! I was worried, I thought that you were returning to
Canada…
Me: Okay, see you later.
A student greets me in Chinese…I respond to him in French.
A student wants to take me in her arms…I said that I have a cold beer.
A teacher talks to himself…I turn up the volume on my I-Pod.
Another teacher talks to himself…I wonder if I’m not going to do it too…I’ll update
you on this phenomenon soon.
I’m going to post some photos soon…party, beach, figures, I just have to sort
them out.
Last Series Watched: Rome (HBO) 8/10.
Last Book Read: Moon Palace, Paul Auster 9.5/10.
Book read: Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides.
Last CD listened to: The one sent by Vanou, 8.5/10.
before her surprise abduction by Aliums. Perhaps if she can someday be located
and returned to the Hom-UHT Publishing offices, then she will resume her
translation work.
Until that time, as a mark of respect for our fallen comrade, Hom-UHT Publishing
will refrain from translation of this and other blogs. Of course, it is still possible to
read the original, here: http://francisaujapon.blogspot.com/
