I went Japan for the first time in 1996 as an American International Exchange, Japan scholar. I had my first cell phone and made the ringtone of Doraemon. We had a great time exploring the Kansai area by bus and train. Once we went to Bob’s bar where one of our students was a DJ. We saw a group of men playing pool. At first, I assumed that they were Cuban, but you know what they say about assuming! They were actually from the Dominican Republic and were working as exporters of Japanese auto parts to the Dominican. They were working under the direction of a Chinese woman who was very demanding. We saw a lot of them over the course of the time we were in Japan and played a lot of pool and went bowling and explored a lot of restaurants and landmarks such as the Kiyo Mizo-dera. We saw Noh theater and had our first introduction to Geisha and Sumo. One of our teachers showed us Shiko Funjatta, a film about a woman Sumo wrestler. It sticks with me to this day. We also found an international food store where we could buy things like Brownies. I made brownies for my friends one day and they were appalled with how much oil was added. On the same evening, we had umeshuu, plum wine. It was boiled and put over ice cubes.
Our dorms were for two roommates to sleep on futons on tatami mats with ONE phone per room. I enjoyed the simplicity of life in Japan and learned how to make Raku pottery, although I SUCKED at it haha. I also took Japanese and tried Kenpo Karate.
I started dating one of the Dominican men we met at Bobs. He went by the nickname Kico and he took chances like ice skating with me. The day I was due to return to Chicago, he asked me to marry him. I let him know that I wanted to finish school before I committed to marriage. So, teary-eyed, we said our goodbyes and I headed back to Chicago to finish up my credits and graduate. Kico and I stayed in touch by phone and made plans to see each other again.
Life changing event 