I've settled in to my classes finally - even if I have to wake up early every morning... but anyway...
Lately, I've been noticing the fashion selection of uni students, especially girls: A lot of them are wearing high heels, which compared to my uni back home is a really odd choice of footwear. One of my Korean classmates has apparently decided to follow suit today, and it ended humorously with her having to grab on to me to walk to a restaurant for lunch. However, since I had no more classes by lunch time, I was on my way back to the dorm, though that didn't stop her from using me as a human crutch for part of the trip.
Considering that students are having some difficulty with walking in high heels (such as my classmate), I'm left wondering: why? I can sort of understand if it was in a office environment (which I have worked in a few years ago), but in the context of a university environment? it seems really odd. Well, not that I'm making any intention of trying to change Japan's fashion taste - you might as well ask me to move an airplane with my teeth alone.
On another fashion observation, wearing sunglasses seems to be a rarity around Kyoto. Ninety percent of the time, I'm usually the only person around wearing sunglasses. I guess that makes it easier for everyone to spot me (as being a foreigner already makes me stand out). It's funny how wearing sunglasses is such a common occurrence back in Australia, but such a rarity here.
Also, another thing that bothers me is not being able to find antiperspirant deodorant. Sure, they have deodorant, but it's a real annoyance to be walking to uni and then find massive sweat patches under my arms, which is especially bad during humid weather (and it's also starting to get warm recently). Fortunately, I received a parcel from my parents after I spoke to them last week about this particular grievance (among other topics). On top of getting a new pair of (really comfortable) sneakers, some cooking recipes I forgot to take with me before leaving Australia, some various general medicines and a letter and photo of the family and I at the airport on the day I was leaving, they also included 6 lots of roll-on antiperspirant. I used some today, and it makes a hell of a difference - no sweat patches under my arms at all, and it was humid today too. I was speaking to them yesterday and made sure to let them know that I received the package and thanked them for it.
That's it for me at the moment. However, there's a chance I'll probably post another rant/observation some time this month. Ja ne, minna.
