Well, we didn't get a White Christmas, but with the first snowfall of the season today we could finally celebrate a White International Hot and Spicy Food Day*.
We headed straight to the local park and watched enviously as a few families tobogganed down the hills. We would definitely have gone and bought a sled or toboggan if we knew where they are sold, but where the hell do you find that kind of thing in Tokyo? Anyway, there were surprisingly few people in the park, which is odd because the place is usually teaming with children and dogs, I'm pretty sure nobody likes snow better than children and dogs.
Anyway, with no sleds there was only one thing to do- make snowmen. We each made one, and not that it was a competition or anything, but totally kicked his ass. I was done my entire snowman before he was even done his base. I even have proof. He claims to have once lived in Hokkaido, but there really is no evidence of that in his snowmaking skills. I guess all those years living in California softened him up.
One of the interesting things about living in a different country is discovering how people here do everything completely wrong things differently from people in Canada. One example is this: instead of putting up with snow falling in our faces like Canadians do, the Japanese use umbrellas. Actually, I think that's a brilliant idea, and I've taken it up myself. Another difference is this:
Japanese snowmen have only two parts! How crazy is that? It's not just Hideaki either, the park was filled with snowmen- I swear to god, there were more snowmen than humans- kinda creepy. Most of them (the snowmen, I mean) were no taller than knee-height for some reason, and they all had two parts. I'm not sure why- I could be a reflection of different body types, or it could be because people here just tire out quickly and can't be bothered with a three-part snowman.
Anyway, I decided that my snowman, with all those extra curves, must actually be a snow-woman. So we had a snow-couple. Awww, cute aren't they?
Here's Hideaki with our snow-couple. I know his looks bigger than mine, but that's just because of the angle of the pictures. You know, perspective and stuff.
But one thing I'll admit- his snowman tasted way better than mine.
* There seems to be some controversy here. My Simpsons calendar says International Hot and Spicy Day is today, but some web sources say it was on the 16th. I hope I haven't made a grave error here.
A two-part snowman? Who ever heard of such a thing? Although they are awfully cute.
And I have to give props to the Japanese about the umbrella and snow thing. We here in the United States, even those of us in Minnesota where it snows all the time, aren't bright enough to think of that, either. Hmmm.
Posted by: Dasha | 2006.01.21 at 11:10 PM
Amy'
Odd looking snowmen with only 2 parts....
Hasn't anyone in Japan read "Frosty the Snowman" with pictures>>???????? How conditioned are we? ha ha....
Posted by: Carlyn | 2006.01.22 at 07:14 AM
I'm from Hawaii and even I know that snowpeople (politically correct??) have 3 parts to them...you guys sure had a LOT of snow, here in Osaka, we didn't get squat...
Enjoy your posts!
Posted by: Kat | 2006.01.22 at 08:42 AM
oops, I'm also guilty of two part snowman!
ever heard of two-part snowman with hands?
i'm glad u got your share of snow now. it's been very cold in japan this year and most places are getting more snow than usual.
Posted by: tabehodai | 2006.01.22 at 11:15 AM
I suppose "daruma" are a bit more pear-shaped than a snowman, so maybe that's why "yuki-daruma" are only two pieces.
Oh, by the way, I tagged you for the "too much information" meme if you're amenable and haven't already hidden a response to it in your archives somewhere. Check for details on my blog (January 19).
http://blog.jagaimo.com/archive/2006/01/19/2142.aspx
Posted by: Jason Truesdell | 2006.01.22 at 04:27 PM
Thanks for the tag Jason. You're right, Japanese snowmen do reseble daruma. But I wonder what came first- the name or the shape?
Posted by: Amy | 2006.01.22 at 08:39 PM
WOW that looks great! just enough snow to play in, but not so much that it's too much of an incovience...perfect. i envy the seasons you have. here in so. california it's 75 today and doesn't ever feel like winter. you should see all the coats i have with tags still on them!
Posted by: Paula | 2006.01.23 at 03:14 AM
Looks like you had a great time in the snow on Saturday! I'm so glad it fell on a weekend so I could go outside and play in it. I'm American, and I don't understand the two-part snowman phenomena, either...it has bugged me for all five and a half years I've been living here! That and why I have to buy chocolate on Valentine's Day for old men in the office toward whom I have no romantic feelings whatsoever...ha ha.
Posted by: drh | 2006.01.23 at 03:35 PM
Paula, snow is lots of fun for a day or two, but I'm glad it doesn't come very often here. A mild and warm California winter sounds like paradise to me.
Drh, it was very nice of the weatherman to send the snow on the weekend! Perfect timing.
I didn't realize Valentine's Day is coming soon! Makes me glad that I work at home- the only person who gets chocolate is my husband.
Posted by: Amy | 2006.01.24 at 11:27 PM
You guys got a lot more snow than we did....we only ended up with 2 inches or so. Lucky!
Posted by: Jennifer Pack | 2006.01.29 at 10:27 PM
Well, I think we got more anywhere else in Tokyo. Never seen so much snow here!
Posted by: Amy | 2006.02.01 at 12:35 PM