Two new experiences of communication with foreign traveler

First of all, I invited a Singaporean couple to my house, because I trusted them fairly well.

I exchanged emails with the husband several times before they visited Japan, and I could get to know about his family, job etc.

Actually it is one of  my dreams to tell people about Japanese food, especially my hometown’s local food.

Although I stopped organizing my food event in Tokyo, at that time I wanted to popularize “Tarai udon”(my hometown’s local food), so I sometimes had events.

When I decided to invite them to my house, I asked my aunt to send me some “Tarai udon”.

It was very nice time to eat it with them.

To tell the truth, it was my husband that cooked not only Udon but also other Japanese dishes.

After lunch, I played the Shamiesen for them, and told them about Kimono culture a little.

I want to keep in touch with them, because it was also a lot of fun for me.

Next, I guided a Finish guy who contacted me via CouchSurfing.com.

We exchanged emails several times and discussed some topics before he came to Japan, so when I met him for the first time, I felt like we were already friends.

It was my first experience of CS(Couch Surfing).

As I wrote about him in my previous article, he was really kind and gentle.

At first, we met in Kanda, and went to a cafe and an Izakaya(Japanese restaurant or pub), where we talked about many topics.

Second, I joined an international gathering which he had told me about, in Siba park.

I met several people of 6 different nationalities!

I enjoyed this event.. but to tell the truth, I like more deep discussions with small groups of people than such large events.

However, I like cultural and international events, so if I had have continued to organize my own event, maybe I would not feel this way.

But now I want to communicate with a few people at a time, and become close friends with them.

Third, the Finish guy and I did some shopping on the weekend.

I think if my English was better, I could have helped his shopping more!

I’m planning to meet an Italian guy( I already met his sister, who studies Japanese and Japanese culture in Tokyo! ) , another woman who will come here from the UK, and a guy who comes from Morocco, who will be in Tokyo till August.

I hope our gatherings will be nice and we will become good friends.