Princess on the Train

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

I slept in until noon, which wasn't surprising. It was lovely. Then it was time for me to get to work. I washed my hair, then rushed out to the hyaku-en stores to get elastic, white nail polish (for my nails), and hair spray. I had my hair, still damp, up under my hat. I ended up finding that Japan sells hair band elastic in long strips and you can cut and tie it yourself into the proper size. It was perfect! I nipped downstairs to the supermarket to grab some milk for pancakes.

I made chocolate chip pancakes quickly (and ate them with relish!) I did my nails while they cooked, which is why I burnt one (waste of chocolate!) and probably why my nails, when closely examined, look pretty bad. I then got dressed into my Leia shirt and skirt. My hair took all of 15 minutes, probably less, and I even redid the first bun to make it more even. It looked awesome. At this point, I was getting pressed for time, so I quickly threw on a little make-up and taped my belt on, grabbed my coat, purse, and camera and dashed out the door.

Walking down to the station, I got quite a few odd looks. As it was, I wasn't outrageously dressed. I had a black coat on and a white skirt, just very elaborate hair. On the platform, I got more looks and eventually settled into the train. I think my hairspray was reeking, but I can't quite tell.

I had to transfer, so I got off at Kusatsu and asked the stationmater for the proper platform. I headed over and saw people queuing to get on. I asked the last guy in line, who was already staring if this was the right train. He answered me in English, didn't know but his group (about five late-20s guys) went and proactively asked for me, which was a bit embarrassing, as my Japanese was certainly better and I pride myself on being independent. Turns out they were Filipino tourists.

On the train, I quickly sat down on a two-person seat next to a woman and they piled in on the empty seats in the area. They introduced themselves, asked where I was from, where I worked, the schools, how much Japanese I spoke. They asked where I was going and, to explain the hair, I said “A Halloween party. They asked if they could come. (“No.”) They asked if I was going home, and I said I was going to a friend's house. By this time, I was done with this attention and the way they would talk among themselves, then come forward with a new question for me. Eventually, one stood RIGHT NEXT TO ME, towering over me, and asked if I had Facebook (“no.”) a mobile phone (“no.” “No phone?!” “In America, yes.” “What's that number?” “That's my parents' number!”) or if I had an e-mail address (“No.”) Thankfully, my stop came up and I darted off.

I got waves from some girls in another compartment as the train pulled away. I had to be careful not to pull out my mobile phone to check the text with the directions until after the train had left.

I found Jamie's house quite easily and was drawn to the proper door by the many shoes on the stoop and the loud English voices from within. I was greeted by Jamie, who's first line was, “Oh no! You didn't!” upon seeing my hair. May then said, “Take it off!” and off my coat came and they could see the full Princess Leia costume.

They were still bustling about putting on make-up and costumes. They were doing a group costume (Andrew was there!) for Alice in Wonderland. The costumes were amazing, particularly the mad hatter. May was most excellent. I watched the Cheshire cat (with a freaky smile painted onto his face) stuff his costume with rolls of paper towel. We joked about him stuffing his pants. Someone else then got onto how it will either be much easier now or much more difficult if he has to pee later.

We then headed out the door in mass to the station. We attracted a lot of attention, which was really fun. Lots of dropped jaws and people staring backwards on bicycles. On the trains, we attracted the attention and adoration of some Japanese school girls, who adored us, especially the Cheshire cat and eagerly scooped up the playing cards that May was handing out. We had people covertly snapping pictures of us. Hint for other photographers: this is why I turn the shutter sound OFF on my camera.

We marched through the subway, as well, were we continued to attract attention. We always get stared at, we rationalized, but for once, it's justified and I know I'm not the only one who enjoyed it.

In Kyoto, we broke off and I joined the group going to Starbucks. I bought a scone for dinner. Most of the others were going for mystery meat noodles. At the shop, we met up with some other JETs, had some tourists ask to take our pictures, and watched as other JETs put their make-up on.

Then, we were off to the restaurant. We had an entire floor of the bar to ourselves. It took forever to get through the check in line, then it was into the room with 120 other JETs and friends. It was incredible. It was nomihode, which means all you can drink for the flat fee (included in entrance fee.) However, it was poorly planned with 120 foreigners and one bartender. As someone later said, clearly this was not organized by a Wisconsinite. In the end, I got one drink.

There were many pretty spectacular costumes, including Wilson, from Home Improvement (who won “most creative”), a member of the blue-man group (who won “scariest”), the players from Clue (who had the best dance routine), Ginny Weasley (who we'll get to in a second), Gandolf (who looked quite awesome and noble in his robes with long hair, Mario and Luigi (Luigi won “cutest” costume), a redneck Santa, a hamburger, Julie was a shower girl, french fries, Minnie mouse, Tacky American Tourists (played by a mother-son pair), Ghost Busters, Snow White, and so on. It was wonderful to see the creativity.

I had a red-head approach me and say she loved Star Wars and just had to tell me how much she loved my costume. I then, in turn, had to tell her that I loved Harry Potter and, thus, loved her Gryffindor robes. It eventually came out that this girl loved Harry Potter and Star Wars (like Alyssum), was frustrated about missing the midnight show at home and was dying to go with me when we worked together to organize something (like Alyssum), was a red-head, (like Alyssum), was from Wisconsin (like Alyssum and me). Her name was even a name Alyssum's mother considered for Alyssum. I then look at her cup and ask, “Bailey's?” and it was. It's her drink of choice, see, like mine (before I discovered Japanese plum wine, which I also like.) Whoh! We calmed down when we realized she went to college in Ohio. (I mentioned all this later to Alyssum, who called it “freaky!”)

So, we're going to go to the Harry Potter midnight showing together. I just need to figure out tickets. Yay! Err.......

Some groups had prepared choreographed dances, so everyone squeezed together as tightly as possible to avoid getting kicked in the small space. Afterward, we frantically voted on costume awards then prizes were announced and certificates were awarded. I was quite happy that Alice in Wonderland won best group costume. Afterward we all piled into the miniscule elevator (we had to get 120 people out in 15 minutes or we'd get fined) and gathered outside to the shock of passing Japanese. People eventually split off, some to clubs, so to home, some to pubs, and a big group down to the river. I needed to figure out when my last train was, so I stalked Andrew until he had a moment to look it up on his phone for me (as he wasn't sure if he'd be taking it or not.) I watched one JET have a seriously bad evening while the end of the group piled out.

I ended up walking down to the river with one of the AJET organizers, who was heading out to the pub with friends. He inquired as to where I was going – and I think was going to invite me along if I had no where else to go, as he seems like the reaching-out sort of guy.

By the river, I had to walk the last 200 feet by myself and was accosted by Japanese students who were absolutely in love with my hair. I know what it must feel like to be mobbed by the paparazzi now. Camera flashes going off everywhere, barely able to circle, completely surrounded, lots of talking from all sides. It was rather flattering. Once they had to head out, I made it down to the river were everyone else was gathered. I chatted a bit with people, listened a bit more, and somehow became temporary guardian of a former lightweight JET who had partied just a bit too much and didn't quite have her wits about her.

Eventually, I joined a group heading back and we all walked together to the station, where we continued to draw attention as we marched through the station in costume. We met up with more JETs, who passed the poor, drunk ex-JET to us and one of the other JETs said she'd bring the girl home with her as we didn't trust her to get herself home. On the train back up to home, everyone was exhausted and it had definitely been a long night.

But, despite it all, I still popped onto Skype quickly to show off my hair. Really, it turned out awesome.