Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

Today was a very special day, it was my birthday! I turned 21 in Kyoto, far from my family, but my friends made the day unforgettable.

As I was on FaceTime with my sister and mom, Annika snuck out of the room to meet Niki. They knocked on the door and, to my complete surprise, were holding a strawberry cake with 2 and 1 candles stuck in the center, lit and glowing, singing “Happy Birthday to Me.”

It was so special that my sister and mom were on the phone to be part of the experience. After I hung up with them, I opened little gifts that Annika and Niki had gotten me. For context, last night Annika told me she was “going for a walk to call her mom.” Turns out she and Niki met up and were running around Kyoto getting me gifts and the cake. I had absolutely no idea, so this was a surprise executed flawlessly.

Later, I asked Annika about planning the surprise. She told me she’d been thinking about it for days, excited to make my birthday special even though we’re so far from home. “I really wanted to surprise you,” she said with a huge smile. “Seeing your face when we walked in with the cake was everything.” Niki chimed in that they were both nervous I’d wake up or catch them sneaking around. They admitted they felt a bit guilty lying about the “walk to call her mom,” but watching me blow out the candles made it worth it. Both of them said that being able to celebrate together in Japan made them appreciate how close we’ve all become on this trip, that creating these moments for each other has become just as meaningful as the cultural experiences we’re having.

After the small morning celebration—at 6 am, mind you—I called more friends and family, ate breakfast, and then was on my way to Ritsumeikan Primary School where we were spending the day. After orientation and the first tour, each group was split up to join our own group of kids. We were each met with a handcrafted poster with our names on it saying “welcome,” made by the students. They had a 1-minute challenge to say as much about themselves in English as they could. We then answered questions about ourselves and showed them our personal slideshows.

After a few hours of playing uno, it was time for lunch. If you didn’t know, Japanese children serve their own food to each other. Some kids are designated servers and they set up the whole meal themselves. We watched as a child with a head covering and apron carefully poured bowls of stew, a rich, thick broth filled with tender chunks of potatoes and carrots. Mind you, they were 8 years old.

We sat and ate with the children, dipping our bread into the hearty stew and savoring the warm, comforting flavors. The children laughed and talked to each other in Japanese. I didn’t know what they were saying but knew that they were having a blast. I was just there, happy to be a part of it all, sharing a simple meal that somehow felt deeply special.

A highlight of my day at the elementary school was meeting a young boy who was very, very excited that it was my birthday. He pulled me to his desk where we took my welcome poster and a black marker, yellow and red crayon. He started writing “H A P P Y” then “B A ….” I could tell he got confused on how to spell birthday, so I told him each letter. He then wrote my name and drew a small cake, candle, and smiley face. He gave it to me happy and proud, and I showed my appreciation as best I could without being able to communicate verbally. It was so sweet.

After the day was over at the school, Niki, Annika, and I went shopping in the typhoon. We did not anticipate how windy and wet it would be. By the time we were done shopping, our white skirts had turned black at the bottom where they dragged on the floor. Our hair frizzy and everything soaked, we returned to the hotel to get ready for sumo!

Calvin, Niki, Annika, and I booked an interactive sumo wrestling show with all-you-can-eat and drink—we were so excited. The show started and we watched and cheered on the sumo wrestler representing our side of the theater. Then the announcers asked if anyone was interested in fighting one of the wrestlers. Calvin and I ran to the front in hopes of being chosen. The leader of the show had sticks, some plain and some with red dye at the bottom. The rule was if you pulled a stick with color, you could wrestle. After pulling the sticks, mine had no dye at the bottom, but Calvin graciously gave me his dyed stick so I could sumo wrestle for my birthday! Thank you again, Calvin.

In a happy turn of events, as I was pulling on my inflated sumo costume, Calvin came running to the back room where all participants were waiting. A boy had dropped out and Calvin was able to join! Perfect example of good karma!

Each participant went, and when it was my turn, I was so hyped. I announced to everyone at the show who I was and that it was my birthday. Everyone in the theater sang for me. Then, it was time to fight the 310-pound sumo wrestler. In my blow-up suit, I ran at him, just for him to swiftly, as if I was a piece of rice getting picked up by a chopstick, grab and lift me upside down over his shoulder. It was hilarious and the most memorable part of my birthday.

The show ended, we got pictures and walked around the area. This was probably the best birthday I’ve had, aside from not being with my family. I missed them a lot, but I am so grateful for the friends I’ve made here and everyone on the dialogue treating me so well and making me feel special on my birthday!