Blogging Miles Around the Metro

I was surprised to know that Brazilians actually comprise the third largest foreign group in Japan. I have often wondered how Brazilians adapt themselves to Japanese culture which is as opposed to the geographic locations of these countries on the planet. The Japanese are polite, restrained and subtle, while Brazilians are warm, energetic and expressive. Once a year, Asakusa in Tokyo celebrates these differences and the history of these countries together through a day-long festival of feathers, sequins, bikinis, and samba; the Asakusa Samba Festival.

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” Style detached from content.
A fatal attraction to cuteness.
Style is style.
Fashion is fashion.
Girl, you got style. ”

We already know that Gwen Stefani made waves when she confessed that she’s a fan of Harajuku Girls. I’ve seen them around Tokyo but never took pictures. And so one time, I finally did! They just basically sit around Harajuku, near the entrance to Meiji shrine on Sundays. People pass by, gawk, AND take pictures. And they will readily pose for you too!

Most of the girls are hobbyists. Yes, the stuff they wear like the gothic lolita dresses are handmade, and it’s their hobby to show off their creations. The streets are literally like a catwalk of color and different styles. Many young Japanese designers also sell their clothes in Harajuku, and the most popular haunt is Takeshita doori.

So far, the styles have been classified as gothic lolita, gothic maid, wamono (a fusion of Japanese and western clothes), second-hand fashion, cyber, and decora. Harajuku is vibrant and pulsating, it seems that half of Japan’s young ‘uns are prowling the streets, waiting to be seen.

Unsurprisingly, I also saw some foreigners trying to get into the Harajuku vibe. Some are dressed for the occassion, while others hold up “Free Hug” signs, and sell artworks. If you’re a fan of youth culture, Harajuku is definitely on your must-see list!

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And we welcome another writer, blogging miles all the way from Japan.

Herbkins wanders aimlessly through life in Japan as a professional learner, moonlighting as a teacher, thesis writer, graphic designer and illustrator. She is currently trying to learn several languages through absorption and eavesdropping, and now cannot speak a single sentence in one.

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This piece of news has been grabbing alot of the headlines in Bangkok recently. 22 year old Thai actress Amey Chotirot, wore a particularly revealing dress held together by a shoelace. . Check out the clip below of her attending the local awards show:

She was later hauled in front of a disciplinary panel and reprimanded for acting in a very promiscuous manner. She was even quizzed by the officials as to whether she was wearing any knickers beneath the dress. Despite her insistence that she did, the panel concluded differently and sentenced her to 15 days of community service.

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Hey, a Filipina’s been nominated under the Comedy category of the 2006 YouTube Awards. Christine Gambito, known to the world as Happy Slip, took YouTube by storm with her one-woman-produced videoclips of silly sketches that demonstrate the most comedic Pinoy quirks. The nominated clip, Mixed Nuts is below, but I personally think Love At First Sight is funnier.

Vote Happy Slip’s Mixed Nuts for the Best Comedy video, should you please (or out of sheer Pinoy pride, haha).

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Here’s something interesting. I only just found out, my friend Morgan is riding around Bangkok on a motorbike she recently acquired. She’s probably the only farang (foreigner) lady who is doing this in Bangkok. I have not encountered anyone else. I think she’s really brave to venture out on a motorbike in this city. Although it might not be the safest thing to do, I guess she’s able to weave around traffic and get to places quicker. Morgan told me that acquiring the bike was part of fulfilling a lifelong dream that she’s had. She claims, it’s not just a cost effective way to get around the city, it also gives her a strong sense of freedom.

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