Relocation Lie # 1: You can easily find all the comforts of home in your new country.
We searched high and low for a grill that could handle 20 burgers and 10 hot dogs at a time. We listened to tall tales about magical stores with outdoor patio furniture. Ultimately, we ventured to the mystical land of the internet and had everything shipped from the US.
We searched high and low for a grill that could handle 20 burgers and 10 hot dogs at a time. We listened to tall tales about magical stores with outdoor patio furniture. Ultimately, we ventured to the mystical land of the internet and had everything shipped from the US.
The grill and furniture arrived the day after we returned from Vietnam. Chris was still off from work. The stars had aligned. We would soon be open for business!
First, we needed to invent fire. Propane tanks are hard to come by in Japan. Propane tanks larger than a can of Coke are even harder to find. Fortunately we had the foresight to acquire a grill with gas/charcaol capabilities. We ventured to Don Quixote (the ubiquitous duty free store that carries everything) and cleaned out their entire stock of charcoal.
As soon as Chris had assembled the table and barbecue he popped open a Grolsch for the innaugural toast and set the BBQ ablaze. Like the Olypic flame - it has yet to go out. Our first meal was the staple of American outdoor cuisine - hot dogs! Accompanied by hot sausage, peppers, onions and bread.After our delicious lunch we headed out that evening for the 2nd Annual Brown Beer Festival at the Black Lion in Meguro (10 minute subway ride away). For 1500 yen each we were able to sample 3 half pints of fine artisanal beer. The beers were broken down into three categories: Easy-drinking (sissy beer), mid strength (now you're talking) and strong/robust (this will put hair on your chest).
Nic's first beer, Fujizakura Rauchbier or "smoked beer", was very true to its name. It tasted like a smoked ham. Apparently, the malt is smoked during kilning to give the beer it's unique flavor. Nic's next beer was Liefmans Oud Bruin. This beer is fermented in open vats with a yeast strain passed down from the Rodenbach brewery (we have no idea what that means but it sounds impressive). It tasted like a mixture of beer and cider and after some time, just started to taste like vinegar, yum! Nic's last beer was Aizu Beer Beethoven Marzen - the best of her three. Chris - notorious for short term memory loss and general lack of caring didn't like his first two and really liked the third - names forever to remain a mystery.
Here's the link to the Black Lion if you want to check it out: http://www.blacklion.jp/
After the beer festival we headed over to the apartment of our friends Stacey and Logan for a friendly game of Texas Hold 'Em with some other friends. Lady luck was not on our side and we lost thousands of yen (don't worry every US$1 = about 118 yen).
