RasyaHumans, not places, make memories.
― Ama Ata Aidoo
I couldn’t believe that 3 years have passed since I first entered college. It still feels like yesterday when I’m still in my freshman year, trying my hardest to survive studying the Japanese language in a university at a countryside which I didn’t want to go to in the first place. I mean hello! I’ve just finally managed to feel at home in Tokyo and now, I’ve to move to the place that I have never heard of.
#NeverHeardOfHimejiBefore #IBetYouGuysKnowNothingAboutHimejiToo #Sad #WhyHimejIsNotAsPopularAsKyotoOrOsaka
But, as time flies, so does my heart, and I can say that now, Himeji is truly my second home. A place where I would feel at ease and comfortably live. With only 5 months left before the graduation ceremony in March, I’m desperate to create a lot of beautiful memories before leaving here for good. And what else would be a great thing to do than joining the once a year college festival to make an unforgettable memento to look at in the future.
Our college festival was held last weekend and this year, my friends and I decided to sell a Malaysian food called kaya balls. It looked like Takoyaki, except that instead of octopus, the filling is sweet creamy Kaya jam (according to Google: Kaya is coconut egg jam in English). I’m not sure whether other countries have the culture to held college/school’s festival but in Japan, after summer break ended and new semester kicks in, the college festival would be held between October and November. The festival is open for everyone and usually, celebrities would be invited to perform. #IThinkSouthKoreaHasCollegeFestivalsToo
PREPARATION BEFORE COLLEGE FESTIVAL
With the help of staffs at 交流センター, we used a lot of colourful paper boards to make our little tent’s decoration. Oh, and before I forgot, our shop’s name is Malaysia Boleh!. #ICanFeelThePatriotism #ProudToBeMalaysian
THE DAY OF THE COLLEGE FESTIVAL
Unfortunately, on the day of the college festival, the weather was not on our side. The sky looks gloomy and the next day, it rains so not a lot of people comes compared to the previous college festivals. BUT, all of our food managed to sold out before 4 p.m. #Alhamdulillah
Anyway, here’s why I love participating in college festival:
- A great place to get closer to the locals.
You know how the Japanese are one of the shyest people in the world. They wouldn’t try to start a conversation with you even though they’re curious and dying want to know more about you (well, the stares means something right?). Especially, when foreigners like me who is donning a colourful hijab and exotic traditional clothes that they’ve never seen before. That’s why college festival is great. The Japanese would found it easier to make a little talk with us when we try to sell them our Kaya ball because they know we can communicate with them using the Japanese language.
- A rare opportunity to introduce more about Malaysia to the Japanese. Our clothes, our food, what languages we used. A lot can be talked about.
- Earning money. I could earn money while having fun doing something together with my friends. #ThisKindOfLifeIsGood #LifeGoals
So, that’s my experience in joining college festival in Japan. Do you guys have any memories participating in something similar in the past? Tell me your story in the comments 😀
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34 comments
Hi Rasya! I’m so glad I found your blog — I love reading about people documenting their travel experiences, especially for Japan because ❤️😄!!! Japan is so beautiful and has such a unique culture. I’ve traveled to Japan several times before, and in one of those trips I found myself in this little rural village that had a local festival going on. There were dance performances from school students, delicious snack stalls, and so many unique things that can only be found in a Japanese festival — and the thing that made it really memorable was the fact that I seemed to be the only foreigner there. 😊 I wished I knew how to speak Japanese back then, because as you mentioned in your post, one of the loveliest things about traveling is being able to share your culture with people. I’m half-Cantonese and half-Caucasian, and grew up with both the American culture and Cantonese-Chinese culture in my home, so it’s very easy for me to start a conversation about culture with someone. 😋 It sounds like you have a similar experience in Japan?
I enjoyed reading your post! 😄
I’m glad that I found your blog too 😘 I always envy people who parents come from a completely two different culture because their kids can get the best of both worlds by learning more languages and cultures. But there’s must be a downside too, right?
Aww, you sound like you had a blast in Japan. The best place in Japan is not the city, it’s the countryside. Well, I used to be a really shy and introverted person but after coming here, I changed (still an introvert tho) and began to love starting a conversation with strangers. I want to hear their stories and what they think about my country.
Thank you for the lovely comment xD
wah menarik
x ramai org tapi habis juga jualan kira ok la tu 🙂
Tulah. Alhamdulillah. Rezeki.