Couldn't Make It Up If I Tried

I arrived in Okayama last night a little after 7 and was super hungry. I walked the 500 meters from the station to the hostel and on the way passed an awesome looking tiny little restaurant that I wanted to try.  So after checking and meeting the two German guys in my room at the hostel  (which by the way takes me back to freshman year.....and it is awesome), I walked back to Docheche, the restaurant I had passed on the way. I have more pictures I can try and upload later.  Technology has been a little bit of a challenge the last 24 hours.

I walked in and noticed there were seats for about 14 people, give or take 0.  There was also a guitar in the corner.  I love live music by the way.

I ordered dinner and it was incredible.  I started communicating with the cook who didn't speak much English.  We used Google Translate a little.  I asked him if anyone was playing tonight. He asked if I played and I said "only a little."  The gentleman to my left then piped up and he stated that he played a little.  The woman that was also working there then started speaking English and encouraged us to play after we finished eating.

So.  I finished eating and within about 30 seconds the cook brought out two more guitars and handed one to me and one to the other guy.  He said "blues?"  So I started playing a couple of bluesy chords and off we went into a world of music, fun, energy and connection.  And by the way, BOTH of them were EXCELLENT guitar players.  They are on the level of my friend Pete.

I was in heaven.  I mean.  Seriously.  Here I am in Okayama, Japan with two locals that barely speak English and yet we are able to connect through music.  I can't explain in words how much I enjoyed it.  Let's be clear:  I'm an average AT BEST guitar player and both of these guys can rip it up, and yet they were super gracious to me and helped me learn some new things while being able to play along with them.

There is something about playing music that brings people together.  It created a space for me to be creative and to PLAY with both of these guys.  I felt lighter and happier once we were done playing.

We played about three long jams and the customer that played with us left.

That's when the cook, the woman (who turned out to be his girlfriend) and I started talking. Kumi and  Yasu were their names with the latter being the male.  I know I'm butchering their spellings but it's as close as I can get.

We talked music, about their lives and businesses (they live above the restaurant), South Carolina and my life and it was awesome.  Simply awesome.

Here's me telling on myself:  I have passed countless restaurants during my time here because of fear.  Yep. And not because I was afraid of the people and getting hurt.  No.  Although that happens from time to time.  No.  This fear had to do with me looking like a fool.  The fear that this American boy was going to annoy the restaurant folks.

So.

Last night I stepped in one of the restaurants.  And guess what?  Yep. It was awkward.  And yep it was freaking awesome.  The truth is that it is REALLY difficult to communicate with Japanese folks that don't speak much English.   Last night was one of those nights.  And yet Kumi  did the best she could talking with me and translating for Yasu and I employed a little Google Translate to help as well.  (Pro tip:  download the language of the county or counties visiting before getting there so it can be used offline.  You're welcome.). Even with the awkwardness and the times that they couldn't understand me and vice versa, there was still connection.  Fun.  And lots of it.

Yasu and I played a few more songs together.  I showed him and played some of the artists that I love right now (David Ramirez, Amos Lee, and I also played a little Ray Lamontagne for him.....hysterically he nailed Ray's last name on his first shot).  Kumi and I connected on Facebook. And I called it a night after a long day of travel and sightseeing.

It was time for pictures and Kumi started to wonder how we were all going to fit in the picture.  Oh yeah, she wanted the four other ladies that were in the restaurant to be in the picture. So I just flipped my camera around and lifted my hand in the air to show her we could do it.  Her reaction was priceless:  she said "ohhhhhhhhhh wowwwwwww," like I was 7 feet tall.  Cracks me up still to think about it and to look at the picture.

With pictures taken, it was time to say goodbye.  And say goodbye we did, vowed to stay in touch and I left.  I left the restaurant.

I got about 25 feet from the restaurant and Yasu calls my name and runs down the street towards me.  I figured I had forgotten my wallet.  And yet he hands me a pen.  Like a click writing pen.  I told him I thought it was his, that I didn't leave it behind.   He said, "No, no.  Gift."

I'm feeling so much as I relive this story.  I feel loved.  Accepted.  Warm.   Yasu gave me a pen.  He could have given me a napkin for all I care.  But for him to give me something from the heart means the absolute world to me.

I'm tempted to make a generalization about all Japanese people here, rather I'm just going to speak about Yasu and Kumi.  They are two of the most lovable and welcoming creatures I've ever encountered on this earth.  They provided me with one of the greatest nights I have ever had while traveling.....possibly ever. And to think:  had I listened to my fear, I would have never met them. I would have never felt love and given love to them. I showed up. And that happened.  I showed up.  And magic happened.  I'm not saying that I'm magic, no.  I'm just saying I learned last night that showing up as Brian.....like really showing up.....magic happens. Last night it happened in the form of music and laughter and connection.  The next time?  Who knows.  Here's the good news:  I don't have to control nor label what happens.

I can just show up and experience.