Japanese department stores are lovely by the way. All the workers stand by their stations and call out 'welcome' to you as you pass by or just pass any where near them. They bow to you constantly and smile widely (almost psychotically, almost). Everything is arranged in an aesthetically pleasing almost artist way. Great pains are taken to be helpful and if you buy something they wrap it beautifully and present it to you with ceremony. It is oh so deliciously Japanese. Japan is big on hospitality and to see this demonstrated at its fullest, walk into a department store.
I walked past several stands and displays with employees calling out 'welcome' cheerfully. I spotted Harrod's right away. I was welcomed and bowed in and took a seat. The server brought me a menu. I chose the 'tea set'. Sets are huge here. A set is just a certain combination of something on a menu that will get you a good value for the price. For example this tea set came with two scones and hot black tea for 1155 yen (around 12 dollars). If you had bought the items individually it would have been more expensive. So that kind of 'set' option is really popular and I have seen it on almost every menu I have laid eyes on in Japan.
When the tea came I was really surprised though! I had been expecting the usual, a warmed cup and my own little pot of piping hot tea. The pot would normally contain two, maybe two and a half cups in it. But the server also placed an additional larger pot on the table that was full of steaming water. Which meant I had two pots worth of tea!! :D The server also put a small sandglass on the table. When all the sand had reached the bottom the tea would be ready to pour. I also got a small pitcher of milk, a bowl of sugar cubes, and a little device to strain the tea leaves as I poured the tea into the cup. It was an amazing set up and I kicked myself for not bringing my camera.
The scones came before all the green sand particles fell. I got a raisin scone and a plain scone. I also got butter and jam. The scones, while tasty, were probably sweeter than traditional British scones but they weren't too sweet. I enjoyed my gorgeous and scrumptious meal. It was my second breakfast but I didn't care and I took my sweet time. I was feeling content and not frantic for the first time in a long while. I ate every morsel and drained every drop of my 'tea set' and leisurely warmed my hands on the cup and tea pots all the while. I inhaled the smell of the tea and felt like I was in some kind of dream-like meditation. Every now and again Japan will cast this kind of spell on me. Even though I was in an English style tea cafe enjoying tea and scones, I hadn't felt a deeper Japanese cultural experience in quite some time. I reluctantly left my peaceful reverie of thought and decided I had to get to work. I paid and thanked the waitress.
I walked calmly despite being outside (I usually try to get that over with as soon as possible). I had my large umbrella (to help block the sun) and my arm covers (recently invested in them). I got to MER (My English Room) and spent the next few hours helping clean out and reorganize the storage nook. I told my boss about visiting Harrod's and she once again told me the scones are sweeter than British scones.
I am back now in my dorm room and hope to get several things done before I go to sleep. I am tired as always but I feel so grateful for today. I hope I can return to Harrod's soon, perhaps with a coworker or with my host mom. For now I will revisit it in my mind and wrap myself in the memory. Such experiences really re-invigorate the body and soul.
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