how to be famous

You might've wondered about why I'm wearing a kimono in some of those pics I sent out. I didn't exactly know why I was wearing it at the time. I found out later. It was because I'm an ambassador.

This was my first time wearing a kimono. I was confused at how it actually felt, somehow, comfortable to wear.
Maybe like me, you didn't know that there are lots of various pieces of clothing that go on before the actual kimono. And ropes. I had five or six cinched around my chest. Usually they put nine on(, but I'm a foreigner, so...). Then, there are some more things, like a cotton shirt, a cotton slip, special socks and about fifteen small cotton pads around the neck and shoulders. Then the actual kimono goes on. Then five or so more belts on top. and teensy-weensy shoes. Way, way too small for my feet. I felt better when the women at the beauty shop told me that they are small for Japanese ladies too.

So, that was it. I didn't really know what to do all decked up like that. So I went outside. Coincidently, or maybe not, my tutor, who provided me with the opportunity to wear the kimono in the first place, happened to know that a festival was happening at a large shrine across the street and up the mountainside. She suggested that we go. Yikes. I felt really kind of weird sporting these fancy Japanese clothes in front of people I didn't know, and also I didn't think I could make it up the mountain in the itty-bitty shoes. Somewhat unsure of myself, I agreed we should go. I couldn't have guessed what a good idea that was.

After only a little walking, I got used to the shoes. I was surprised too, because the kimono wasn't killing me either. It held my posture for me and everything seemed to be stacked up right inside. So what did people think? Heck if they weren't smiling. They seemed proud of me or something. They wanted to shake my hand and talk to me. Just person after person wanting to meet me. It was so weird; then it struck me. This is why I'm here--it's not about ME me-- it's about letting all these people experience something foreign, something outside of the normal, if maybe for only once in their lives. And wearing the kimono somehow gave them confidence to come up to me and touch me, or even just stare(remember, the adults generally avoid looking).

It's true now that I'm famous here, not because of my accomplishments and not because of any particular talent. Just because the time is ripe and I do my job. That other part of the job. Now I can understand the part of my contract that says I'm to be an ambassador for my country. Anyone could do this job. but somehow it's me...


P.S. This is the best I've felt for a long time.