Man, what a day! Seriously, I can’t even. So, I’m a sign language interpreter, right? And today was just... wow. I woke up in Ebetsu, Japan, and thought, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I had to rush to the Ebetsu City Hall on Kiyokawa Street. Traffic was a mess! Like, why is everyone in such a hurry? I mean, it’s Ebetsu, not Tokyo! I was stuck behind this old lady driving 20 km/h. Bless her heart, but c’mon! I was late for my first appointment.
Finally, I get there, and I’m sweating like a pig. I run in, and the receptionist gives me this look like, “You’re late.” Ugh, I know! I’m here to interpret for a community meeting about accessibility. Super important stuff, right? But the vibe was all off. People were grumpy. I mean, who wouldn’t be? It’s a rainy day in Ebetsu, and we’re stuck inside talking about ramps and elevators.
So, I’m signing away, trying to keep the energy up. But then, this one guy, Mr. Tanaka, starts going off about how the city’s not doing enough. He’s all, “We need more funding!” And I’m like, “Dude, chill.” But I get it. It’s frustrating. I felt my blood boiling a bit. Like, can we just get some positive vibes here?
After that, I dashed over to the Ebetsu Sports Park. I was supposed to interpret for a group of deaf kids learning to play soccer. Talk about a mood lifter! These kids were hilarious! They were running around, kicking the ball everywhere. One kid, Yuki, tripped and fell face-first into the grass. I couldn’t help but laugh! He popped up, covered in dirt, and yelled, “I’m fine!” Classic!
But then, outta nowhere, it started pouring. I mean, like, monsoon-level rain. We all scrambled for cover under the bleachers. I was soaked, and the kids were just giggling. I was like, “You guys are tougher than me!” They were all, “We’re from Ebetsu! We can handle it!” I love that spirit!
After the rain, we went back to playing. The sun peeked out, and it was beautiful. I mean, Ebetsu has some stunning views, especially from the park. You can see the mountains in the distance, and the air smells fresh. It was a moment of pure joy.
But then, I had to rush to my next gig. I was interpreting for a local art exhibit on Shimizu Street. I thought it’d be chill, but nope! The artist was super intense. He was all about his “deep emotional connection” to the art. I’m standing there, trying to keep up with his poetic ramblings. I’m like, “Dude, it’s just paint on canvas!” But I had to sign it all passionately.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I grabbed some ramen at this little spot on Kiyokawa Street. Best decision ever! The broth was rich, and the noodles were perfect. I was slurping away, thinking about how crazy today was.
So, yeah, Ebetsu is wild. It’s got its quirks, but I love it. The people, the food, the unexpected rainstorms. It’s all part of the charm. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully, less chaos, but who am I kidding? It’s Ebetsu!