"English Conversation is Fun!"

That's what Takuya told his mother, Yumiko, shortly before we parted ways in Yokohama last week. Yumiko, Artistic, and I got off the train to visit the quilt show while Takuya continued on to his college in Tokyo.

Yumiko told us that Takuya had never chatted with a native English speaker before our twenty-five minute train ride from Yokosuka to Yokohama. Since I was one of the two native English speakers in question, and unquestionably the chattiest, forgive me if I seem unduly tickled over introducing a 26-year old man-boy to the joys of witty repartee.

Yumiko and Takuya on Yokosukachuo platform

Takuya probably took me for something of a dimwit but I don't mind that as long as he enjoyed our conversation. Here are a few highlights.

On the train platform
Peevish: What do you study at college?
Takuya: Electric ... machines.
P: Oh, like computers?
T: Yes.
P: And toasters?
T: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Somewhere around Kamiooka
P:  I want to be in a flash mob on a Japanese train.  Do you know "flash mob"?
T: (quizzical look and head shake) Flash mob?
P: YouTube?
T: YouTube!
P: Everyone sings and dances. Amsterdam?
T: Train station?
P: Yes!
T: Airport?
P: Yes! What song could we get everyone to sing? Jingle Bells?
T: Do-Re-Mi!
P: Sound of Music?

We hummed a few bars.

But you probably already assumed that.

This flash mob idea is rapidly gathering momentum. Artistic Explorer is not keen on the idea, so I am going to have to trick her into the train on the appointed day. The video just won't be the same without her.