The Travel Vlogger

The Travel Vlogger

Gretchen was already regretting her outfit choice. It was her signature look, something her followers expected from her. However, the Tokyo summer was not forgiving, and humidity did not go well with denim. Her snugly fit jeans were becoming uncomfortable, but she would have to endure, at least until after she’d found something to film.

She wasn’t even sure what precinct she was in. She had chosen it randomly at the station, looking for a new adventure to share with her subscribers. She must have been quite an image for the many locals walking past. Being slightly above average height back home, she felt a bit oversized here in Japan. Most men here were just below her height, and it was not uncommon for people to stare as they walked past.

Most of her light brown hair was hidden beneath a cap that read Alberta, a reminder of home. Her light European skin tones already made her stand out as a foreigner, as well as her casual outfit of a T-shirt and jeans. Most of the local women were more fashion conscious than she had ever been, even in high school. In one hand was a small tripod that she had attached to her phone. A messenger bag rested across her body, holding anything else she might need for the day.

Realising that the heat wasn’t going away any time soon she decided to start walking. Maybe she could find somewhere cool to have lunch. After walking for about twenty minutes she noticed a small ramen shop, the kind of place that was just a hole in the side of a building. In front of it were five stools, three of which were being used by some older Japanese men, chatting calmly, but loudly slurping their noodles.

She walked up and smiled politely at the man serving. He appeared to be in his fifties, with a receding hairline of black and grey. However, beneath his apron and white T-shirt she could see that he was in good shape. He smiled cheerfully and greeted her in Japanese. She must have looked confused because he tried again “American?”

“Canadian” she stated, wondering how much English he knew.

“Ah” he replied confidently “maple syrup and hockey?” He struggled with the word maple, but otherwise his pronunciation was flawless. She found his accent to be quite charming too.

“Yeah, that’s the place” she looked around to the three older men “do any of you speak English?”

Two of them looked confused, but the third managed to say “just a little, my darling” and then winked at her.

“Oh” she wasn’t expecting that “would any of you mind if I film? I have a small YouTube channel.”

He conferred with his friends for a minute before saying “no problemo” and gave her a cute, but slightly awkward, thumbs up. She then turned to look at the shop keeper.

“That’s fine with me, it might attract more customers.”

“Thank you so much” she said sincerely “and allow me to complement you on your English, it really is good.”

“Don’t mention it” he replied “as a young man I once bicycled across America, it was good practice.”

“It certainly seems that way” she sat down as she spoke and began setting up her tripod “I’m Gretchen by the way, what’s your name?”

“Minato.”

“That’s a nice name” she replied, then switched on her camera “hello internet and welcome back to my channel. As I mentioned in my last video, I am currently exploring the great metropolis that is Tokyo. Today we’re taking a break from the big tourist spots to sit down and try a local ramen place. How local is it? Well, if I pan my camera around you can see these silver foxes slurping down noodles like they’ve been sitting here for decades.”

“Hey” the same man responded “are you saying we old?”

“No no” she quickly recovered “I’m telling my viewers that you are experienced, cultured men who know where to find good food.