It was 2005, my first Christmas as a young banker in Tokyo and my boss at Bear Stearns wouldn’t let me go home. (2 years later they collapsed and my boss lost his job. Karma!).
Paul, the IT guy invited me to his house for Christmas dinner but I didn’t want to bother him and his family so as I stayed in on my own in my over-priced expat apartment - being disappointed by Star Wars ‘Episode III Revenge of the Sith.’ I wish I had ‘bothered’ Paul.
It’s lonely being an expat, I thought to myself as I listened to my family sing Merry Christmas over the phone, while I stabbed a chopstick into the chicken flavored noodles (they didn’t have any turkey). Is this what its like to be an expat? No family, no friends not even a turkey.
It was thanks to that moment that I decided to go where ever I was invited in future which took me on many fun, interesting and unusual adventures over the 3 years I spent in Tokyo (and in life).
Two weeks later, I was invited to see a tiny Japanese island - on my own. I went. There were no hotels or shops or anything to see, but I walked all over the small island where the few inhabitants stared at me in wonder and eventually I had to knock on a stranger’s door to ask if I could sleep in their house (using my hands and facial expressions to break through the language barriers). They let me stay - they even made me fish soup for breakfast. I ate it and smiled (on the outside). It was weird but I felt good for doing it. I left the island feeling like I could handle saying "yes" even when I was out of my comfort-zone.
Thanks to saying "yes", I cycled 70km to an onsen, snowboarded in Hokaido, walked across the Great wall in China, hiked in Nepal, learned to ride a motor bike, did stand-up comedy in Singapore, meditated in India and when I was invited to a ‘happening bar’ in Tokyo, once again I said “yes” – without even knowing what a ‘happening bar’ was.
I walked up the stairs passing the costumes, whips and - toys - to see a cage with hand-cuffs in an empty room. I was officially out of my depth. Um.. do I still say "yes"?
The two Japanese women who brought me there, came back with some drinks but way less clothes. What happened next I will leave it to your imaginations but I will say it was definitely more exciting than Sat Wars and noodles.
There are a lot of people new to the scene who might be on their own at Christmas - so invite them to a happening bar… eh I mean out for a drink or two. Those who are staying on their own need to prepare with higher quality Christmas movies… or be open to some random adventures.
Aidan Killian is going home for Christmas this year but he will be back at The Merry Lion Comedy Club at 8 Circular Road in Boat Quay (Singapore’s only full time comedy club) in January 2-17 with his latest comedy show. Keep an eye out www.themerrylion.sg
