Today, for the first time since I was five years old, I went out carrying a parasol. And yes I did feel stupid. Being very fair I usually have to wear sun block on my face and I really don’t like it. So, I’ve decided to try the things that Japanese women do to protect their skin.

Parasols are very popular in Japan. The shops carry a large selection of them and nearly every young woman I saw today was carrying one. They aren’t like the parasol I had as a child. I think the only reason I remember my parasol was because my mum thought it was an umbrella. I can remember the one day that I took it out. It was made of cotton and the rain came through it. And the blue dye ran all other my arms, face and clothes. The labels on my new parasol claim that it will protect me from both the sun and the rain.

My tutor arrived this morning carrying a parasol and wearing a hat. I also bought a hat and the second time I went out shopping I decided to try that instead of the parasol. I preferred the hat to the parasol but it felt really strange wearing a black floppy hat with jeans. It’s the sort of thing I would wear to a wedding.

It’s going to take me a while to get used to it but today my skin hasn’t been burnt and also hasn’t been irritated by sun block. Maybe by the end of the summer I’ll think that everyone should have a parasol.