Hamamatsu Hotel

... before last week, that I went to Karate, was the night before the Typhoon. I don't know why I went. It was dangerous, no one showed up, it was raining cats and dogs (never used that before, but '*******' just wouldn't have cut it), and I showed up. Even the main sensei, whom I was expecting his own Karate-gi from, didn't show.<br>Anyhow, it was a wonderful experience. Before and after the session, there is always about 30 seconds of meditation ...

So I managed (scold-free) to pay my second visit in an Onsen.<br>Now the reason why I did not post up my first visit (at least I think I didn't...) was due do a growing fear of being discovered for all my gaijin tendencies, which includes some body art.<br><br>For those who are not informed about Japan's general policies on tattoos, let me fill you in. Now I'm no Japan-encyclopedia here, but I'll do my best. Traditionally, the Yakuza (Japanese mafia) were the ...

Death to anyone who actually calls this a "sport". Where's the 'sport', or fun, in running long distances, causing pain, exhaustion, thirst, and minimal benefits to ones physical condition? What about one's mental condition?<br><br>I remember crossing that finish line, muttering "thanks" in about three languages, I was so delirious. Sure, it was an awesome experience, taking in the beautiful scenery on a perfect Autumn day in ...

... tug-of-war competitions. The first was a wild one where the kids all had a bunch of short-length ropes, and they had to grab the rope from the middle and bring it back to their side, fighting all the way from any other kids who try to compete with this. It almost gets violent.<br><br>Much like the hat-flipping game, where the kids, with their inverted white-red hats, would run around trying to flip-off the other teams' hats. Hilariously funny until someone ...

... high-tailed' it outta there, leaving his hapless victim (not his dinner, mind you...they're herbivores right?) on her own.<br><br>So, having disturbed this lovely display of primal roots, I burst out laughing, feeling awful for having taken part in playing the breakin-father. But heh, if I'm not allowed to have fun, neither are the bloody bunny-rabbits!<br><br>Kinball rocks!<br>

... neighbors, people here in Toyone. I have no idea where they buy their fireworks. Someone has to give in on me eventually...<br><br>Anyhow, the weekend was one to remember. I had spent the earlier part of the day wandering around since the others were all so lazy after our late night at our favorite Yakiniku joint. Stuck waiting for them yet unable to sleep, I took a long walk around town, soaking in the beautiful weather and taking shots along the way. I eventually came to a nice ...

... culture: an acceptance of the different.<br>A friend told me once that in Japan, "the nail that stands crooked, gets hammered straight". I hate using encompassing metaphors, but I would gladly nail this one to educational system.<br>Well, enough ranting. I respect it, yet it's so foreign to me still. Got to love what foreign experiences teach you. <br><br>So I spent the majority of the day wandering from school to school, saying hello to students, teachers, cheering mothers ...

... principal lent me his wet-suit again, and so I didn't feel out of place next to the other students in their respective gear. I spent the first few minutes sort of wading around with one of the most adorable special-needs girls, probably one of my first friends I made here, Momoe, and splashed around looking for a safe place to swim. Not realizing our hook-intercepting danger, I accidentally led her into the Hikakke fishing zone, and her father quickly corrected me and took her away. I ...

... each year. The sight is beautiful, even in the cloudy sky. It's fun to see the panic that ensues when kites fly off too far, or tangle with one another! Matsuri food is yummy as usual! They even sold the plain liquid candy that covers candy apples...It's all the fun of a candy apple, without the apple! We see a few new matsuri items (including a new matsuri rope game and a special "French" smoking trolley "L'art de ...

... in the background of the picture of her dolls, there was a white spot in the picture that she pointed to and said something to the others. I nearly jumped when all the girls started doing that "EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHH? that all Japanese seem to do. Apparently she had pointed at the spot and said that it was a soul in the picture, and all the other girls were weirded out. Dunno, looked like a smudge to me, but who knows, Japanese seem to be ...