Hamamatsu Meitetsu Hotel

... me so well on my form and quick learning. I simply didn't have the heart to tell these folks who are giving me free lessons, that I've had some previous training. Or maybe I just didn't have the knowledge of how to say it, but either way...dammit...something smells like kamemushi. Kamemushi, or the stink-bug, is a curse around here this time of year. They breed like crazy, despite the cold. They can get in anywhere, somehow. They have hard ...

... and then left within two minutes, did so because of my tattoo. Maybe he just didn't say anything. Or, that old guy who was flopping about in the waist-high, leaving as soon as I dipped in...maybe it was just because I was a foreigner. Or maybe it was that it was a chilly night...<br><br>I puzzled over these things for a day or two, rejoicing in my success.<br><br>And then I decided today, after meeting the second 65 year old doing the amazingly intense hike I ...

... rarity in Japan I suppose, and did my best on a busted up foot that I've been nursing for two weeks (while on this topic, I recommend to all foreigners in Japan to immediately ask for 'wide' fits when buying new runners; TWO WEEKS...).<br><br>Although it definitely was as bad an experience as I describe it, I think that's what gets people hooked: bragging rights. It's like Robin Williams' stint on how the Scots came up with ...

... were as ridiculous and as fun as you can imagine. The first of these (one that they volunteered me to do) was Mukade (translation: by way of 1000 legs). We had a total of 6 legs, where 3 guys (myself included) slipped our feet into two wooden planks that we shared to complete this Mukade race. It was hilarious. I think we fell over thirty times, as the video of us competing demonstrates how well practiced at falling we are.<br><br>There was also a 'various ball ...

I finally understand where the expression "like rabbits" comes from.<br><br>Now before any of you 'jump the gun' on where I'm going with this, I just wanted to clarify that it doesn't involve me and animals, although I do feel pretty bad with the way I left them.<br><br>Just another day at Tomiyama, playing Kinball with some of the locals in the area (since they talked me ...

... rituals and how grand their fireworks are. This time: By far the best I've seen. Still, the magic of seeing Tezutsu that first night in Tsugu will never be topped, simply because it was my first time, and it was such a large display for such a tiny crowd. But I have to admit, the finale on this display was breathtaking--it just kept getting better and better.<br><br>I remember going to Calgary's Firework's Festival (or something like that) with my cousin Ian, his wife Shelley and ...

... by cracking out my guitar. Within a minute of me attempting to tune the darn thing (the Classical Ovation was really having a hard time with the steel strings---I just couldn't wait!), my co-worker approached me timidly and requested that I stopped playing, as it was not appropriate for me as a teacher, being paid, to appear like he's on vacation. I agree with this in retrospect, but at the time, I think I was a little disappointed. Does everything have to be according to ...

... the sun too long that day. There was no panic, but there was a lot of concern, and she was quickly brought back to consciousness and taken care of.<br>The whole thing was sort of ceremonial, where the principals had all the students form neat lines in front of our field, and addressed the families and the students and thanked them for coming and working hard. This sort of address happens all the time, for the Japanese are meticulously attentive to formality, something that has its ...

Nothing like getting drunk and flying a kite. That's what our second matsuri was all about, on the way back to Fuji. We stopped off in Hamamatsu city (our first ever visit there) to check out the big kite festival! Many international events are also going on as the city has many different communities, including a large Brazilian community. Despite the rain, thousands of people gathered near the beach to fly giant kites that are ...