Hotel Route Inn Hamamatsu Ekihigashi

... 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 ...

... myself to (Myoujin), he said the word onsen and I thought "why the hell not?".<br>This time, no bandage, but just my trusted long-hand-towel. I drape it, and it seems discreet enough. In fact, it was almost empty this time. I only saw two men in it at any time, and most of the evening I had the whole onsen to myself. It was amazing, and I'm falling asleep as I write this entry.<br><br>Again, there's no pictures (common, I'm not THAT perverted), but I ...

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 ...

... deducted for every ball you put in the wrong basket. The thing is, two teams go at the same time on different poles, and at the end, they count out how many you put in yours, and how many you put in the wrong basket (which is a point for the other team). We were really good at scoring for the other team, and, well, they just sucked at giving us points. We liked to think of ourselves as the best team of Givers.<br><br>Of course, no Sports Day is complete without ...

... I came across on the middle of this road. I saw one pair of red eyes glint back at me in the darkness reflected by my headlights, glaring at me with pure hatred (as much hatred that is possible in a jackrabbit). "Jackrabbit?" I hear you say. Yes, and how could I tell this? Well, I'm not sure who ran away faster, but I could swear it was the jackrabbit who was on top who ...

... two daughters last summer for a beautiful display. There were thousands of people, and after various cultural dances and performances, they put on a synchronized firework-show. It was so beautiful. Another time, I was driving back from Lac Phillippe with my friend when we overheard the fireworks from the Casino in Hull, doing their international fireworks competition. That was beautiful.<br><br>But there is something about the way the Japanese prepare their fireworks, either hand ...

... to make her seem like an explorative girl in her twenties. Derek tells me that she can even remember one of the nights (vaguely) that they were firebombed in Nagoya. Ito-san, when she found out that Toyone had a new ALT (me!), invited me through Derek to her English conversation classes on Tuesday, and I've been attempting to attend every one of them since I've got here. They include snacks, lots of fun topics, energetic Japanese ladies seeking to improve their English ...

... about our fishing experience. I came pretty close to catching the biggest fish. I told Takashi-kun that I had saw three large fish swim away from a large rock they were all hiding under. I stomped the rock, and saw the biggest fish i've seen so far take off at lightning speed, while the other two stayed underneath its cover. I called over the nearest student (one of my favorites now too), and we took turns stabbing into the cracks trying to coax out the fish. Those fish are ...

... br>A funny thing happened that night, in which the video explains everything. I repeat the caption: Beware "Linda Linda" when playing in Japan. Jesus....<br>Was a little tired the next day for what was to be my first successful experience with Hikkake, Japan's traditional river-fishing. This time, I met my vice-principal outside his house and we got changed at his place into wet suits. A few other things ...

... lunch. Be proud - I even tried eel. At this point I`ve been subjected to so many new flavors and textures (ha, "subjected to" - I am of course talking about exquisitely prepared gourmet meals), all I can think about is spaghetti with tomato sauce =). Onwards to an Onsen. As I`ve mentioned before, any time the Japanese don`t have to spend in the office they tend ...