Toyohashi Green Hotel

... lost at least once a day since my arrival.

Yesterday it was raining. So, instead of riding my bike to school one-handed and balancing an umbrella in the other whilst dodging crazed lunatics (ie: high school boys on bicycles), I walked. Seemed like the sensible thing to do. I thought I'd also try a short cut that I had seen on the map. Surprisingly, you don't get as far on ...

... and had no idea what I could possibly do at that sort of hour, besides gamble on pachinko, I grabbed my book (which I had started & finished on the 12hr flight) and re-read all the good bits. By the time I had done that, showered and put the first couple of entries into my sexy new blog, it was time to gather my belongings that were strewn all over the tiny room and check out.

I left the hotel at about 9:30 ...

... t involve techno-music, bright lights and glow-sticks. Gathered here were about 30 to 50 parents and children, taking turns cheering on the costumes and various dances that were being presented to them. Scattered throughout, the local students and children wear elaborate temple-gear and perform intricately complicated dances. And, three times during the night, devils come out, dressed in red with large-nosed, very, very scary painted ogre-masks.

This is Hanamatsuri.

This ...

... my coaches, and tried my best to act natural and ignore the camera 4 feet from my sitting spot.

I think I'm getting used to this celebrity business out here in Japan. It all starts with expressing your interest in something. But perhaps being the only foreigner within 50km from this village of 1500 might have something to do with it.

Interview is on Thursday and I'll do my best to obtain a copy of the story, which could run anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes. I have no idea.

... life before. That's only human. That's why there's pictures of my family and friends all over my room, that's why I rat-pack every memorable item (worse than my mother) for every event or special occasion, that's why I find myself craving a weekend out in the city, whether for drinks or gigs. But then once in awhile I'm reminded by just how different things are out here, and why that's not such a bad thing. Like a fish out of water, I keep trying to ...

... to obtain maps and brochures. The Fuji tourist center was particularly large to accommodate all the seasonal hikers and tour groups. There were lots of displays, maps, and a movie showing the history of Mt. Fuji. We met one information lady who was very helpful and went out of her way just for us. She gave us maps, discount coupons for some attractions, told us where the best places to view Fuji were, how to get ...

So I managed (scold-free) to pay my second visit in an Onsen.
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.

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 ...

... by foot. Now, whether or not it was a sport, or whether they claimed bragging rights is a different matter (I'm no historian), but I have to admit that I'm ready for the next one.


But really....doing what I did again today, and then twice that, is something I should at least train for this time. My time was 1 hour and forty minutes. Two 60 and 64 year old men beat my time by about 20 minutes. Now there's motivation.

... we ended our tour. It was odd, since Derek had mentioned how he runs into someone he knows every time he comes into Toyohashi or Nagoya, and less than 5 minutes later, we run into Andrew and his lovely wife Julie. I've been wanting to meet this couple for quite some time, since I've heard of all the work they put into organizing musical events for us Rural buck-toothed ALTs. They were everything and more than what I expected (if you know Andrew and Julie, you'll know what I ...

... in fact the first replica to be constructed using original building techniques and traditional materials. In other words, it isn't ferro-concrete! This was in fact the main reason for my becoming intrigued with visiting the place - it's such a switch to see a reproduction that isn't hopefully bland once you get beyond the exterior. In spite of the warm winter, the cherry blossoms were not quite out yet in Shizuoka prefecture today. I imagine the unexpected cold snap that ...