"I walk the streets of Japan 'till I get lost"
Trip Start
Aug 07, 2007
1
3
112
Trip End
Ongoing
Osaka,
Japan
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Hung over or still drunk for that matter. I write from my favorite PC bong in Uijeongbu, Korea and plan to recount the last few days by drawing from my journal that my little sister gave me as well as writing from memory. Poker was good last night. We were seven guys round a table at a buddy's apt who lives a floor below me. I was the first to go out after a rather ambitious "all in". No worries though as I was still able to buy back in. Almost a liter of Jack later and some aggressive moves I was the winner of the pot...good night.
From my journal (when the Internet is not available and pen and paper is):
Japan
Up at 5am and stressing over international travel
A helpful landmark
. Today I am going to Japan to get an E2 visa which will allow me to work legally in Korea. Checking for documents: passport...check, work info...check...$...check, photos...check. This routine will be done many times over due to a somewhat healthy-borderline neurotic paranoia. I grabbed a cab close to my apt and showed the Korean driver a note my supervisor had written for me detailing that I wished to be taken to the airport shuttle bus. He did not understand the note as his reply was "airport 70,000 won. To much. He dropped me off and I jumped in another cab which took me to the airport shuttle stop. I waited for about 20 minutes and it started to rain...kicking myself for not bringing my umbrella. The shuttle arrived and for 11,000 WON I was off.I realize the stress of being in a foreign country, not knowing the language and trying to get around. In the end having faith and a little luck can ease the stress and get you where you want to go.
Happy there was a ledge to stand under at the bus stop.
12 pm Osaka Japan
Short flight...trouble or miscommunication at immigration. It always helps to know exactly where you are staying when you enter a country. The officer and I finally met in an understanding after I showed my instructions on how to attain an E2 visa at the Korean consulate.
At customs the rather attractive officer asked me some standard questions including "Do you have any drugs in your bag? Marijuana? After I said no she searched my bag and then did a body pat down...first time for me and in no way did I feel violated
A model of a Yamato class battleshipor so me think
.Signs in English directed me to the trains. Bought a standard ticket and was told by the attendant to go to gate 2. I walked to the entrance and with ticket in hand I tried to figure out how to procede or what to do at the entrance stalls. I decided to wait and watch another person...when the friendly attendant tapped me on the shoulder and showed me what to do. I realize in my travels that I must have faith in the universe. That and I will quote Audioslave " Don't loose any sleep tonight, I'm sure everything will end up alright."
Train ride
-runs along residential area and at times comes within 2 meters of kitchen windows.
Osaka Center
The women here are beautiful, there is a good buzz to the city...I was off to find the Korean consulate. I followed the directions from work: Exit number 10, head left, pass a Subway and MCD's, look for big Korean flag. Bingo! Found it. Paperwork. Met three other teachers doing the same thing. All from North America, working in Korea. Followed two new friends to their hotel...got a room
Arrow slits at Osaka castle
. Pricey... but status quo in Japan. As I write this I sit in my hotel room drinking Asahi and watching Sumo.Out for dinner after walking the streets, bright lights and a good buzz to the city. Marga, Shakira and I ate with the help of the chef Kaz, a Japanese that had picked up his English while living in Las Vegas. I had pork, chicken, shrimp, and veggies fried in a batter. I started with raw tuna in an Italian dressing and washed it all down with a cold beer. Kaz was very accommodating translating our order to the Japanese waiter who spoke no English. After our meal we walked the streets and the ladies shopped for shoes and bags while I did double takes every few seconds at the beautiful women of Osaka.
September 21, 2007
Next day I had breakfast with Marga, checked out and then we headed to the consulate to pick up our visas. On the way we ran into Steve, another Canuck on his way to the consulate. We grabbed our visas/passports, headed to Steve's hostel so he could check out and then headed to Osaka Castle!
Osaka Castle
We grabbed a cab just outside of Steve's hostel and headed toward the castle
Arrow slits up close
. The cars drive on the opposite side of the street than in North America. Our cabbie was very pleasant and after he felt my arms and chest I explained "weights and wresting." Not completely sure of his intentions, I was ok with his curiosity. He was very friendly and gave each of us a picture of a tiger and a mint candy. When we saw the peak of the castle he stopped the meter, giving us a break on the fare. With a handshake goodbye we were off to the castle.High walls surrounded by a moat. The castle had been reconstructed many times after being sacked, burnt down, and bombed in 1945. We walked the grounds and then headed inside to the 6 story main complex. We decided to head to the top and work our way down. The top floor was a lookout that had a beautiful panoramic of the city (buildings and mountains). The other floors served as a museum. Many facts about various warriors, some having staying power to become legends into this modern era. Themes I read about were the various attempts, some successful, to unite the country by ancient warriors. There were exhibits of helmets, armor, and swords (all on the 2 floors where no photos were allowed). Interesting to see the history of this ancient country that was played out long before the birth of Canada. Makes me realize how young my home really is. Took lots of pics. We jumped in a cab and headed to the train station which is where I write from now...all of us on the same flight.
At Dinner
Fast train. Osaka airport lies on a man made island a short distance out in the ocean. In its construction engineers built it higher than the anticipated resting level as it is still sinking.
Had a great flight. Asian airlines are very pleasant to fly with. Steve and I shared stories of our life adventures. I particularly enjoyed his narrative of his trip to Australia, especially swimming with Whale Sharks. All in all its been a great adventure. I arrive back in Korea at the start of Chuesok, a five day holiday in which the Korean honor their dead and celebrate the living. It's one of the most important holidays in Korea. The roads are full as well as peoples bellies. I have a poker game tonight at 1030pm with the boys. I will sip on Jack and coke, take my friends money, and reflect on a right of passage for teachers in Korea: the visa run.
A random thought on my trip to Japan:
While in China this past August I read a book called "The Secret." Prior to leaving Ottawa I was in a bar chatting with a very friendly chick and she told me about the book. I quickly wrote the name on a bank receipt, while she may have been thinking "Why is this guy not asking me for my number so he can write that down instead." By no means am I a thought reader, just one scenario in a sea of infinity
Battle
. Anyways "The Secret" is a book that discusses how you can shape you future by thinking of things you want (ie. good health, money, love, or whatever you can think of). As I read this book I thought of a wise man I met in the late 90's at a used bookstore. He told me I can have anything I want. I just have to "ask the universe and then look for clues." I have experienced this kind of magic in my life since then. Of course the more grounded in reality could say that your actions dictate your results, I guess like cause and effect. Ok so I experienced this use of "The Secret" in my trip to Japan. In Seoul's at the airport I browsed through a Lonely Planet guide on Japan looking for a last minute idea while there. I read about Osaka and its castles. Wow castles in Japan. I have heard of castles in Europe, but in Japan, how cool. So I thought that I want to see a Japanese castle. The next day I was at a Japanese castle.Thought = concrete outcome (a small example)
To conclude I will quote the Tragically Hip. The name of the song is "Poets" and the lyric goes like this:
-Don't tell me how the universe is altered when you find out how he gets paid, all right
God/The Universe loves entities to shape there futures
Big Brother Asahi and his little sisters
. What I mean is "he" is paid when you shape your destiny, maybe through thought and its subsequent outcome. This concept of free will pulls me from the philosophy and my past thoughts that our lives are predetermined and we are merely riding a roller coaster that goes up and down. We get on when we are born and get off when we die. I am high from traveling.Wanderlusted.
Kevin teacher
Almost home
As I started to recognize the outskirts of Uijeongbu the thought of how I would find my apt began to create anxiety. I thought of it a few times while in Japan but was having to much fun for it to bother me. I knew from the airport that the shuttle bus (very comfy) would make several stops in the city, so I started to look for familiar sights...no luck. As the bus rolled along I began to realize how big Uijeongbu really is (600,000 people as told to me by Bobby at poker). My 7/11 landmark near my apt. became useless as this chain of stores began to pop up everywhere. I decided to get off and try my luck with a cab. This would prove difficult as a I did not know my address and speak no Korean (hmm, as I recall when ever I stayed at a hotel outside of my home city, be it Vancouver or Ottawa I always grabbed a card from the hotel
Bikes
. You know, in case after a night of drinking, I ended up in some strange woman's bed or a park bench for that matter). So here I was no idea what part of the city I was in and no info. of where I lived. I had lost my supervisors business card so I could not call her. I went to some cabs and asked where the subway was. I had a plan, ride the subway and find a familiar stop. Which I could walk home from. They pointed me in a direction and I headed off only to become lost minutes later. Ok, stop, think, what should I do? I decided to turn on my internal GPS and let the autopilot walk me home. GPS on! I walked for a bit and soon recognized a coffee shop that Chrissy and Jill took me to my first full day in Korea. Ok, this is good. I headed in the direction we took to get there that day. Moments later I was lost in the bright lights of Uijeongbu.Thoughts as I wandered, GPS broken:
1. What the fuck am I going to do?
2. Are the Koreans pissed at Japans actions from history?
3. I love Japanese women!
Walk, Walk, Walk. I saw a cross high in the sky (atop a tall building) and remembered seeing a cross on my way to work. I went to it and soon found myself in familiar territory (the route to Canada International School where I work). OK, I'm not a Christian by any means but maybe Jesus really does save. Moments later I was home, one visa later, a hot shower and a cold beer hit the spot. Now it's time to play poker.
Comments
Wandering Stempy! LOL
I spent the last hour reading on your adventures and enjoying your pictures. As much as we all miss you back home (started dialing your house a few days ago), I really feel like I'm there with ya buddy!
Keep 'em coming.
Kevo!!! You are very wise
Man you've learned alot. Aside from your falure to get the womans number, you've discovered so much that so many miss out on. Your book 'the secret' is but one source that will open your world view on life. You don't have to be 'termed christian' to love god. You already do, everyone does, they just don't know it or fight it.
You're right kdog, Free will is his gift and you have discovered that and what you can do with it.
I look forward to hearing more about your journey.