Japan ’08

That’s just straight-up crazy

That’s just straight-up crazy

Random Observation/Comment #52:Models never take normal pictures seriously.She just looks like a crazy girl in this picture. I spent Monday morning finishing some documentation at the lab while Chris went to Osaka Castle.If I knew it would have rained so hard, I would have brought an umbrella to lunch.The intervals between lightning and thunder became shorter and the cracks of...

Taking it easy for a day

Taking it easy for a day

Random Observation/Comment #51: Drinking for 10 hours gives a nasty hangover and ruins all planned events for the next day.I guess Osaka Castle and Nara can wait. We got back to the dorm around 8AM and slept until 4PM.We were planning to go to Osaka Castle, Nara, or Kobe, but it had already been too late in the afternoon.Instead, we...

So the entries continue…

So the entries continue…

I have written a lot of stuff – probably an entry for each day I have been on the tour.  I’ll post them when I have time next week.  The Intrepid Lost Japan tour has been absolutely incredible.  My entries will be more than detailed of these little inside jokes and help readers experience a somewhat hidden beauty of Japan. ...

Don’t worry, I’m alive

Don’t worry, I’m alive

There has been much going on with the tour and I have not had internet access because I was in the middle of no where.  I have written plenty and there will probably be a small chance that most of it will be read, but it’s good to keep it all somewhere.  I don’t have wifi now so the entries...

A crazy night at Pure with models

A crazy night at Pure with models

Random Observation/Comment #50: In situations like hitchhiking, it might be a good idea to lie and say you’re from Canada or something.However, when you’re out at a club like Pure, New York status can be flaunted without any problems. The adventure with Maki was cut short because she needed to go somewhere, but Chris and I continued to stay out...

Tuna Maki roll… please?

Tuna Maki roll… please?

Random Observation/Comment #49: Why didn’t I record a video of her talking? Ask Chris – it’s the cutest thing in the world.Picture a kitty wearing a panda suit, trying to play a small piano and then multiply the cuteness factor by 3.Eric, she’s even cuter than May – I know, it’s scary. I woke up at 3PM still feeling a...

Travbuddy meetup in Osaka!

Travbuddy meetup in Osaka!

Random Observation/Comment #48: Travbuddy.com is awesome and you can meet a lot of really friendly people from this social community.Brilliant – who doesn’t like traveling? The TB meetup was at 8PM, but we arrived in Osaka around 6PM.To kill time, we decided to go to the Floating Garden Observatory in Umeda to see the sunset (Chris wanted to hold hands,...

Arima Onsen: Please take me back, Spa World

Arima Onsen: Please take me back, Spa World

Random Observation/Comment #47: Sometimes I am just a little creepsterish when it comes to taking pictures. I’ve stopped being mindful about these things, and I just secretly snap shots of random people wearing interesting clothes or in front of monuments as if I had known them for a long time. The night before, we went to my going-away party in...

Sorry for the long posts – I had a lot of time on the train

Sorry for the long posts – I had a lot of time on the train

I’m surprised my battery on my laptop lasted the three hours on the train.  I wrote 4 entries in that time and I’ll post them throughout the week.  I have made it to Tokyo alive and well after a few detours with wrong trains.  The first night will be a little quiet, but the tour starts tomorrow so I hope...

Hitchhiking in Minoh (Katsuoji Temple)

Hitchhiking in Minoh (Katsuoji Temple)

Random Observation/Comment #46: Minoh is still one of my favorite places to visit in Osaka.I wish I saw more than two monkeys. My earlier visits to Minoh had been wonderful – today’s visit was no exception.I had been there twice: once by walking and another time by bike (explained in earlier entries).The first experience drew a deep appreciation for nature...

Chris… Mah niggah.

Chris… Mah niggah.

Random Observation/Comment #45: It’s nice to randomly talk out loud, and have a response with a less predictable answer.Why must I always know the answer to my own questions before asking them to myself? Chris showed up Wednesday night (7/23) with a huge backpack and a friendly hug.Within the first 10 minutes, we must have cursed like it was our...

Sayonara, Osaka University

Sayonara, Osaka University

Random Observation/Comment #44: I will miss you all.  Please come to New York and drink like fish. Now that I read my title again, it sounds like a corny “hasta la vista, baby” type of overdone Clint Eastwood cliche.  I did not intend for this, but I find it funny and a little disappointing that Hollywood has, once again, ruined...

Kobe Holiday Stroll – the ropeway ride of 100 pictures

Kobe Holiday Stroll – the ropeway ride of 100 pictures

Random Observation/Comment #43: Strange customs are being developed every day.I have urges to start odd routines, like fold my receipts into origami butterflies, or eat every kind of onigiri flavor available at the Family Mart for breakfast. I woke fully prepared to face a Monday morning of posting entries, checking email, fooling around with facebook, watching Colbert report, and avoiding...

Kobe: Rokko Mountain; the Family and Dating Scene

Kobe: Rokko Mountain; the Family and Dating Scene

Random Observation/Comment #42: Ordering from a machine with pictures and automatically calculated change gives another dimension to fast food service.It’s impersonal but efficient – sounds like Japan to me. The sound of dying cicadas drew me from that fantasy land.I thought it quite the odd moan from the group of bare women.I did that move we all do when we...

Have you ever slept in an Internet Cafe?

Have you ever slept in an Internet Cafe?

Ever since Chris joined on my random escapades throughout Japan, the days have been absolutely ridiculous.  From hitchhiking in Minoh to train hopping in Kobe and now sleeping in an Internet Cafe at 3:35AM, we’ve been having the best of time.  I’ve been drinking a little bit, so I should probably get some rest, but these events will be fleshed...

My new favorite way of spending 1000 yen

My new favorite way of spending 1000 yen

Random Observation/Comment #41: You’re driving on the wrong side of the road! What a bunch of amateurs. Please don’t run me over. After meeting the Alabamanese, I walked around Tenjinbashi 6-chome, saw Billiken in his tower, and then went to the zoo.A quick word on the Tengkei tower – it sucks; don’t go and waste your time and money.There were...

Oh the Zoo! I feel like I’m six years-old

Oh the Zoo! I feel like I’m six years-old

Random Observation/Comment #40: I refuse to wash my hands from the so called “clean water” spouting from the top of the toilet.I don’t trust that shyt (no pun intended). This visit to the zoo would mark a momentous occasion of being the first time: a) going with a camera and b) having the knowledge of all the existing animals.It must...

Hey, Clemens – I mean, New York!

Hey, Clemens – I mean, New York!

Random Observation/Comment #39: You’re not a bad influence if the person you’re influencing is the one who gave you the idea, right?Having this power of persuasion over a different generation makes me feel old… older (let’s keep me in denial). We first spoke in a crowded elevator.Our gazes met and my voice was clearly received.The dozens of eyes and ears...

An Itinerary in Osaka for clear skies

An Itinerary in Osaka for clear skies

Random Observation/Comment #38: Your brain only visually focuses on a section not much larger than your two thumbs at arms distance – everything else is just jumbled together in peripherals.Scenery like the ones from the top of mountains and towers blow my mind.These eyes pay so much attention to detail that I can barely notice the pixels =P. The weekend...

Spa World again: Another month, another spa

Spa World again: Another month, another spa

Random Observation/Comment #37: Even the white guy speaks better Japanese than me.Excuse me while I hide my head in shame. After the gruesome experience of walking the bicycle home for two hours, I felt it impossible to do my original goal of bike riding from Ishibashi Station to Umeda Station.The bike ride to school would be a cake walk (never...

The Flat Tire concluded

The Flat Tire concluded

Random Observation/Comment #36: Do I look like someone that can help you? I don’t even know what question you’re asking, let alone answer the question. I need much more help than you do, lady. Who am I kidding? How do you get a town car in Japan, anyway?It doesn’t matter what I thought at the time because my impulsive thinking...

The Flat Tire Part 1

The Flat Tire Part 1

Random Observation/Comment #35: There is a minimum of 3.2 megapixel camera in phones here.5.1 megapixel and built in GPS very common as well.They are a much bigger fan of the boxy flip phones. My heart was beating out of my chest as I tried an unnatural running motion with the bicycle.How could I have known a simple act of kindness...

Kyoto again: Kiyomizu Temple is a must-see

Kyoto again: Kiyomizu Temple is a must-see

Kiyomizudera is beautiful Random Observation/Comment #34: Pachinko and slot places are freakin’ loud.I think the objective of the gambling machine is to deafen the user and then mesmerize them with random videogame screenshots as they feed in more cash. People are way too enthusiastic and awake at 7AM on a Saturday morning.All the old people have already started their routine...

That’s what I’m talking about!

That’s what I’m talking about!

Random Observation/Comment #33: A notepad was a great investment.It is highly suggested for all who are traveling. Bring on the Japanese beers and games! Halo2 in Japanese =).This night reminded me of home, except it was with a Japanese version of the game and funny light-weight research students (instead of funny light-weight Justin).I drank 5 cans of Asahi (500ml), which...

A dedication to the J’s

A dedication to the J’s

Random Observation/Comment #32: Game arcade rooms are smoke-full zones.Hunched backs, arthritis stricken fingers, tired eyes, and blackened lungs are common side effects to these hardcore gamers. True friends are hard to come by and even harder to define.I will represent the warped, twisted, and surprisingly simple perspective of a guy.I give fair warning that you are about to be immersed...