Wed 30 Apr 2003
Beyond the contest – More impressions on Japan
Posted by Marc under Travel Tales
Comments Off
Hey there. Look, I know, we’re getting a little competitive, but there has been more going on here then just us taking pictures.
Yesterday, we went down to a river with a couple of Marc’s students – Aya and Taichi – and a bunch of their friends. We had so much fun. They had already eaten by the time we managed to drag our butts out there. We got up early enough, but we just had so many things to do around here. Like look at the website and drink coffee. And then, it was SO HOT that when we got outside we were sweating, so we had to buy shorts. We went to the store that has a downstair grocery store and then an upstair clothing/100 Yen/kitchen wear store … (100 Yen Store is a dollar store) We found some men’s shorts – Beverly Hills, Polo Club. I couldn’t find any chick shorts … except for some old lady shorts that I just did not like, nor could I probably fit on my big American ass. We changed in the store and we looked like a couple of American tourists who dress the same.
Back to the river, we had some Korean BBQ and met some fantastic people. I tried to speak English to people, but as Marc pointed out, I speak too quickly for most native English speakers … so for non-native English speakers, I’m a little too much. However, I believe that I got across one of my favorite words which is wacky and got many of the people @ the BBQ to use it appropriately. Mostly in relation to me being wacky, well, me and the Coke campaign with the Japanese English – GET! Shop! NO REASON! Oh, yeah.
The day before we were in Kyoto. It was really, reallly beautiful. The pictures from the competition are so insignificant to the amazing history and beauty that we were fortunate to get to see. The cemetary really really was awe inspiring. It was enormous and on the side of this large hill – it went up and up and up – until it came to the beginning of the walk up to the temple @ Kyomizu. If you are ever in Japan, please go there. What was also cool in the temple area there was this place that had these charmed stones and stuff. I am not explaining well, but one of the charms were these two stones that faced each other. What you were supposed to do, was walk from one to the other with your eyes closed and your love would be revealed. I did fine … Marc, not so much. Bless his heart.
I’ve attached a picture of the people at the picnic and a couple great toilet pictures. The one about “BIG SHIT” is from the hostel that Marc’s friend Shawn was staying at in Kyoto. Enjoy! Oh, and my camera takes movies too! So at the end, there’s a movie of Marc’s apartment! check it out! Alex says it’s cool.
Hey, the last one is a MOVIE! Watch it and love my apartment!

