jumping in japan

09Apr08

After a serious case of blogger’s block compounded with a nasty onslaught of jetlag, I’m BACK!  Not a huge amount to write nowadays.  Perhaps Boston has ceased to surprise me, or maybe it’s just the continuous stream of cases sapping my creative efforts.  Whatever it is, the smog is momentarily lifted… so here we go!

Let’s start it off with one of my favourite pictures…

Just (okay… two weeks ago) returned from a wicked 10 days in Japan.  Several in cultural Kyoto, followed by a day in the hot springs of Hakone and the remainder of the days in sexy Tokyo.  Here’s my attempt at remembering (through the Asahi-induced haze) the trip:

• Apparently “the bird” means something completely different in Japan
• California rolls don’t exist in Japan
• Japan has a lot of temples
• Smile-and-nod goes a long way
• Their burger combos are waaaaay better
• The easiest food item to order is alcohol: “beer-oh” and “sake”
• The squirrels bears are… huge?
• A city can be garbage free with less than one garbage can everyone five blocks
• Kampai!
• “Quarters” “10-yen” is a dangerous game
  “So you see, all you have to do is get this… in here.  Simple!”
  “Sure, sounds easy! Ka-wai-ne!!“
  “Guys, I’ve got an idea, someone bet me that I can’t make this shot.”
  “Haha… YOU’RE ON!!” *clink* “…“
• The face-mask goes over the nose and mouth.
• Mt. Fuji, now THAT’S a mountain.
• You can buy beer from vending machines
• You can drink beer on the street
• Beer girls beat beer goggles any day of the week.
• Sushi is good at any time of the day, even at 6 am.
• Anything less than a three-piece suit is just uncivilized
• “Domo arigato Mr. Roboto” earns you nothing but a blank stare
• Harajuku girls are awesome
• Tokyo is huge
• The Tokyo train system is huge
• Vending machines are on every block
• Cows CAN fly!
• The Japanese people are extremely polite
• The food is amazing – can’t have enough
• Playing menu roulette is fun!
• Sleeping in a 24-hour diner feels amazing at 6 in the morning
• American Airlines operates better in Japan than in America (probably more profitable too)
• Karaoke x 3… ‘nuf said
• Goooooo Red Sox!!

Even more photos can be found on Facebook: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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Tags: 2008, food, hakone, japan, japanese, kyoto, mit, mt. fuji, palaces, Sloan, sushi, temples, tokyo, trek