Trust in Japan

This snack stand is a familiar sight to anyone who has been around the Asunal area in Kanayama. Located in a hallway near the JR and Meitetsu main entrances, this spot sees a decent amount of foot traffic all hours of the day. This photo was taken at about 9:30 pm on a Tuesday night, when there are still many people hustling around, and the hallway is open to allow people to cut through the building a little faster. The shop is quite obviously closed...but is it? Really? Because everything is pretty much still exposed, and in my book that's either because it's open for business, or you don't mind getting your stuff stolen. But not here. Oh, it's closed all right, and it's only my paranoid, suspicious American mind that can't wrap itself around this idea. It isn't an issue. No one touches any of the soyjoys, cookies, drinks or potato chip bags that are so tantalizingly unsupervised and would pretty much scream "TAKE ME!!" to most of the people I know back home. But, no one bats an eye. They just keep walking. Props yet again, Japan.

Lemon Soda Kit Kat

There is a lemony soda that is popular in Japan called Ramu Rei that Nestle has chosen to make into a Kit Kat. It didn't turn out too bad, but it's not one of my favorites. Check out the video:

Sashimi Sampler

I love free samples. And I wholeheartedly think anyone who says they don't is a filthy liar. Wandering through a high-end grocery store last week I came across this tuna sashimi sampler table, and for once, the first thing that came to mind wasn't to immediately snatch some. Instead, I marveled at how this exact same scenario would have been seen as an atrocity back in the States. People would think (or shout, which are often one in the same for some Americans) "Raw fish? I don't care how free it is, I'm not touching it." Their loss, more for me.

Macho Parking

Found this sign for a local business (called Macho) while Rocky and I were out for a walk. I guess sissies can park out front.

More Rocky Pics

He's getting bigger...

Gay-Friendly Hotel in Beijing

Big news! We're going to Beijing to see The Great Wall for golden week (like Japanese spring break) this year. The preparations have kept us quite busy, and have been somewhat stressful and even overwhelming at times. But, among the confusion and frustration that can come with planning a trip like this, this little tidbit made me crack a smile. Among the amenities our hotel offers, it boasts that is is "Gay Friendly". See it there right above airconditioning? As someone who doesn't give a rat's behind about other people's sexual choices, this totally bewilders me--is this necessary information in China? I'll let you know. On a side note, I bet they have queen-sized beds too. You can't make this stuff up.

End of the School Year 2010

In Japan the school year runs from April to March, and this marks the end of our first full contract at ECC, as well as our first run-in with what some of my Japanese co-workers have dubbed "goodbye season...and it aint easy. I have to say I was really sad to say goodbye to some really awesome kids. I know all good things must come to an end, and so it did. I'll miss these munchkins.

New Rocky Pics

He's grown quite a bit in the last couple of months, so here are some of my favorite recent photos of Rocky. I have to say, the one with him and the giant stuffed animal with testies is one of the best yet.