Would You Buy a Can of Air From This Man?

Don't know what it is about labels in a foreign language, but they will make you spend money on the most ridiculous crap.

I spent 500 yen on a plastic soy bean pod that reveals a happy face when squeezed like an edamame appetizer. No reason. Just did.

So, I can't bust on Alex here to hard for buying a can of oxogen for a hike under 6,000 feet.

"I'm gonna buy this Japanese can of air" some how sounds better than, "I'm going to buy a can of air."

More hiking and paragliding pics from Japan Alps trip here. A good time was had.

 

Clean Up on Aisle Four

Not sure what this stuff is, but it looks like what its packaging implies.

It was in the liquor section of a huge electronics store, Bic Camera, next to the Kalua.

UPDATE: Its a German vanilla-carmel liqueur. Very kitschy. A must for every 1950 basement bar.

Pretty disgusting.

Our Lady of Iwo Jima

The great thing about history and religion is the fashion fodder, evidently... 

Even if your country did get nuked six months after your sweat shirt.

 

As if it wasn't odd enough that this guy was taking pictures of  these guys (more on them later). 

I suppose misinterpreted English phrases mixed with confusing iconography on your shirt is better than having misinterpreted Kanji tattooed on your neck. 

They really are  gems in a very crowded place, though and I've come to appreciate them. 

Trying to figure out what the hell a shirt or jacket means can put your mind into a logic tailspin. I spent  a ridiculous amount of time thinking about and searching the Web for what this dude's jacket could possibly be aluding. I'm thinking he's not a fan of WHDM radio, East Central Indiana's country hits. 

I think it's a scooter club as I saw another guy on a scooter with the same jacket (may have been the same dude though.)

Then there are the Shibuya girls with "I Heart Weiners," and "Take a Number"  T-shirts. While much less perplexing,  they're fun all the same. 

And some times they just remind you of home.

Monkeys and Firewoks Don't Mix

Hiking outside Kyoto. Saw more monkey poop than monkeys. Flaming or non.
I have no idea what the sign says (translation to come..) and it would seem monkeys in the area don't either.

Took the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Kyoto last weekend to do a little exploring and cultural/historical with David and Miki. Basically walked around town in the off and on rain and took in the sights and sounds.

Kyoto has a lot to see and is especially beautiful in the fall and winter with the snow and changing of the seasons. So, Well be back to see what we missed.

As for what we did see: Lots of river birds, Geisha, Temples (Shinto and Buddhist), student art show and two hours worth of rice between Tokyo and Kyoto.


I'm kicking myself for not getting some picks of the full-dress geisha, but it just felt to odd to get that pick. Same way it it's weird to take pics of Amish walking down the street just doing what they do. So, sorry. You'll have to take my word for it being something to see.

Not to far from the part of town we saw the Geisha we rolled by this piece of irony: love motel with "ladies hospital" conveniently located next door. There were a lot of kids running around this area now that I think about it.

Got into town about mid-day Friday so just did a little river walking as most of the sights to see where closed.

But we did get to a few Shinto temples before they shut down where people were walking through hoops and ringing bells for luck and prosperity. People often write well wishes and prayers on planks of wood and leave them at the Shinto alters. This one cracked me up -- probably for the sheer fact that I could read it. It got me wondering if the ones in Japanese were as funny.


Next day we did a little hiking outside of Kyoto and visited the site of Japan's first Zen Buddhist temple. The buildings are only about 100 years old tho the site is about 700 and the original gardens are still in tact.

The temple was a short walk from the river banks pictured to the left here. It was a pretty short trip, but the company was good and it was nice to finally ride the Shink and see another Japanese city.

Kyoto station is pretty cool with about two miles of escalators this picture is only about half way up one side of the station .


And it's open air at the top of each side. There is a catwalk that spans from one side to the other at the top of each escalator run. Pretty amazing design to look at, if not practical. Sandra Joy at center for scale, David and Miki at right. Below, you an see the hills around Kyoto and down into the station from the top of the stairs. All in all, good little trip.