Classic Japanese Sign Humor

Lady Gaga: The Morning After in Kobe

Upon returning from Guam, we went to a city called Kobe. This is where the famous and delicious beef gets its name. I was able to scalp a ticket to the Lady Gaga concert and join Michael & friends, who already had much coveted tickets to the sold out show. It was an awesome show, and the Japanese came to party. The girls were decked out in full Gaga look-a-like costumes -- unlike anything you've ever seen and its one of the things that makes Japan so special. For what the individuals lack in personality, they make up for in good costumes.

The morning after, we decided to have some Kobe beef before we left..."when in Rome," so to speak. The food, typical of almost every meal I've had in Japan, was SOOOO good. Lots of variety, perfect portions and tons of flavor. As you can see, costumes made an appearance once again...

Japanese baseball! Go Hiroshima Carp!

On my last day in Japan, we went to Hiroshima -- thinking we would explore the city and a park/garden we hadn't been to yet. But, as soon as we got off the bullet train, we guessed the Hiroshima Carp were in town playing at the local Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium. Yes, that's what the stadium is really called. The baseball jerseys were everywhere. So, we decided to check it out and see if we could score tickets. And, luckily, there were tickets available and we got to see a Japanese major league baseball game for the first time. A previously big TO DO on my list.

SO MUCH FUN. The Japanese only really cheer and get excited when their team is up to bat; otherwise they're quiet and let the opposing fans have their turn when the home team is out in the field. But wow, do the Japanese cheer. I mean, there's a unique cheer/song/dance routine/trumpet score for each player. We couldn't understand any of it, but it's just fun to get caught up in it. The beer girls have kegs for backpacks, every fan (and that meant us) had miniature bats and banged them together for the entire game, and the fans tried (unsuccessfully) to do the YMCA but managed (successfully) to simultaneously let off hundreds of phallic pink balloons in the seventh inning.

In the end, the Hiroshima Carp got crushed. Apparently, they're last in the division. Ah well.

Cherry Blossoms

April was Cherry Blossom season, which the Japanese celebrate by lots of outdoor drinking underneath the trees. No drinking pics here -- I was busy licking cherry blossom-flavored soft serve ice cream or eating octopus balls (the Japanese LOVE their soft serve ice cream, especially the green tea flavor).

A few generic pictures of me and cherry blossom trees just for the heck of it.

Guam

Activities done in Guam-
beach. snorkeling. waterslides. more beach. more waterslides. Guam beer. eating at outback steakhouse. even more beach. swimming away from triggerfish. watching Japanese people get married. dried mango.

Conversations had in Guam-
Person from Guam: Where are you from?

Me: New York

Person from Guam: Why did you come HERE?

Me: I was visiting Japan.

Person from Guam: Ahhh.

Apparently, Americans from the mainland do not visit often. Well, I'll say this -- for sheer beach value, water quality, and landscape, Tumon Bay in Guam rivals Waikiki in Honolulu.

Monkeys, Bamboo in Kyoto

The first weekend in my recent visit to Japan kicked off on a high note in the Arashiyama section of Kyoto. Free-roaming Japanese monkeys, bamboo, and geishas...all in their natural habitat. I'm nervous about photographing geishas -- afraid that their pimps will come after me and destroy my camera. Geisha-spotting in the Gion district at night while they're making house calls in neighborhoods that feel 500 years old is a great way to spend an evening. But, alas, I have no pics of this, so you'll have to settle for free-roaming monkeys and tall bamboo groves. 2 out of 3 ain't bad.