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Archive for May, 2007

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Yoyogi-Koen + Irezumi + Manga Cafe

Sunday, May 13th, 2007

On Sunday morning I walked Megumi to work and begun to venture towards Yoyogi Park for a massive Thai festival that Anthony told me about. I took my time enjoying the European-city feel of Kawaguchi before heading into the JR Station. Just before I bought the ticket Megumi came running up to me and explained that they changed the schedule and today is her day off.   

[read on]

Posted in - Photography, Asia, Japan, Japan: Toyko | 1 Comment »

Back Alley Establishments

Saturday, May 12th, 2007

After all of the drinking I did last night, I was surprised to wake up relatively early. Took advantage of the fact that I can now bath more frequently then twice a week and hopped in for a quick shower before heading out for the day… Ah! I still had a few hours to kill before meeting Horiyou to discuss a new tattoo I want to start. I slowly headed in the direction of Oostuka and took a few photos of regular Tokyo city-life on the way.   [read on]

Posted in Asia, Japan, Japan: Toyko | 3 Comments »

Roppongi Madness!

Thursday, May 10th, 2007

After taking care of a few last minute errands at the farm, I loaded a backpack full of dirty laundry into Yulia’s car and drove to Kawaguchiko. It was pretty uneventful hitchhiking from her house to the bus station, but I was fortunate enough to have a good neighbor for the bus ride: Soh just spent the last three years going to school in Pasadena and spoke good English. Upon arriving in Shinjuku we hung out for a little while playing 2 Spicy and he helped me look for a prepaid mobile. Unfortunately the phone was too expensive, but I did make a new acquaintance and found yet another person that proves Japanese are some of the friendliest and most helpful people in the world!

I checked into a dumpy little hostel in Central Tokyo, and was finally able to wash the laundry that had been accumulating dirt and sweat during the last few weeks of farm work. After a well-needed shower, outfitted in fresh clothes, I made my way to Roppongi Crossing and met Kanako and Yuri, her friend who is visiting from San Francisco.    [read on]

Posted in Asia, Japan, Japan: Toyko | No Comments »

Truck Surfing and Leaf Eating

Monday, May 7th, 2007

At 9am on Monday I’d normally be waking up for a day of work on the farm. Fortunately, due to the massive recovery wake from this weekend’s festivities I arose for something entirely different. Jake let Adam and I have the day off so we could attend a vegetarian BBQ in the nearby town of Kofu. The only difficulty was that we had to find a way there. It was way too far to consider walking, and everybody else from the café with a car was still recuperating.

Luckily, the people who invited us, Marcel and Chris were kind enough to drive the two hour round trip to pick us up. The only catch was that Marcel drives a typical Japanese miniaturized pick up truck and we would have to ride in the back. Speeding around in the cab of one of these coffins on wheels is a terrifying experience by itself, but “surfing” in the back of one through the winding curves of the mountains is an absolute adrenaline rush!! [read on]

Posted in - Transport & Travel, Asia, Japan, Japan: Yamanashi | No Comments »

Children’s Festival & Baleric Sunrise Rave

Sunday, May 6th, 2007

5.6.07 – It’s hard to deny that you are alive when you look up to the dawn sky, dancing in the mud amongst the falling rain with a girl named Ai (Japanese word for love) who earlier the night before dropped a hit of acid on your tongue. As surreal as that sounds on its own, once you throw Mt. Fuji being at your doorstep and the contrast of events preceding the moment it is hard to think of any day remotely comparable. [read on]

Posted in - Music, - Photography, Asia, Japan, Japan: Yamanashi | No Comments »

Narusawa, Yamanashi, Honshu, Japan, Asia, Earth

Saturday, May 5th, 2007
This is where I’m currently living:
Japan

Posted in Asia, Japan, Japan: Yamanashi | No Comments »

Meeting People and Doing Things in Rural Japan

Friday, May 4th, 2007

I’ve learned that there is no such thing as a typical day on this farm. The unique work I’m doing changes everyday as we get closer to the festival. It keeps the days fun, but the real magic of this place reveals itself at night. As Jake described it, the Solar Café is a place where people come together. I don’t think he could have said it any better way. In the weeks preparing for the festival I’ve met the most unlikely cast of characters who have provided exceptionally interesting interactions.    [read on]

Posted in Asia, Japan, Japan: Yamanashi | 1 Comment »

5.14 – Mō Atode…

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007

Sorry for the lack of regular updates these past couple weeks. Between farm work, the rave, children’s festival, and a short trip to Tokyo (which I’m still now on) I have been sooooo busy that I’ve hardly found time at a computer. I plan to take it easy this next week and catch up on some blogging and tell you about my adventures in Japan, but if you can’t wait for more verbal descriptions you can check out the several hundred photos I’ve taken recently by clicking here. After all, they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Posted in - Photography, Asia, Japan, Japan: Toyko, Japan: Yamanashi | No Comments »

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