does anyone have a copy of Kilroy Was Here that i can borrow?

March, 2011

Seattle to Japan to Hong Kong to Seattle

Finally, I was going to cross Asia off my list of continents to ski.  I’ve had a goal for a few years to knock them all off by the time I’m forty and now I would only have Africa to go. (which will happen next year in case anyone is interested)  And to top not only tackling another continent, I get to do it with one of my best friends that I’ve known since kindergarten.

Greg is currently living and working in Hong Kong, but he’s going to meet me in Tokyo and then we’ll journey to Nagano.

It should be noted at this point, I don’t speak a lick of Japanese, nor have I ever been to Asia.  Thankfully, Greg has both covered.  He’s fluent in Japanese and actually lived there for a semester of undergrad and two years of graduate school.  Without him I’m not sure this trip would have happened.  Needless to say, I’m stoked.  That’s right, “stoked”, Spicoli.

We’d been talking about this trip for quite a while, but it kinda snuck up fast.  I actually booked my flights about a week before my departure date.  So not a ton of prep was done aside from deciding what gear to bring.  Look at a map? Nah.  Maybe check out a guide book? No way.  How about a peak at the weather?  Your joking.  I’ve got gear for all conditions, a passport, and a credit card.  Let’s roll.

Day one, 3/3

SEA to NRT

A straight shot.  My intent was to try and sleep.  My excitement got the better of me.  As soon as I settled in to my seat I was bouncing off the fuselage.  I was emailing and texting anyone that would listen and even those that wouldn’t.  This would be a fitful flight.

I left on a Thursday at noon and arrived on a Friday at 4:00pm.  Somehow, it seemed like it took a couple of hours, really.

Greg was waiting outside baggage claim and we were off to Tokyo by train.  We were going to meet his buddy from grad school that still lives there for dinner, then off to Nagano.

We met for sushi in Tokyo station.  You might be thinking, “sushi in a train station?”  I was thinking the same thing, but it was fantastic.

I came to Asia with an open pallet in mind.  I’m fairly reserved when it comes to sushi; mainly sticking to rolls and things I know.  But I decided to throw my inhibitions out the window and follow my grandma’s mantra; “try everything on your plate at least once.”  So I let my compatriots do the ordering.

It was awesome.  I ate stuff that I never would have and for the most part I liked it all.  I’m not going to try and kid you that everything was great, but I gave it a go.  I had a bunch of sashimi; octopus, eel, scallops, tuna, shrimp, and salmon and a number of different rolls with varied ingredients.  I decided I’d ask after the fact what it was I just ingested.  It turned out to be a solid plan.

Tons of great food and a few beers later Greg and I were bound by train for Nagano.  In the meager amount of prep time for this trip I’d talk to friends or co-workers about my upcoming vacation and the conversation was typically the same:

Me:  “I’m off on vacation to ski in Japan.”

Lawrence:  “Really, you can ski in Japan?”

Me:  “Yah, I’m going to Nagano.”

Lawrence:  “Where?”  (sometimes it was, “never heard of it.”)

Me:  “They had the Olympics there.”

Lawrence:  “Really?”  (sometimes it was, “oh yeah.”)

…and scene…

Back on the train to Nagano and you’d think sleep would catch up to me.  Nope.  With feet on the ground, so to speak, and sometime to catch up with my pal, I was doubly stoked.  At Nagano we hopped on a local train to the mountain.  I was actually too excited to sit so we stood for the forty five minute ride.

Along the way a nice looking gentleman got on.  Actually, he looked like Nick Nolte in that infamous mug shot except his face was bright red.  A tell tale sign for most Asians.

Had I had this pre-disposition to the outwardly visual effects of alcohol I think my mom would have sent me to seminary when I was a youth.

Back to my pal Henry on the train.  At one point he was teetering on the edge of his seat, swaying back and forth  and I honestly thought he was going to topple.

henry

Stick figures don’t do it justice, but instead of falling he decided to puke.

That’s right, puke.  But being the kind, courteous gentleman that Henry is, he cupped his hands ala the Allstate guy from the commercial and chundered in his makeshift cup.  Unfortunately, his cup runeth over and the vomit began to ooze out on to the floor.  He held strong though, and kept those hands pressed together for several stops.  And one by one all of his surrounding riders began to move to the back of the train as the stench became more and more potent.

Fueled by embarrassment and probably a need for another drink, Henry stumbled off at the next exit.  Sadly, for Henry, his feet betwixted one another when he hit the pavement and he went for a tumble.  I’m not sure why, honestly, but for some reason Henry decided to protect his treasure and thusly, opted to land on his elbows instead.  The end result however was a face full of vomit as his grill plunged straight in to this cupped hands of goodness.  Gravity and too much sake is a bitch.

A few stops later and we had arrived at out destination that would be home base for the next few days.  It was about 11:30pm as we found our way to our hotel.

We were staying at an all inclusive, of sorts, hotel.  They provided breakfast and dinner, but the best thing about this place was the onsen.  An onsen is a Japanese bath fueled by a natural hot spring coming from within the mountain.

Upon checking in we headed straight for the onsen.  Along the way Greg explained the rules:

onsen

1. The only suit allowed is of the birthday variety.
2. Only the small washcloth is allowed in the bath room.
3. The washcloth is never allowed in the bath water itself though.
4. You must thoroughly bath at one of the bathing stations.  (s stool with a flexible shower hose and a variety of soaps.)
5. Dripping water on the tatami (the floor of the changing room) is the same as pissing on it.  In other words, don’t do it.

So after a long flight, multiple train rides, and no sleep the onsen felt unbelievable.  I thought I was going to pass out right there in the tub.

Back in the room I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow.  I haven’t fallen asleep that quickly in a long, long time.

 

Tomorrow we ski.  Tonight, I’d sleep and dream of you.  Yes, you.