Picture of the day

Photo taken in Kobe, Japan using the timer on my Lumix GF2. February 12, 2012 at 4:08 PM JST.

Picture of the day

I took this photo on the morning of my last day in Kobe, Japan. Love the long morning shadows laying on the weathered storefront.

Back in the USA

I'm back. I left Japan and flew back to NY on Saturday evening (Japan time) and arrived at JFK airport in NY on Saturday evening (NY time). A very big part of me wanted to stay there indefinitely, though part of me also wanted to return home with a broader perspective on life and humanity. While in Kobe, I tried my best to immerse myself in the local culture by exploring the unfamiliar and interacting with strangers. I'm thankful that I was able to share food, ideas and laughs with the people I have met there. I don't have any regrets about how I spent my time there. I got to experience so much. Perhaps the most memorable part of the trip will be sitting comfortably atop Mount Maya overlooking the city of Kobe while a gentle wind shook the trees and snow flakes landed and melted on my skin. Or maybe the haircut I got at Mottomachi station, where communication was limited strictly to hand gestures and myself making the sound of a pair of buzzers. It might be the beer and conversation I shared with an software engineer at a local bar during the week. But I think the most memorable experience for me will be that of my last night in Kobe:

On my last night in Kobe, I headed back to the little restaurant I had grown so fond of. I purposely left my camera at home because I wanted to enjoy myself just as the others were - without documenting every last detail of every situation. And so when I slid the door to the restaurant open, and the host saw my familiar face, he smiled and said "Only two days ago!". Yes, I was here two days ago and now I'm back! I sat down and ordered a couple pieces of tuna, salmon, and octopus as well as a plate of skewered meats. The sushi was excellent as always. The meat skewers blew my mind... I had two skewers of the following: beef, liver, fatty chicken skin, and chicken & scallion. All of which were drizzled with a sweet teriyaki sauce. By far, the fatty chicken skin skewers were the best. As I ate them I thought: man, this tastes like chicken skin but who would cook just the skin?

After my sushi and tasty little meat skewers, I used my phone to learn how to say "Can you recommend anything?". The host looked at me and said "beef?" I nodded and he went right over to the grill and pulled a kabob off for me. This was a kabob of the tastiest tender meat I've ever had and it was drizzled with a sweet peanut sauce. I gave him the thumbs up. After that I pulled the menu out and looked at what else I could try on my last night in Japan. As I browsed a stranger came up to me and said "Would you like some?" and pointed to his plate. I had no idea what it was. It looked like an omelet though the top of it seemed to be moving. I was surprised to hear this man speaking English, but I was even more surprised when the man sitting next to me said "Japanese pizza" with a smile. I tried a good sized portion and it was delicious! It did not taste anything like American pizza. It was tangy, mostly egg, with mozzarella and the top layer, which seemed to be moving were finely shaved truffles which were shaved so thin that the heat from the pizza made them flutter. I thanked him and we talked for a few minutes. I tried to buy him a beer but he said he was full and had to go.

I then struck up a conversation with the man next to me. Turns out; he teaches English at a local school and he spoke it very well. I explained to him all that I had done in Kobe and my trip to the temples in Kyoto. I told him of my hike to the top of the nearby mountain and my experiences mingling with people on the street. We then talked about places we've been and things we've seen and what we thought of people in general. I told him that I thought that there were more good people in the world than bad, and I think he understood me though I don't think he told me what he thought. Either way, he was a nice guy and we shared a bottle of Sake.

When I was about to leave, I asked him to thank the host at the door and tell him how much I appreciated eating at the restaurant the 5 or so times during the last two weeks. I asked him to thank him for his patience and hospitality and that this restaurant was one of my fondest experiences while in Japan. As it turns out, this host was actually the owner of the restaurant and he was delighted to hear this. He bowed and thanked me with a big smile and while I sat back rubbing my belly and talking with the school teacher, he brought out another bottle of Sake and two glasses saying "presento". I felt so genuinely good. It was a great way to end my time in Japan.

A night in Kobe

Last night I went out for dinner at the same little restaurant I ate at the night before. And again, I ordered almost the same thing. The sushi here is just THAT good. It was a dark and rainy night and I had a great time with my street photography. The paper lanterns are so photogenic... I also popped into an arcade (there are many of them and they're all over the place) and snapped a few shots of the games people were playing. On a wall above some of the games were the words: You forget your daily life with the powerful charm of a game. Before heading back to my room I popped into a bar and had an Asahi beer. The funny thing about being here is that the locals treat you like a rock star: "Ohhhh... American?? Ahhh!!!" they are even more excited when you tell them you're from New York. One guy I talked to for quite a while was very proud of his wrist band that read: I heart boobies! and he posed for a picture. Time to head back out with my two coworkers who just arrived from New York themselves... They want sushi. I think I know a place where I can take them...

Disposable Heroes

Wow, I know this is wishful thinking but I will be gunning for this print tonight around 3:00am. This is Shepard Fairey's latest work. There are 450 of these signed and numbered prints going up for sale at his website tomorrow around 1:00pm (US Eastern Time). I haven't been able to score the last few released prints but perhaps my luck will change tonight. Twittle-fingers, don't fail me now! This print has especially specific meaning to me, as my little brother just joined the US Marines. I'm supportive and proud of him, though I tried to dissuade him for the past several years. See Metallica's Disposable Heroes lyrics here.

Sushi-o tabemasu

Last night, when I arrived at the Mottomachi station from my trip to Kyoto, I did a little shopping and then grabbed a bite before heading back to the hotel. I had a hankering for sushi so I found a little alley and explored. There are so many places to find sushi in Kobe that I was having a difficult time deciding. While looking over a menu (read: looking at pictures of food) outside of one restaurant, a cook inside was waving me in. So I popped in and sat down. I know how to say “Tonight I’ll eat sushi” and so I let him know. But the problem is: that’s my limit. He then pulled a card full of kongi and asked me which type I would like. I was screwed! After a couple of minutes of me trying to explain what type I’d like, he brought me a plate with different types of fish on it! I pointed to the ones that I wanted (tuna, salmon, shrimp, and some other type of white fish). He then pointed to each of them saying: “one, one, one, one?” to which I replied: “No no; three, three, three, three Kudasai!” Good lord, it was delicious! I am not getting tired of eating sushi over here. It’s 100X better than Sushi back home. The rice is always perfect; not too soft. And the fish just tastes so much fresher!

Half way through my meal, a man walked in and sat down next to me. He ordered a bunch of sashimi. Good idea! I called the waiter over and asked for the same. So then came my fresh slabs of tuna, salmon and octopus. Oh, how I love eating here in Japan!

Tō-ji Temple - Kyoto Japan

Yesterday I took a train from Kobe to Kyoto (54 minutes taking the local JR train) to visit some of the ancient temples. I was able to see a bunch of the countryside while I traveled mostly north and read a dharma book on the way. At the Tō-ji Temple there were a few beautiful buildings and a large five-tier pagoda which is the tallest wooden structure in Japan. Standing inside this prominent pagoda was amazing… you should have seen the size of the wooden pillars running up through the center. You’re not allowed to take any photographs inside any of the structures so I can’t show you, but I’m very glad that I got to experience it. That goes for all of Japan really. I’m just so glad to be here. Inside one of the main halls stood twenty-one Buddhist statues, five of which are of Buddha and gilded. The other statues are kings. You can read more about this here. The statues are huge and very impressive! I enjoyed myself.

Above Left: Nice looking track bike. Above Right: It's Howdy Doody time!

Above Left: Kobe street corner at early morning. Above Right: Hankyu Rail Car.

Above Left: Kyoto Station. Above Right: Wanted! (most dishonorable!)

Above Left: Hot tea from a vending machine. Above Right: Tō-ji Temple.

Above Left: Taxis wait outside Kyoto Station. Above Right: A Taxi at Tō-ji Temple.

Above Left: Tō-ji Pagoda. Above Middle: McDonalds in Kyoto. Above Right: Stairs at Tō-ji.

Above Left & Right: Halls at Tō-ji Temple.

Above Left & Right: Halls at Tō-ji Temple.

Picture of the day

Ancient building at the Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan.