A Damn Fine Vacation

Everyone needs a break now and then. So whats a good way to take a break from living in another country where I barely speak the language and stand out way too much? Do the same thing In another Country!

It was hot as hell but I was still cool.

We all know that vacations are rests from work- but I tell ya, going through the whole process of being lost and feeling completely incompetent again for 7-days straight aint much of a rest. But believe it or not its been more fun than that.

The most notably new experiences include- Sleeping in Capsules. Not as small as you'd expect and rather comfy. Even for a big fella like me. Other hostels had good accomendations but in a shared cabin space. So in a way these were bigger. Out of all Japan, these things were sizable enough to  fit me properly.

As for the Trains and Planes and even Bicycle lanes, thats something completely different.

The highlight of the trip was our day of tours. Earlier we had met up with a few local friends of my guide Jiro. We all got along quite well, but to my dismay only on of them spoke fluent - nay- any English. Leaving me to e the outcast for most of the day. Even So, we were able to communicate well enough to teach each other kids games and order food and have an overall good time.

And Said good time started out as a mistake. On our special day of tours, we were scheduled to visit the Suntory Whiskey Factory. Delicious sipping and a free tour to boot? Yes please.

Unfortunately, we jumped the wrong bus and ended up at the other Suntory factory tour- for Beer. Oh the sorrow! Not only had we to go through TWO factory tours, but we had to sit through TWO free tastings. CRIMINEY!

Even though we, or at least I, didn't understand a word, these things are pretty universal. Especially since everybody really just wants to get to the tasting at the end.

First they always take you around the long track of the factory to see every last boiler on display. And considering how hot it was already that day, everybody shuffled through that section real quick. At least they do the kindness of taking you through the storage shed. Hundreds of Kegs all agging in a single storeroom- you could just breath and you'd start stumbling like a drunk sailor.

But boy was the wait worth it.

Here's Jacon being useful. 

Everybody was smiles that day.

The face of Satisfaction

Though Japanese know their brews and broths, the high point for me was truly the many temples and shrines we trotted through. Scenic doesn't even begin to describe it though.

On this particular night, the air was heavy and the night lit by
the occasional Lightning.

These aged gateways of prayers and well wishes ran all along the mountainside. It was a sobering clime, mostly  because it was a tough climb even when our shirts  weren't sagging like wet blankets. Even so it was a blissful contrast to the crowded streets and train cars. 

There isn't much else to say except that I loved Japan despite its unaccommodating size. I'd love to and likely will go back in due time, but first I'd better save up. Japan costs a FORTUNE!

My body is SO HOT but i'm still soooo cool.

So what a party its been round these parts. So wild. I hardly have time to sit or sleep, let alone write! Which is of course a wild exaggeration. Nut hey, its a better excuse than "I'm so lazy it should be a sin." So for those who may have forgotten since i've been away, here is what I still look like.

Same old handsome devil. So dreamy.

 So most regular days i'm just living out my term here as a regular Joe. Enjoying rare eats when i'm able but mostly just back to a base diet of cheep and easy bachelor food. When i'm not to busy with banging korean phrases into my extra thick skull or strumming away at the Bass for my own tone-deaf appreciation of musical slop, I'm often at my neighbors partaking in an early afternoon brunch and wine. We even get crafty at times and whip little things like this up.

This is a spicy one! Had to reseal the bottom
with leather and Glue. Works just fine.

Nice Night Lights, but not real candles.
At least we got to drink all that beforehand.

Recycling our bottles like this keeps us from having to take out the garbage to often. Of course we don't have much else to do with them but give them away, but we may be forming a secret plan with them soon. Though we've yet to see what hatches from that.

As for work, its been a busy summer break, since break is non-existent in Korea. Oh sure, plenty of teachers and students both want their vacation time, but its Korean Governmental standards that all students take optional-mandatory summer classes. Just to get those 9-extra hours of studies in.

What they don't understand is that most kids don't give an owl's hoot about extra classes. Especially English, so i get a handful of 18-year old robots in shut-down mode. After this week, we eventually demoted our class time from actual language studies to just playing Frisbee. In English of course but the only thing they really learned that day was that Frisbees aren't always reserved for just dog toys. They're still wrapping their head around that one though...

This weekend was a particularly dreary time as we all got to venture out to some traditional villages to learn about culture and -what else- ENGLISH! Yet despite the best efforts of our leaders, this was the general mood of the day:

YUP. Right there with ya guys.

The truth is, ITS JUST TOO DANG HOT! The humidity is like nothing I've suffered before. I would compare most likely to a sun scorched desert, but at least in a place like that i'd be able to find a scorpion den to roll into to relieve myself of this sweltering heat storm. 

As such, it shouldn't be a surprise that the most fun had this weekend was in the cool AC'd room.

This was the most energy we were able to muster...

Others though seemed to handle it quite well. 

Since I've been here I've been lucky enough to make some great friends, despite the poor statistical ratio of meet foreigners in the most 'traditional' region of Korea. Even so, the musically inclined despot from Chicago- David Kelly- 

Don't be deceived. He's as bawdy as a sailor!

 And the well  curated chief of all things Japanese, coffee, tea and culture - Jiro Hara-  Who i will be travelling through Japan with very shortly during our actual vacation. 

Certainly looks cultured enough.

 So an exciting time is expected ahead. A full week in Japan. Running to-and-fro in a second foreign country where I don't speak the language is just my idea of a good time too!