Homestay and away

Well its been quite a weekend. Which means this is going to be another long blog. So go get a beer or use the restroom or whatever it is that you may need to do……………………………………… Ok, back? alrighty let`s begin.

Friday

Had a rather interesting class this morning about the relations between Japan and China. I have decided that China is a whinny bitch. They spend their time ragging on Japan and the rest of the world just so their people don`t have time to look inward at their own country and see just how screwed up it is. But that`s a rant that could take awhile so we will move on. After class we went back to the dorms and packed for our homestays. I really wasn`t quite sure what to expect but it was quite a fun time. Yasu (the guy who picked me up) is a student here at Fukuoka majoring in law. We went out to his vehicle and I put my backpack in the side of his Chevy Astro, that`s right he drives an American van, and there is this cute little Japanese girl there. She smiled and I introduced myself, and Yasu explained that she was a friend of his and that she was going to join us on our trip today. We went to this wonderful Shinto Shrine named Tenimanga (I think that’s how it`s spelled) It was huge There were a part of Red bridges that we crossed to get there, and once inside there were all these golden relics inside this beautiful building. I got lots of photos and I even got a photo with this very beautiful priestess. As we were leaving Yasu asked me if I had ever eaten octopus. I hadn`t and so he bought me some (which was quite good I might add) and for the rest of the trip he tried to feed me octopus where ever we went. Not that I`m complaining cause I have kind of grown fond of it. After that we dropped off his friend and we went to this giant entertainment place, It had several different arcade games, bowling, pool, pingpong, and lots of gambling. The Japanese have some of the strangest forms of gambling I have ever seen but I must say at least its more interesting then sitting in front of a slot machine all the time. Once we had wondered through this place I taught Yasu how to play pool. He really picked it up pretty well.

We then went to his house and I met his mother and father, as well as, this younger sister and brother. His mom showed me my room and as I walked in there sitting in front of me were these 2 beautiful samurai Helmets. I ask Yasu about them later and he said that the bigger one was his and the other was his brother`s. Apparently they were each given them at birth as is custom for when a male child is born. How cool is that I wish we had some really cool custom like that, oh well. I then went out to dinner with this little sister, hanahu, and him and one of his friends. We ate at this really cool restaurant and had drank a beer and talked about where I was from and why I was in Japan and several other things. I impressed them with my mastery for chopsticks, apparently they figured I would need silverware, frankly I like eating with chopsticks more, it`s more of a challenge and they are easier to clean. Hanahu is quite good at speaking English so she played my translator for the the weekend. Ya it was difficult having to talk to a very attractive Japanese girl all weekend. Life is rough After dinner we walked through the rain to another arcade. Did a little gambling, I spent all of about 5 dollars for an hr and a half of gambling, ya got to love that. Then we headed home.

Saterday

Was able to sleep in a bit today and then was feed this huge breakfast by Yasu`s mom. I then watched a bit of baseball and chatted with Yasu and Hanahu to figure out what to do for the day. We decided on going to Canal City, which is this giant shopping complex. After the drive there we went through several stores and then came across this band that was playing in front of this fountain water show so we stopped and listened for awhile then moved on. After a few more shops we went to KFC for food because it had a smoking section. I taught them the wonders of eating ketchup in large amounts and we sat an talked for like 2 and a half hours about the differences between Japanese and American government. It was quite a bit of fun. After that we went wondered the streets a bit and then went back to there house. There father was home and asked me if I wanted to go golfing . Since I hadn`t gone in about a year I naturally said yes and we all went to go play golf. It was a short 9 hole course. All 9 holes were par 3`s the longest of which was 177 yards. I never used more then an 8 iron but it made if great for me to practice my approach game. We played the last 4 holes after the sun went down, because they have lights on their golf courses. Night golf is awesome, though I played like crap. I took a 65 you do the math. The sad thing is I still beat Yasu. I think I spoke him a bit when I took a 9 iron off the tee of 1, which was a 124 yrds and slightly overshot the green. He used a 5 iron on the same hole.

Once we all finished we went home and had a great meal. Then Yasu called up 2 of his buddies and we went out bowling. I got a 125 and took 3rd in the group. Oh well, One of the guys who was bowling with us turned out to be cop here in Japan. He was a lot of fun and a really animated character.
After bowling we played pool. Pool is expensive here, it was 10.50 for an hr. So we played a game of 8 ball. And then I taught them how to play 9 ball. They picked it up really quickly and we had alot of fun. After that we went back home and then Yasu and I stayed up till about 2 in the morning talking about the geography and attractions in Japan and the States.

Sunday

Slept in and then had another wonderful breakfast, I watched some TV and then helped Hanahu with her English homework. It was some pretty difficult stuff. Talking about what we can do to prevent Human Rights violations and why they keep happening, I`m glad we never had anything that difficult in German. Then it was time to say good bye to the family. I gave them there gifts and everyone loved them, took a few photos, and then headed off. But we didn`t head back instead we went north to this town on the ocean that was a bit of a tourist trap. There was a performing monkey and some other street performers, and a live salsa band (how a salsa band ended up in Japan I don`t know) We also met up with Yasu`s ex girlfriend, damn this girl was fine. Turns out she has been studying German for about 4 years and for some reason I was able to speak German better then she could I don`t know if she just know how to read it or what but I had fun and started talkin about different things in German. After watching some street performances and having a beer and some more octopus we headed back for Fukuoka. He dropped me off and we said our goodbyes. I then went up and met with the others. Went started swapping stories then decided to get some food and some beer came back met up with more people as they arrived and we all sat out on our balcony comparing notes and stories for the weekend it was quite a bit of fun. Well I`ve taken up everyone`s time long enough. Hope everyone is ok. Mom and dad I`m glad to hear that you made it through all the tornados this weekend and that no one died. Speaking of Natural disasters I sleep through another aftershock this weekend. I really getting tired of sleeping through things like that. They aren`t as much fun, oh well. Remember everyone;
be careful, and if ya can`t be careful, be Safe;
and if you can`t be safe name it after me.

Deinesaur