| | So it has been a while let's see what I can remember....
Well a while ago I went to a bar called Bar Moonwalk. I know very ambiguous starting but bear with me. So two of my friends from the states, Sam and Chas went with me to this bar in Kyoto called Bar Moonwalk. Well it turns out there are really 4 of them on the same street, some big chain, but that is beside the point. So we get there and being the huge 外人 (gaijin, foreigners) we are we stuck out like three really big sore thumbs. This bar has to be my favorite because its one small room that is kinda long and only has one long table in it so you literally have to sit with whoever else is at the bar also. Its very good for the social atmosphere. Now either the fact that the place was so small or we were just so big meant that one of us could fill the whole doorway, blocking everything. Remember that fact.....
Ok, so we get in and there are already a good amount of people there but there is enough room just for us. So we are surrounded by all Japanese people. As we walk in there are some guys doing shots and they see us and start yelling hello and greeting us. Well we sit down and they proceed to pour us tequila shots. So we get to know these guys, talk to them and everyone else in the bar. We are having a good time, drinking, when all of a sudden one of the guys starts yelling at his friend and then jumps across the table swinging. The three of us were shocked, and didn't know what to do. This is where the size factor sets in.
Now I am not really that big of a guy, about 6'1" (185.5cm), 189 lb. (85.8 kg), but Sam and Chas are bigger, and the guy was about 2/3 my size. Therefore, we controlled the place quite nicely. After a lot of yelling, and a lot of us moving people, we finally got the guy out of the bar. For him to only run back in 5 mins later. Again we pretty much pick him up and get him to leave. The three of us this time waiting, blocking the doorway, till he gets in the elevator with his friends and is on his way. I felt kind of useful and because of that the bartender remembers us every time we come back.
.............................................................................................................................................................................
Next,
So on Saturday the 20th. we had a class field trip to Nara. So I take my bike to the train station in the morning and leave it nearby. Something I do frequently. Well we go to Nara, had a good time, then came back at like 4pm. I go to get my bike and bam!, it isn't where I left it......
Well now I should tell you that parking a bike here in Kyoto is sometimes an art. Most places that you would think are convenient places to park a bike, like near the train station, next to a store, or even a business, are illegal places to park. That is where the art comes in. If you can find a place that you think is safe grab it and hope your bike doesn't get towed, cause they do impound bikes here.....
So my bike is missing. The problem is that I had put it in a JTB parking area. I kind of just lifted it over the chain that was blocking the place off and decided that it would be safe. Bad assumption. I am think either someone took it (not likely), or they towed it (more likely). So I take the train home feeling kinda shitty. Well I get home, talk to my parents about it and they are like we will inquire about it after dinner. So after dinner we drive to the place where I left it. I show them where it was and they read the sign on the cone near there. Paraphrasing, the cone said, "Private parking area if you park here without permission we can get 1 man en from you." (1 man en = $100). Now I am really freaking....
So we are looking in the building trying to find someone to ask if I could please get my bike back. We can't find anyone so we are getting something to write with when I happen to glance in this public parking lot and see it. I was so surprised. My host dad says the management must have saw it and moved it to the public lot in front for me..... nicest effin people ever.
So those are the good ones lately. I am sure there are more to come..... here is a couple of my favorite pics from the temple in Nara......
On our way to the Entrance of Horyuji
Bunch of little kids in yellow hats.... must have been a field trip
Layout of the temple complex....
Yay Pagoda
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| | Posted 10/22/2007 3:50 AM - 7 views - 1 comments
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