The museum also had a couple of “Maiko” wearing kimonos and in full make-up. “Maiko” are apprentice Geisha and in Kyoto its not uncommon to see them around touristy areas. They are often very accommodating and if you ask them politely they will usually allow you to take a picture with them. But enough of that boring stuff….

While there I saw this “Mack Daddy” or “Daddy Mack” if you will macking it up with the “Maiko” there. Sure he must have been 100 years old, but guess who’s in the middle of a Maiko sandwich! Not only that, but the dude has it going on with the clothes he’s wearing. I’m sure the ladies were impressed with his t-shirt! He’s more stylish than 99% of teenagers and that my friends is a scientific fact!

Here I am with him hoping that some of his coolness will somehow rub off on me!

So this past August I was wondering the streets of Kyoto, Japan when I noticed that there were a number of signs with the word “snob.” I was kind of wondering if there were a bunch of arrogant, good for nothing rich people around but after some investigation I realized that the Japanese just like listing “snob ” to the names of hair salons.

Japan has a lot of funny English but this one is kind of bizarre. Anywho, that’s how they do it in Japan!

Every time I go to Japan I find that I have no trouble going to sleep. Maybe it’s the long journey, jet lag, flying from east to west, the stress of being in a new place, who really knows??? What I do know is that when I go I’m usually exhausted when bedtime comes. However, it’s not just that cause I also find that I sleep a little differently, and not only that I’ve noticed that the Japanese sleep different and it seems to have rubbed off on me… Check out these pics…

Notice how I have my hands joined together on top of my chest. It looks like I’m at my own funeral. I don’t think I do this when I’m in Canada…

This baby has decided to go a different route by extending his arms outwards. Again, it almost looks like we’re dead!

Here’s another baby. It’s almost like they got together before bedtime and planned this!

Back to the “I was killed on the spot” pose…

Of course if you are an adult then there is no better place to rest than at the local electronics store. I mean where else can you sleep under the glare of about a 1000 fluorescent lights and the noise of thousands of different electronic appliances? (Notice how all the shoes have been removed. Now that’s Japan!)

Finally, I’ve saved the best for last and perhaps this is a pose that I can copy when I go to sleep in Canada. You have to admit that she looks pretty relaxed! And yes… she is actually sleeping and not just making a quick adjustment.

OK I’m going to bed!

I’ve been to many bars, pubs, restaurants, and Izakaya’s(traditional Japanese pubs) in Japan but I’ve never been to one quite like this. Aptly named, Girls Ghetto, this place was a real hole in the wall. It seriously was a dirty place, probably because it was in an old, poorly maintained building beside the beach. The bar used plastic picnic chairs and tables and the bathroom… well you don’t even want to go there.. Seriously, you really don’t. Anyway Girl’s Ghetto is only open during the summer for two months in Shimoda, Shizuoka when everyone in Japan flocks to the beach.

The good part of Girls Ghetto was that it was staffed by 5 girls, who I think are all friends just working there for the summer. I’m pretty sure the bar is owned by some guy but he was never there. If he was there the place wouldn’t be living up to its name, and we can’t have that now can we???

The Girls were all really nice and as you can guess from the following photo, a little crazy.

Shimoda is a nice place but its really only busy for about a month a year. I think a lot of young people from Tokyo decide to move to Shimoda for the summer because who doesn’t want to work on the beach during the summer? Having said that, its tough work being in the sun all day renting out beach equipment and serving drinks to tourists. As for these girls, they start work at about 6:30 pm and are there till sunrise. I went back to the bar the next day and all of the girls looked super tired. I wonder if they will come back next year.

The manager and the waitress also sang “Happy Birthday” to me too! Check out the waitress’s tambourine! Yaaaaayyyy!!!

This last photo is of my friend’s kid. I don’t know where he got the idea to stick Kleenex up his nose and in his ears, but that’s the kind of innovative thinking that I like!

Today is a special edition post as it’s the Japanese election. I’m not going to go all political on all 2 of my readers but when I was in Japan this past August I often saw many vans driving around with people inside waving with their white gloves at people on the street. These vans have loud speakers attached to the roof and are used by candidates and their supporters to get the message out! Kind of like this…

Here’s a shot of some cute election van girls that spend their time waving at people as they drive by. I don’t know who they are supporting but they’ve got my vote!

This next picture was taken right in front of Nagoya’s train station.

Finally a poster that I just happened to stumble upon while walking around Japan. I’m not an expert on Japan’s current Prime Minister, Taro Aso but from what I’ve seen I’m not impressed. I guess neither was the person who put this poster up.

Ever since I saw this ad for “Coolish” I just knew I had to try it. Then that way if my friends asked me “Oh golly darn gee Mike-san, are you hot?” I could just grab a Coolish and reply…. “mmmm I’m feeling kind of Coolish” and then bring the drink up to my face and smile. This product was made for advertising!

Coolish is a great drink and if you ever find yourself in Japan in the summer, you must try it.  It’s basically an ice cream drink and believe me when its hot, it will make you feel “Coolish.” Very good!

Just take a look at the above picture. It was 35 degrees when this picture was taken, but do I look like I care? No, I don’t. Want to know why? Cause I’m feelin’ kinda Coolish.

Coolish can be had at any Convini (Convenience Store) or even a Supermarket. Note: if you buy it at the Supermarket it will be a little cheaper. The cost to feel Coolish is about USD$1.50.  Now that’s cheap if its 35 degrees and you want to feel Coolish! God, I love that name! It just works on so many levels!

I arrived at Tokyo Narita Japan on July 26 this year. The last time I used Tokyo Narita Airport was nearly 6 years ago on July 25, 2003 when I was returning to Canada from an internship in Japan. In 2001, I arrived in Narita on July 29 to begin my JET teaching career. I also used Narita the first time I ever visited Japan and that was in around the end of July in 1996. Why do I remember these dates? Because they’re in my old passport! Isn’t it weird how I seem I end up going to Narita at the sametime in random years? Anyway just thought I’d mention it.

Here’s a shot of the departures area in Narita. That sure is a big board!

The airport obviously has many restaurants to help kill the time. So if you’re feeling a little bored, why don’t you try a “Blood Orange?” It’s only 480 yen, which works out to about USD$5

One other interesting I found at the airport are what look like to be water cannons mounted on the roofs of stores near the exits. I’m not sure but I suppose they are there to stop any fires and it looks like they have cameras mounted on them and can be controlled remotely.

The above was taken at Calgary International Airport. It’s the line up for Air Canada departures. I was a bit stressed as the line up moved really slowly and was incredibly long. Thankfully though I made it in time for my Vancouver connection.

I might be wrong on this one but I believe that is the town of Banff.

Taking Japan Airlines Flights can be fun as they offer a couple of views from externally mounted cameras.

Another thing that makes Japan Airlines unique, (well at least from any other airline that I’ve ever been on) is that they offer exercise videos to help you stretch from your seat.

It might be difficult to see but if you look closely you’ll see three hands way up in the air!

Yesterday, I attended my friends wedding just outside of Calgary at the  Springbank Links Golf Course. It was a different experience since almost all of the weddings I’ve been to have been held in churches and hotels. I had a really good time and it was nice that the wedding and reception were held in the same place.

The day was perfect and as you can see the scenery absolutely beautiful. This is the view of Calgary’s downtown from the Springbank Links Golf Course clubhouse.

Here’s a shot of Paul and Rie walking down the aisle just after being pronounced husband and wife.

Their first dance.

Paul will vehemently deny that he likes dancing but those of us who know him, know that this is a complete and total lie. The man was born to be a dancer and you can bet that if he ever has a chance to bust out some moves, he’s gonna do it.

Here’s Paul making his way through the crowd to get to Rie and remove her garter.  Paul had to draw on every bit of sexy power that he had since Rie would send him back to the end of the line to try again if she wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance. I’m proud to say that Paul made it on his second attempt. Congrats Paul and Rie, may you live a long, happy, and of course sexy lives together!