Karaoke
Fun fact: the word Karaoke comes from “Carry Orchestra”
Last night/this morning, I karaoke’d for a marathon 6.5 hours with Kyle and two of the staff from the children’s home. Karaoke in Japan is a big freaking deal. We went to a pretty cool karaoke place; we got our own booth, endless drinks (delivered!), and of course, plenty of offkey singing in. There was a hearty selection of American pop songs and our Japanese friends actually knew a bunch too.
I think some of our group’s better songs included:
- Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)
- Wonderwall (Oasis)
- I Want It That Way (Backstreet Boys)
- I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
- Scientist (Coldplay)
There were plenty more great songs. Definitely a highlight of my trip so far, even if it meant I got like three hours of sleep.
Island Trip
Just got back yesterday from a 5-day trip to Sado Island off the western coast of Japan. Here are the kiddies on the ferry.
Tokyo Tower
One of the tallest buildings in Tokyo, I think. It’s got an aquarium, an amusement park, and an observation deck. It was a pleasant surprise to walk out of a building after running an errand and look up and see it relatively close. Turned out to be within walking distance, so we checked it out.
Lunch Time
I forgot to post this: my bento box lunch from that mountain climbing trip. The seaweed on the eggs spells my name. Amazing! Delicious, too.
Mountain Climbing
…and the view from the top. Pretty clear, as far as Japanese weather goes.
Mountain Climbing
Today we climbed Mt. Mikamo (or something). I took this picture because it looks like the little tree is hugging the big tree. Right?
“Evening Chill Festival”
A festival in nearby Koga at sunset. Lots of people in kimonos pushing portable shrines (omikoshi), good food and drink, and plenty of heat. It sort of cooled off at night, but not by much.
This standard yellow and brown car sticker signals an old driver, watch out!
The sticker is an abstraction of an autum leaf, for age.
I like how it seems balanced by the young driver sticker.
This standard green and yellow car sticker signals a young driver, watch out!
The sticker is an abstraction of a sapling, representing youth, I think.
Rain or shine, these kids still know how to play up the cute factor on their way to school. Today is also their last day before summer break.
