Sorato-Ryu Kenjutsu Heiho - Cape Town, Hermanus, Stellenbosch.

Here are some emails from Martin Bryski (one of the dojo's founding students), who has moved to Tokyo to live & work. He can be reached at martin.bryski@gmail.com and has posted a blog at:  martin.blogjapan.jp

Hi Everyone,

 I would love to send individual mail to everyone but that would take a lot of time so I will try and send these general mails to everyone just to keep you informed about the goings on in my life while I am in Tokyo.

 Well this first week here has been absolutely superb, where should I start. Well it was exactly a week since I landed here in Tokyo, plus minus a couple of hours and it has rushed by so fast. Sorry if you have already heard this stuff.

 Landed in Osaka, Kansai international airport and after gruelling 25 minutes in the immigration queue I managed to get to the immigration officer. She was nice but strict so I decided not to be my usual joking self and only speak when spoken to.....it was hard but I managed to get through it. Got my stamps and rushed through the gates to fetch my bag. I was running at this point because the plane had landed late and I was about to miss my domestic flight to Tokyo. Taped my foot about 67 times waiting for my bag to come out. Got my bags and I was running seriously short on time in an airport I had never been in!! Made a break for it and then had to get through customs!!! Damn these international laws. As luck would have it, the customs officer thought it would be nice to go through all my bags!!! OMG, at this point I was in a cold sweat so I did not look very innocent. She then gave me this list and asked if I had anything on my person that was on this list.......Again I had to restrain myself from trying to say or do something funny. Guns....no......Drugs.....no......etc etc, they actually did this, like if I actually had those items I would tell them!!!! Then realised my main bag was damaged and so I struggled to close it again, this was just not happening, my grief meter was on high! Managed to scurry through the airport and get to the domestic check in where everyone looked scared because it was about -1 degrees and I was sweating, blood red and wearing a T-shirt and I was screaming TOKYO TOKYO!!! After there trauma they were able to assist me and the flight I was supposed to catch was also delayed.

 So while I was waiting for my domestic flight to Tokyo I thought that I must be a little stinky and that got me thinking that most Japanese people think that westerners smell like butter (don't ask me) so I went and freshened up. Got on the plane the only westerner and stuck out like a sore thumb, passed out from exhaustion and woke up when we landed in Tokyo. Mayuko was not around when I arrived which was kind of depressing but she had wondered off somewhere else thinking she was waiting at the wrong terminal. When she came back I saw her but she did not see me so I jumped her from behind. Needless to say she crapped herself but when she realised it was me, everything was okay. We then drove off to her family's house. The car was tech`ed out to the max with GPS and auto pay sensors for getting through toll gates that open automatically for the car and money get deducted off the card in car. Parking was also easy, you pay like you would normally in SA but as you exit the parking area you do not need to wind your window down and stick your arm out to insert the card, just drive through and the boon opens automatically if you have paid......awesome!

 Arrived at the home at about 10pm where I was warmly welcomed by the whole family. We then sat down and chatted for a while and I got to get friendly with the family dog, MARU (round/circle in Japanese). I was then showed my room but I was not tired so they decided to take me out for dinner.....we went to Korean Restaurant where I ate so much they had to roll me out, Oshii (delicious). Went back home had and awesome Japanese bath and then passed out on my futton, I woke up at about 1:30pm, I guess I was tired. When I got up an awesome lunch was waiting on the table and it was straight back to the eating. The rules is 5 dishes so there was a lot of variety and again I ate too much but it was all so tasty. Then spent the rest of the afternoon driving around looking for a wireless card for the laptop I was going to borrow from Mayuko. Then we went grocery shopping (everything is bigger there, I mean the fruit and vegetables). Also went to rent a DVD for the evening. When we got home it was late. Driving in Tokyo takes longer than the train so we spent most of the time in the car. When we got home another awesome meal was waiting on the table and again, 5 dishes and I was finished!! Watched the DVD with Mayuko, another awesome Japanese bath and bed.

 The 1st of Feb was the day I had to go fetch my keys for my apartment and collect my cell phone and move into my new apartment BUT not without having a......you guessed it, a 5 dish breakfast. Mayuko`s mom has undertaken to turn me into a SUMO wrestler I believe but I am not complaining, I am doing enough walking around to burn it off......I hope. Got keys, after signing a 1000 documents and picked up my phone and headed towards the apartment. Yip it was small but it was cool, has everything I need, well except and iron, ironing board and a mirror which I will talk about a little later. Tried the laptop, no power, CRAP so we went to a computer store at 21:30, still open until 23:00 but they could not do anything so we went back to Mayuko`s house. We changed the power cable and it work YATTA!! (yay) Then, to celebrate we went out for sushi, again the family insisted on paying and then after the meal we went back to their house were we picked up some essential supplies, ie enough food to feed and army for a week!! Geez. Then the whole family came to my apartment to make sure that I was going to be okay. I almost cried because of how generous they have been to me and they refuse to let me pay for anything, still feel guilty. After they left I went straight to the laptop to send everyone e-mail but the mail was not working!!! Went to bed in frustration, had an important interview in the morning.

 Woke up 6am and got extremely cold, shower took forever to warm up and then got out to have a shave.....CRAP, no mirror, GREAT!!! So I used the kettle to shave and `do` my hair. Got on my business man attire and set off to the train station, a 15 minute work. Had to make a mental note to buy some warm gloves cause my hands almost fell off. I then had a bit of a panic at the train station because the station I was at was not on the rail map. Using my limited Japanese language skills I managed to get assistance from the ticket master, I was on my way with the rest of the working class toward the city. The ride was crowded but I was not complaining, I was neatly squeezed between some nice young ladies and they were keeping me warm. Got off at the right station and then proceeded to walk off in the wrong direction!! Dumbass, after visiting the KOBAN (police box) got the right directions and arrived at my destination, got through security and then waited patiently at reception.

 I was interviewed by three people in total and they were all impressed, of course they were!!! I was nervous as hell but I managed to say what they wanted to hear and they asked me to come back the following week. I was so excited and wanted to have a mini celebration but Mayuko was working and I did not really know anybody else well enough to call them. I had a quiet celebration at Starbucks in the same building, coffee and cookie (whoopie). Went to an internet cafe, did some stuff, use your imagination and then went home with a confident stride. Tried to fix my mail.

 The next two days was spent at the apartment looking for more employment opportunities and trying to fix the mail and living off my army surpluss supply of food. Got the e-mail working on Saturday after trying to figure out the laptop which is all in Japanese, this was not an easy task and was very proud from clicking things based entirely on memory from when I used Windows XP back in SA (applause).

 Sunday was awesome as I was picked up by Mayuko and we went shopping at a speciality store for westerners so that I could get ingredients for my famous chicken soup which I was going to make for Mayuko because she was getting sick. Then went to Harajuku, a shopping district for clothes (girls eyes widen), even in the cold the place was buzzing with people, there was hardly any room to move. Picked up a few thing for Mayuko`s mom and then went to a pastry shop to buy some cakes. On the way back to Mayukos house my mother called and she got her first opportunity to speak to Mayuko.

 I then ended up making my chicken soup for the entire family.....NOW I was nervous but it all turned out perfect and Mayuko`s father literally licked the pot clean so I was so glad. SUCCESS!! We spent the rest of the evening chatting and just learning more about each other and cultures and all that. I then tried to teach Mayuko`s mom the chicken dance.........OMG it was hilarious, her family is great, very happy go lucky. Got dropped off at home and turned on the heater and went to bed.

 Today (Monday), myself and Mayuko spent the whole day together for some alone time and that is all I will say. Well I wrote quite a novel, hope you guys are all enjoying the warm weather over there because I sure am missing it but it will be spring here soon and then I get to see the cherry blossoms, can't wait. Let me know how you are all doing and I will read them all between my Japanese lessons this week. Wish me luck for my interview on Wednesday.

Matta ne!

(seeya later)

Matinosuke (pronounced Ma tin os ke)

Hi Everyone,

Thought I should share this important piece of information with you all. After a gruelling 2 hour interview session with all the big boys at the Ingenium Group I have been employed and begin work on Monday next week. I still can`t believe that it has actually happened, I think I am still in shock.

 I am not sure when I will get a chance to get to Cape Town but hopefully it will be soon, must just see if I can get the days off to go that far, I might have to go to Korea to get my Work Visa. Will keep you informed. For those of you who do not know what job I applied for it is to be a Consultant in a recruitment firm specializing in head hunting top level executives for our clients. The base salary is awesome and the commission is awesome. It will not be easy but I did not come all this way to live on easy street. Thank you everyone for the well wishes for my interview and let it be known that I was thinking of those messages as I was in my interview, they really helped and gave me the confidence I needed. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu!! (thank you very much)  

The company will pay for my travel expenses, give me a housing subsidy and health insurance and also will pay for my telephone (mobile) expenses. I will be consulting in the Consumer Practise Group which includes retail and advertising so I should feel at home.

 Again, thanks everyone and will keep you informed of my progress and movements.

Speak to you later.

 Regards

Martin

Hi Guys, I am sorry if I have not responded to any of you in a while it is just exceptionally busy for me at the moment. Today I had to stay in a que at the immigration office and then got into work late (they knew about it). When I got in I had a goal outlaid for me which I had to go for so now I am completely knackered. I am however very proud of myself as I managed to do in one day what most others here only got done in a week. I busted my nuts because my team leader is a very loud fast talking American that really knows how to hustle. Looking forward to making some serious money here.

 Okay again, I will try and reply to everyone when I get a chance and I will continue to keep you all posted of my progress. I am now off to celebrate Mayuko's birthday and valentines day. She looked after me after my first day so now it is my turn.

 Chat to you all soon.

 Lots of love

~Martin

Hello Everyone,

 I have been a little quiet as I somehow managed to get the laptop all messed up with some virus!! I need to get an English laptop ASAP!!! Well, I managed to get through my first week at my new job and it was super tough, I was told that a lot of people call it quits at this job after the 2nd day or by the end of the week!!! I am so glad I am still here even though I was having my doubts on the 3rd day. Finally met the whole team this morning as some guys were ill or others just came back from their company sponsored holiday in Hawaii for meeting their targets last year.

 Well besides working during the day and into the evening which I am used to I tried as much as possible to spend time with Mayuko. Had dinner with her folks on her birthday/valentines day, awesome meal, sorry Nixon, I do not remember the details, I just remember getting drunk on Champaign and white wine. On Thursday night I met up with Mayuko after work in a place called Kita-Senju (North-Senju) there are lots of brilliant little restaurants here and we went looking for an African restaurant that supposedly was in the area. We did not find it but we did find this cute little Korean restaurant which was in the same building as call girl club, we had our doubts as we walked up the stairs but were pleasantly surprised. Yet again we found a place were they have never had a foreign guest so everyone was looking at us. The food was awesome and it looked like a family business, the beer was good too. We had what was called a hotpot, almost like a stew with ribs and vegetables and Korean spices and stuff, it was good plus some other bits like chicken heart and some stinky cabbage that tasted good, just did not smell great. Once the stew is finished we bough some rice and made a risotto with the left over stew bits and rice......awesome. Korean food is very popular in Japan right now, as well as the Korean male actors, the chicks here dig them.

 Friday night after work myself and a couple of other guys from work, mainly Brits went out for a few beers, 11pm and about 7 pints later I was stumbling to the station, luckily I managed to find the time to put some food into my stomach. Got home safely and passed out. Saturday was nice and lazy and I got out of bed late and then cleaned my small room and washed my clothes. The plan was to meet most of Mayuko's friends at a Korean restaurant at 9pm. I waited for her at the pre-arranged station but SHE got lost!! Never thought that would happen. Anyway, eventually met up with her and we made our way to the place. Met 12 of her friends all at once, it was daunting as only 2 of them spoke any English that was understandable. But soon we were doing some drinking games and the language barrier fell away, it was great. By halfway through the evening I had forgotten all their names except for one dude who's name is Hidari which means 'left' that one was easy to remember.

 We got politely asked to leave the Korean place, closing time, and all jumped into cabs to go to a club! In my semi drunk state I suggested some Tequilas, they agreed. Found this cool place, they knew the owner and the system was great, pay about ¥5000 (about R260) and you could drink all you like!! And boy did we, I lost count of the tequilas and other drinks and again the only foreigner in the place. By the end of the evening I was behind the bar trying to make drinks from back home but they were under stocked. No Jagermeister!!! Anyway, at this point I was too drunk to remember anything and I woke up about 9am in the next morning while Mayuko was getting ready to leave, passed out after and woke up again at 3pm.

 Met up with Mayuko at 6pm to go shopping for suits and more shirts and a birthday present for me MOM, Happy birthday mother!!! Hope your trip was awesome. After that I was starving so we went back to Kita-Senju for a Japanese sushi restaurant. Found this awesome place with very friendly sushi chefs. They all wanted to talk to me as again I was the only foreigner there and they wanted to practise my English, they are always very suprised when I say I am from South Africa (Minami Afrika). What was cool about this place was we were guaranteed that the fish was fresh because they had a massive tank behind the chefs. When they were running out of fish they would ring a bell and some dude would 'catch' a fish with his net and then proceed to cut it up into little sushi pieces very quickly...AWESOME!!! Of course I tried everything they had plus beer, beer makes the hangover go away. Everyone there was so friendly it was great. Well after that we went to visit the folks for a chat and then went home.

 Now I am here at work and should maybe get started - so speak with you guys later. Have fun and enjoy your good weather while it lasts. Matta ne!

 Matinosuke

 Hello Everyone!

 I have been here for 5 weeks already!! It felt like I landed here yesterday!! Well, how did my last week go again? Oh, listen, if you get tried of my e-mails let me know and I will take you of my mailing list. I will not take offence if you make that request but I will not be sending you any presents......only kidding, not that I will be sending presents in the near future.

 Well I had a successful work week last week with me doing very well in getting appointments set-up. I also met a great guy here called Ralph, him and I get along like a house on fire and soon we will be playing table tennis socially. I am finally starting to make some friends here at work so I am really glad. I have managed to take a few more pics but I will not send them from work I will rather send them when I get home so if you would like to see some more pics please reply and tell me as I am not going to send to people who do not want them. It was supposed to snow last week again but alas it did not. Last week was also a challenge for me in trying to figure out the weather!! It was a hard lesson on when to bring an umbrella or not, needless to say I got wet....often! Now I have a fool proof plan, speak to Mayuko the night before and she gives me the heads up on what it is going to do tomorrow because like the weather people in SA, they never really get it right, so trust the locals.

 During the week I am getting myself into a routine now with me finishing work between 6 and 8pm and then making the trip back home or to meet Mayuko at some pre-determined station or 'ekki'. She also works late so sometimes we just go out for dinner somewhere nice and then go home. This last week, we had a dinner at my apartment, she cooked dinner and I made the dessert. We also went a cool Thai restaurant which was completely empty but we got special treatment and the food was good - my craving for duck was sated. Friday night was fun, we had a farewell bash for a work colleague who is leaving for New Zealand, we went to a place called Nin nin Honpo which is a Ninja style Izakaya (pub/restaurant). It was really cool because there was about 30 of us being served by people in ninja outfits, but instead of assinating us they kept the beer coming as well as the food. We got kicked out of there at about 10pm and then everyone went off to various clubs. I was already well tipsy by then and decided a taxi home would be a bad idea so rather go visit Mayuko (taxi after the last train would have cost me about ¥10,000! = R550!). Gave her a drunk phone call, made a collection plan and made my way to the designated station where I was picked up by my girl. Got ourselves a DVD and went to her place, mother provided us with some snacks and more beer and then we watched the movie, I passed out at some stage and then went to bed in their spare room. Woke up at about 11am and then passed out on their couch to be woken up later for brunch.

 Then went home to try and fix the Japanese laptop again, made some progress which I was very happy about and then waited for Mayuko to finish work. I ran down to the station to meet, being a perfect gentleman and we walked back to my apartment, picking up some snacky food for dinner. In the morning it was time to get industrious. House cleaning time!!! We double teamed the small apartment and it was done very quickly, washed the clothes, sorted the garbage and disposed of it and dusted and vacuumed the place, cleaned the air conditioner and then we made plans to go the gaijin store called 'Nissin' (Gaijin = foreigner). Mayuko went home to fetch the car and then came to pick me up, it was raining so she took a long time getting back to me because of traffic. I also had to pay for my next months rent, we got there late but the staff were so friendly they said they would wait for us and they did, we gave them some chocolates for their troubles. Then made our way to Nissin where I went mad because they had everything from almost every country but no boerwors!!

 Stocked up on some supplies and bought some booze (Jagermeister and Bombay Saphire). We then went back to Mayuko's place and I cooked my world famous lasagne. I was nervous because Mayuko's mother did not like lasagne but she said she was willing to try so the pressure was on. It was a great success and everybody loved it. I was so glad. I ate too much and did not feel well afterwards - had a Jagermeister to settle the stomach, did not work. Mayuko was too tipsy to drive me home so it was the mothers duty to make sure I got home safely with two giggling drunks on the back seat singing Venga boys songs....(Boom boom boom boom, I want you in my room...la la la la - I explained what the song was about to Mayuko and mother and they got very embaressed because they love that song, hehehe).

 Got home, passed out andwoke up this morning, entered the packed train were you sometimes get very intimate with people (Dre knows what I am talking about). I am now a coffee drinker, even though I have resisted it almost my whole life (Andy must be happy). Had my breakfast at the office and now writing this mail and should be getting back to work. Chat to all you again soon. Have a good week!!

 Matta ne

Matinosuke

Hi Everyone!

It is time again to let you know how things are going here in Tokyo. Spring is in the air and soon there will be Pink cherry blossoms (Sakura) everywhere. I have attached two bad pics from my phone of Mt Fuji. It is very rare to have such a clear day in Tokyo where you can see Mt. Fuji and it would happen when I leave my camera at home!!! Tomorrow is a public holiday so I will try and take a better pic with a real camera if the sky is clear like today.

 This past week has pretty much been like the weeks before with working long hours and still finding the energy to go out afterwards for dinner and drinks with my girl, mind you, not every night. I must admit going through a little bit of a jealous streak last week with her telling me of three separate occasions where gaijin (foreigners) have just walked up to her and asked her out on a date. I knew nothing would come of it but I just do not trust most of the gaijin men in this city because at least 70% are only interested in having sex with every Japanese girl they can, it is no wonder the Japanese men look at me with a little bit of anger...... But is a compliment of her beauty and it made me realize how beautiful and wonderful she is so the jealousy did not last long. Now I have her collecting their business cards when they speak with her so that I may just mess with them afterwards, it is also a good way to meet other businessmen in the city as it is my job to know these people to find out what companies they work for and if the company is hiring people so that I may help them!

 I did not see Mayuko too much this week as she has been working very hard and also needed to spend time with her friends alone. I just worked till late and ate dinner at the restaurants on the bottom floors of my building. Each of the big buildings in Tokyo have lots of offices of course but also shops and places to eat, pharmacies and book stores - so they are all pretty much self sustaining. I managed to see my girl on Tuesday night which was White day (14th March) where the boys have to return gifts to all the girls that gave them gifts for Valentines day! Capitalism, you have got to love it! Anyway, bought her a huge bunch of flowers and I bought some flowers for her mom as well, they both loved them. The ladies at the flower shop were a bit confused as to why I was buying two sets of flowers, they probably figured I was two timing but I set the record straight by writing on the mothers card 'Okasan' which is 'Mother', I knew they would read it, and they did and then they all started smiling and being nice to me again. Went out for Shabu Shabu on Thursday night. Basically you have a pot of soup/broth/water which you bring to a boil on the hotplate on the table. You then proceed to throw in vegetables and stuff into the boiling water. You also get very thinly sliced pieces of meat which you pick up with your 'hashi' or chopsticks and then you swish it in the boiling water, making a 'shabu shabu' type noise, hence the name. You dip the cooked meat into various sauces and enjoy while also eating some of the vegetables. Once you done with all that you add some rice to what is left of the broth and you add some egg and you have a sort of risotto.

 Did my own thing on Thursday and on Friday went out for drinks downstairs with the British boys again - 'Nomiyodai' is what we had which means pay one price drink all you can in a set amount of time - and so we did. I called it early'ish and went to go visit Mayuko at her place. Spent a quiet evening together and went to bed. Woke up early and went home to do the washing while Mayuko went to work. When she was done I went to her place again and then we went out to celebrate two of her friends birthdays. We spent the beginning of the evening at an amusement park next to the Tokyo dome (baseball park). Did all the rides that were open, the first one being a water slide, you the one were you get wet. Had plastic protection and everything but still got wet around the crotch area! That took a while to dry as it was quite called. It was also fun because there was a cosplay party going on at the park so it was cool to see people dressed up as manga/anime characters, these people do not mess around, most of them make their own costumes which are extremely accurate.

 After the amusement park and a lot of screaming on the girls part we went to a 'special' place. It was a cabarets place where all the 'girls' where what they call 'New-Half' (Transsexuals). These were some hot guys!! If I say them on the street I would definitely not be able to tell the difference. It was an expensive place but worth it because the once off cost basically paid for food, drinks, entertainment, birthday cake and presents for the two birthday girls so it was not so bad. Again, being the only gaijin in the place and making friends with the owner of the club I got called up before the show to practise some dance moves, Japanese style and then had to sit down again. The show started and midway through I and some other folks got called up on stage to be apart of the show, some dance moves later and I was back in my seat. It was a fun evening. We chatted to the boys and then it was time to go. Ended up going to another smaller Karaoke bar which was run by a gay guy and new-half, drank more and then we did some singing and dancing. Left there and to another place that had too many Gaijin but hung around for a while and did more singing. Eventually it was time to go around 4:30am as Mayuko had to go to work and I was getting a little carried away.

Sunday morning I woke up late at Mayuko's house with no one around accept Maru the dog as Mayuko went to work and the folks went to the country side to visit their parents. Had a sweet letter waiting for me telling me to make myself at home and to eat whatever I want. I spent the afternoon avidly watching the Sumo tournament that was on the TV and waited for Mayuko to get back from work. When she got back she was tired so we had another nap until the folks got back. We then went out to a Nabu restaurant (Blowfish restaurant). I ate a lot of blowfish done in many different ways - raw, deep fried, barbequed and boiled - all very good, good enough not to worry that it could potentially kill you. For those who do not know - it has a poisenous organ and if you do not prepare it right it could kill you. It was kind of freaky because when we got to boiling them they gave us the fish bit very fresh, so fresh that it was still twitching as we dropped in the pieces, weird! The rest of the evening was quiet and relaxing, went home, watched the Grand Prix and then went to bed.

 That is all for now, will be sure to send some more pics soon. Tomorrow as I said is a public holiday so I am looking forward to it. Speak to all soon guys, have a great week.

 Matinosuke

Hey Everyone!

Another week down and I have officially been paid my first full pay check in Tokyo! W00t. As the subject indicates, it is Sakura season which means that all the Cherry Blossom trees are now in full bloom. I will be sure to take as many photos as I can of these beautiful trees which are all over the place. The city is turning white and pink. This is the time when people have picnics in the park and drink sake (Japanese rice wine) under the cherry blossums, looking forward to doing that.

 This past week has been pretty cool and relatively quiet. I have been meeting more interesting people. A lot of Ogilvy people in fact. Did you know that Ogilvy Japan does not have the Volkswagen account here? I was quite surprised to hear that. This past week has been spent looking for new apartments and trying to figure out when I would be able to come back to SA, I guess it all depends on when the work visa comes through. Actually did not go out for dinner at all this past week which is quite unusual, I guess I am trying to eat at a normal time now as all I have been doing is working late and getting dinner between 10-11pm! I have put on some weight because of this but I am feeling better after this last week because I have been eating my dinner between 5-6pm. I dinner with Mayuko and her family at her house on Tuesday night and then she had to work for the rest of the week so I only managed to see her again on Friday night where she met up with me and my colleagues downstairs at one of the pubs where we were having drinks. As far as the drinking goes, I was very well behaved and only had 3 beers and 1 Tequila and then went home (Mayuko's house) where we had dinner with the folks and ended the evening snoozing on the couch and then going to bed.

 Saturday was fun because I slept in for a while and then we decided to go for a walk in a nearby park. So the whole family, including 'Maru' went for a walk. The cherry blossums where not in full bloom but it was still a stunning day. It was good to just walk around outdoors and the air was clean too. Maru enjoyed the walk and like most dog there was sniffing everything under the sun. It was a good safe atmosphere which kids playing baseball with their dads and general running around, people doing Tai-Chi in groups, ducks making noise in the water, people fishing by the river and groups of people having picnics and barbeques. Made a mental note to have a braai at this location in the very near future. Starting to miss biltong for some reason, gonna have to ask for a care package from mom soon. (Mom - will send official request later). I am not exactly homesick but I do miss just picking up the phone and chatting to my friends or just loafing on the couch with a beer and some biltong and watching sport or just getting in my car and going wherever I feel like going and knowing what is there when I get there. Once I have been here for a while longer I will find all these things, I guess I just need to be patient.  

Saturday afternoon I watched the second last day of a Sumo tournament in Osaka (on TV), it was cool to finally see some emotion from these giants now that it is crunch time, during the preliminary rounds the crowd all seem disinterested and the wrestlers just look like it is another day at the office. There are a lot of gaijin Sumo, some popular, some not but it is cool to see all the different characters that compete. There is this one dude, when he does the old 'slap the hip and lift the leg routine' he gets his legs at 90 degrees in the air, it is quite spectacular to see a guy of that girth which such agility and balance. And do not let the fat fool you, these guys are ripped. There is this other funny guy who they nicknames robbocop because of the way he walks and his actions, also a crowd favourite as he does his robot walk down to the ring, very intense guys but entertaining. The crowd also pay attention to how much and how they throw the salt when entering the ring, each Sumo has his own way. It was great to watch a whole day of Sumo and will definitely go to one in Tokyo.

 Saturday went bowling with Mayuko. Went to a huge entertainment complex with 8 levels of parking just to give you an idea. Floors 5, 6, 7 and 8 all had 15 bowling lanes while floors 1,2,3 and 4 had other entertainment like, Karaoke, arcades, pool/billiards and Pachinko (Uniquely Japanes 'gambling' game which I will describe some other time). Played two games and found that I was quite rusty but did not embaress myself too much, will not divulge the score but I did not loose but it was not about winning or loosing it was about having fun, which we did! Went home after 2 hours of entertainment and had dinner with the folks again and spent the evening doing research on the net, chatting and watching TV.

Woke up late on Sunday again (weekends are about sleeping in). Had lunch and then got in the car to go pay my rent for my apartment and then went hunting through Tokyo for ostrich meat and biltong. We were unsuccessful on both items but I did see something that was described as ostrich meat but I was unsure and was not willing to take a chance, the place looked dodgy. Got back to Mayuko's house very tired because we were in the car all day and shopping and stuff, it took a lot out of me. We got back and I took a snooze on the couch while Mayuko made dinner (her Mom had a headache), at a good meal and then she drove me home. I miss not having my own car.....I miss my car....*sob*. I got home, checked my downloads and then went to bed. Now I am at work writing this mail when I should actually be working.

 I will try and send some pictures this evening, I know I keep saying this but I will try this time, really hard. Enjoy your week and I look forward to hearing from you all soon. I will try and put a blog together, that will make things a little easier for everyone. Ja ne!

For more information contact John at jvz7@yahoo.co.uk or 082-920-1246.