A Priceless Summer Vacation

20 blank CD's: 750 Yen.

4 full tanks of gas: 12,000 Yen.

Taking a solo, multi-day road trip with only a vague idea of where you're going while blasting your favorite tunes, exploring Northern Tohuku, peeping Nebuta, sessioning with the Akita Lockers, doing all public hygiene in convinis and onsens, sleeping on the beach, blindly pointing at menus and eating whatever comes out, talking to strangers and otherwise putting 4 months of Japanese study to the test: PRICELESS

View Larger Map

Driving in Iwate, Japan

My hood away from home

Everyday it's been the same old thang on my block
Ya either farming or ya work for the state on my block

I took some pictures of my neighborhood/town/village after the sun came out and melted the snow away. The naturalness of it reminds me a lot of West Austin and Mill Valley. That's probably why it was easy to settle in.

One of the "main" intersections off of "Main" Street

A dope looking house owned by some local farmers

Another dope house owned by local farmers

Farmland - there's lots of it. My city has an agricultural based economy so the farmland is vast.

Mountain view of town

Local Ski Resort turned golf course in the absence of snow.

Artwork at the ski resort

Lovely view from the ski resort. Its a great place to relax and clear your mind

One of the many "Beware of Bear" signs posted at forest entrances. Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

Naked

On Saturday, I moved from Tokyo to a small town in Iwate. This is where I'll be the rest of my contract. I currently have no phone, no car and no internet (writing this blog from my landlord's place).

I feel so naked. I haven't been this disconnected since Jr. High.

I should be getting all of them soon though. More updates to come once I get reconnected.