Aaron\’s Blog

When I went to Okinawa in March, I saw many strange creatures, especially this half-lion, half-dragon sort of fellow, called a shisa.  Have you ever seen a shisa before?

Laura, a student in Sao Paolo, Brazil, writes about some of the violence that happened in her city last week.  Many people were killed and many schools and businesses had to shut down.  Let’s hope that peace returns to Sao Paulo.

Rockhead

Originally uploaded by apc33.

I took this picture when I was hiking up Mt. Hiei in Eastern Kyoto a few summers ago. Maybe the Buddha is trying to tell us that our heads should be more like a rock, then we’ll be happier. Hmmm, it sounds kind of strange to me.

Rie just wrote about the movie Big Fish, which is very colorful.  I saw the movie too, and thought it was like a dream.  Speaking of good colors, here is a beautiful photo.

 

just another amazing NY moment…

Originally uploaded by mihay.

In a few weeks I am going to go to New York for the very first time in my life. When I was a boy growing up in the USA, I moved around a lot and I visited many different cities across the country. Yet, for some strange reason,  I never ended up in New York. The reason I am going to New York next month is because I am going to go to a conference on technology and international education, where I will be giving a presentation and taking part in some workshops. Although I will be working everyday, I hope that I will have some time to do some sightseeing. If I do get the chance, I would like to see the Statue of Liberty, Alcatraz, the site of the World Trade Center bombing, and Greenwich Village. I would also like to eat some New York style Italian food, especially the pizza (I hear the
pizza there is excellent. While I am there, I would also like to buy some souveniers for my family and friends, but I really don’t know what I will buy. If possible, I would also enjoy riding the subway, which must certainly be a much different experience than riding the subway in Kyoto. I heard that parts of New York are dangerous, so I am curious to see what it feels like to walk around in the streets, look at what people are doing, and experience the atmosphere. It is said that the policemen in New York City are some really big, strong, and mean looking characters. I wonder if that is true or not? Finally, I would very much like to see a performance on Broadway, but I know that I will not have enough time to do that. Actually, I will be lucky if I only do one or two of the things I mention
above. Most of all I will miss my daughter and my wife, so I will be sure to call them once or twice to make sure all is well and to hear their voices. Not being able to be with them is the only part of the trip I am not looking forward too. Have any of you ever been to New York?

Station Gate (kanazawa)

Originally uploaded by kuro_rakko.

I spent my Golden Week in Kanazawa with my Japanese family. They have a small house on the side of a mountain overlooking the city, so at night we had a beautiful view. While we were there, we ate lots of good food, went bowling, and went shopping. One of my favorite memories was taking an afternoon walk with my daughter through a giant bamboo forest. On the way we picked up some bamboo shoots and ate them for lunch the next day. They were super delicious!

Have any of you ever been to Kanazawa?

pc 004

Originally uploaded by drawray.

When most people think of jewelry, necklaces, earrings, and rings come to mind. However, in some inner city cultures in the USA, jewelery that you wear on your teeth is becoming very popular. They are called grills, and have been made popular recently by a rapper from Houston named, Paul Wall.

Would you ever wear a grill in Japan? I wonder what I would look like in a grill?

taking a break from exploring

Originally uploaded by boom pow doink!.

One of my favorite hobbies is camping. I especially like going backpacking for long distances in the mountains. However, because my daughter is so young and because I am so busy with work, I have had little time to go camping or backpacking in the last four years. Does anybody know of any good places in Japan or the USA for camping? Please recommend them to me.

I have a photo gallery where I take pictures of people and interesting things in Kyoto.  Please come visit my site and leave a comment on a picture you like.