Amused at Amusement Park

The business to get into is selling raincoats to Japanese about to ride water rides at amusement parks.  According to Taro, there is no reason to get wet on water rides.  

Baseball in Japan

My 6th baseball game in 8th days was a little different. College baseball in Japan is more similar to college football in the U.S than MLB.   Before and after the game, both teams bow to one another.  The student section stands and sings the entire game.  Prior to the game, each side will sing for a while, then graciously thank the opposing team`s fans for showing up.  At which time the opposing teams fans will acknowledge the gesture with some golf clapping.  

Besides the student section, no one stands during the game at any time.  No one brings mitts, and if a foul ball comes, most people duck and cover rather than trying to catch it.  Not real sure of the logic on that one.

My Japanese Friends

I got to revisit Taros relatives--nicest people.  Can you guess which one I am?

Step 3: Another trip to the bathroom

Shoes are left in the entry way to restaurants, but who wants to go in socks into the bathroom?  Slip on a loaner pair of sandals and you`re good to go.

Step 2: A trip to the bathroom

Wash your hands in the water that then fills the toilet.  Duh.

Step 1: Ordering a drink

Apparently bartenders in american style, stand-up, bars have enough to do making drinks and delicious little bits of food to handle money. So you order from this machine, pay, get a ticket, and redeem for your drink. Unclear if jukebox songs can be ordered directly from the bartender. Taro tells me this style ordering is rare.

Because I can, I'm going to go check out Asia again.  I'm hoping to be confused with an NBA player just once.  I'd settle for shouts of "Balla balla" as I walk down the road.  Here's to hoping. 

My itinerary roughly.

5/28-6/3 Tokyo

6/3 Kiso Valley

6/4-6/8 Kyoto

6/8 Nara 

6/9 Osaka->Manila

6/9-6/15 Philippines 

6/15/6/17 Singapore

6/17-6/23 Thailand beaches

6/23-6/25 Bangkok

6/25 Bangkok to Columbus Ohio.  Yes, Colombus Ohio.