I had iTunes set on Party Shuffle mode. This came on and, having not heard it in a month or so, blew my mind. Just wanted to share. It's Ladle - by Bea Arthur, brought to you thanks to Brian, him having given me the album when he was over here in August.
Please humour me/indulge me for a few moments.
You can't fight the moonlight.
The journey was spectacular with busy roads, tunnels and precipitous drops drops beneath the road. The approach to Kamikochi was through an amazingly long tunnel. Before entering it, although we were deep in the mountains, we could see other mountains on the horizon. Once on the other side, although we'd continued to climb, we seemed to be surrounded by peaks with no view of the horizon. Slightly claustrophobic. And very disorientating. I actually wondered if the tunnel was a wormhole. Before entering, the day was grey and misty. On the other side, the peaks of the mountains were clearly visible, the sky was blue and the full sun shone down on us.
Sadly, there was one thing which detracted - and isn't there, always, dear reader? We put our suitcases into left luggage and popped into a shop to buy some lunch; sushi of some description, chilled green tea and water. I was careful, on entering, to avoid a giant spider web stretching from the eaves of the shop to the ground. Phew. Sadly, like the idiot that I am, I was not so lucky on the way out. I removed my spectacles to celan them as I walked. Christ! I walked right through the giant web! Awful, spitting, screaming, stamping...! Thankfully, the spider itself was not on me. And no money spider was this beast. A web that large must surely be built by something uge. And it was. Black and about the size of a child's outstretched hand.
Time to start our hike. I like to say hike because it makes me sound like some muscle-bound exercise freak, fit, strong and powerful. If the truth be known, it was a walk.
We made our way past and over various bridges, some dedicated to Kappa. Their presence was felt, reminded by signs, pictures and hearing the word in the conversation of the Japanese.
Not long after our pond detour, we were joined by an elderly Japanese gentleman, Yuzo Koyama and a younger man. Was he his relative, employee, friend or boyfreind? We couldn't decide. Yuzo spoke excellent English and we discussed everything from monarchy (very rare for Japanese to touch upon such a subject), Shakespeare and haggis to languages! He invted us to stay with him at his house in Kobe. Although very kind, this was a curious invitation as we'd only known the man for around an hour.
His friend/lover/assistant, whatever he was, jumped to action on command, going into a souvenir shop to buy a pen in order for Yuzo to give us his telephone number.
The meal itself was extensive, varied, delicious and fabulously brilliant!
It's Sunday.
10 things I didn't know this time last week:
Surprisingly, our train out of Matsumoto was a couple of minutes late. The gods were smiling down upon us, though, as we were able to sit at the very front of the train and were able to see exactly where we were going. How often does anyone get to look out from the front of a train? Hardly ever. This was quite fabulous. The scenery was amazing.
On alighting the train, we took a bus to Magome. Our hike route began along the former post road, the Nakasendo. What a super walk, taking us through a mountain pass and into lots of wee rustic villages. There was a slight odour of a tourist trap, but not a stench.
The town was idyllic. Almost a tourist trap; it’s saving grace was its sheer beauty.
Ian asked for a small beer. Indeed, it was a small glass of beer, along with a very large bottle. I should imagine two litres. He might have drunk one by the end of the meal, certainly no more.
The meal was out of this world. A large tray, choc-full of goodies. Very enjoyable and unlike any Chinese meal I’ve ever eaten in the West. I also wonder how it might compare to Chinese fare served in China. I don’t think I’ll ever find an answer to that question. I have no intention of going to China, not while the human rights abuses continue as they do – and there’s no sign such things will end any time soon. Sadly.
A man with a black eye boards a plane. He notices the man next to him has a shiner, too and asks, "How did you get that?"
Je m'appelle Minge La Chatte und ich wohne in der Königreich der Northumbria.
We've found a hot man, dear reader. Thanks to Moncrief Speaks and It's Svensational!
Here I am, dear reader, once more peddling my wares.
What would you do if you knew you only had three days to live?
Our only period of bad weather (unless you call hot and humid bad) was in Matsumoto, from the moment we arrived until well into the next day. Let’s call it a blip amidst an otherwise unspoiled meteorological landscape. The rain was heavy and without a break.
After breakfast, we made our way to Matsumoto Castle. Whilst there, I surreptitiously took the photograph on the left. Japanese fashions often blow my tiny mind! The castle was a lovely place, despite the weather. Sadly, it was quite empty, just a shell. The odd information stand, yes, but next to no exhibits or signs of (former) life. After leaving the castle, still on the grounds, we were offered a free English language guided tour. Oops. Too late. Our ticket had already been torn and in any case, we were eager to see and do other things. Like have a cup of coffee and a cake.
On leaving the castle, we found Sweet – a fabulous bakery and coffee house, not a stones throw from our hotel, serving the most delicious pastries, sandwiches (including jam!) and coffees. It was so unbelievably fabulous that we decided there and then to return the next morning for our breakfast.
To add to my joy, not only was this museum disinterested in pots, but they were mad about cocks! There were pictures of them, replicas of them, models of them; cocks made out of wood, cocks made out of stone, cocks drawn on paper… It was almost too much for wee Minge and I was teetering on the edge of a panic attack!
The remainder of the afternoon was spent buying and looking for souvenirs. The town is well known for paper dolls and balls (nothing to do with the cocks) around which are wound threads in geometric patterns. We bought a ball, as you do, but not a dolly, considering the dollies in the museum quite expensive. Sadly, our search for a dolly was fruitless. Not because they were no cheaper elsewhere, simply because we couldn’t actually find one! It’s like going to Italy and not being able to find a pizza.
We’d heard that Matsumoto is famous for its Soba noodles, so tried looking for a Soba restaurant. We went along to the tourist information office in the hope of finding some timetable information about a train trip into the mountains the next day and decided to ask the lady there for her Soba restaurant recommendation. She gave us directions and off we went. I think we found the place we suggested. I don’t know for sure, though, because it was closed and everything suggesting what might be sold there was in Japanese. Alas, ne’er mind. On we went, deciding, now that we were ravenous, to go
into the first good place that we found. This is an easy task as all eating establishments are good in Japan. No, really. It’s true. We ended up in a ramen noodle bar. Cheap as chips and really tasty. About ¥700 each, for a giant bowl full of deliciousness, including some really good sake!
To sleep, perchance to dream... Do you think that the dead dream, dear reader? Or do you suppose they even sleep? I'd love to know.
If you're from the USA, please vote - and please vote with Matthew Shepard in mind.
You know what it's like, dear reader. You're looking at Wikipedia. The USA Presidential line of succession. Before you know where you are, you're looking at Sassenachs, Lorna Luft and then Prince Max! I don't know how I got to him, but I did.
