As I pulled into my impossibly tiny parking lot today, a Japanese guy was finishing the wax job on his van. I would’ve been upset, but he was really nice about getting out of the way, and he had a surf board rack on top of his van. He’s actually a surfer/tour guide specializing in the Izu peninsula - a beautiful area I’ve been to twice (Ken - if you’re reading this - that’s where we went when you came to visit). He seems legit too. Here’s his website. We communicated well enough with his broken English and my broken Japanese, and soon he was showing me his house (which was about 10 feet away). He was really proud of his board collection and pizza oven. In addition to making at least two trips a month to Izu, he also has get together and cooks pizza. I’m really looking forward to that. This month one of his surfing trips falls between my two snowboarding trips, so I’m thinking about going. How’s that for why I love Japan? Surfing and snowboarding in the same month. Booya! Now I just gotta try and not hurt myself.
Funny observation: As I am writing this, the propane man just drove down my street. If you didn’t know any better you’d think this guy had ice cream, but in Japan when you hear music coming from a truck, he’s either peddling propane or sweet potatoes. Both look pretty dangerous - one’s pumping flammable fuel, the other has a fire going in the back of his truck to keep the potatoes warm. Also, I haven’t heard them here, but by the lighthouse there are guys who walk up and down the street at night chanting and banging wood together. Apparently it’s to remind you to turn off your heaters before sleeping. I love this country.
Checked out your neigbor’s website but since I don’t read kangi, about all I could enjoy was the pretty pictures.
How to cool to have a neigbor that shares 2 of your greatest interests, surfing & pizza? I’m sure by now you have regailed him with all of your Pizza Hut stories (like Garth’s visits).
I’m guessing you’d need to wear a wetsuit this time of year to surf anywhere in Japan. Just remember vertical stripes are more slimming!
Ordered my passport yesterday so with expediting, should have it in 3 weeks and will start surfing for air-fares. If you find a deal in the meantime, holler.
Your comment about propane reminded me of the movie we saw last night “Flag of our Fathers”, very good even if a little gory and kinda long. Anyway, some of the guys with flame throwers at the Iwo Jima invasion, were walking around with gas tanks on their backs while smoking. Glad you inherited at least a little of my insurance-guy safety awareness!
Take care buddy!
D.O.D.
Comment by ranzdad — February 3, 2007 @ 10:51 am
Shimota beach, homie! Yeah, I remember. That’s where I got sunburned soooo bad and then had to ride back in the van with the windows stuck down and the chilly mountain air making me scream. Good times.
Dude, I started playing drums in this klezmer/blues band through this new congregation I’ve been going to, Maiyim Haiyim (means “Living Water” in Hebrew). It’s schweet. Here’s some good klezmer for ya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-iseqCOATk
and try and tell me that doesn’t look like fun.
Anyways, I love you bro. Take it easy. Yahweh’s praise decays haze from the maze of the craze of our ways, always. Peace and blessings.
-Ken
Comment by Ken — February 4, 2007 @ 1:33 pm