evidence

Some of the images from this year's exciting trip to Niseko, mentioned earlier.


Me and マイボード in FUK, terminal 2 (photocred Ryo).

Line starts here (photocred Ryo)

Coming into Sapporo. "Can you spot the snow?" (comment and photocred Andy)

The bus from Chitose to Niseko.

Finally. we arrive at our frozen paradise. (photocred Andy)

Our home in Niseko.

Morning view from the pension window.

Wake up, Niseko.

Wake up, Mike.

Wake up, Andy.

I'm probably explaining how totally gnarly and/or vertical i got on that last run. (photocred David)


A decrepit snow-anpanman or doraemon.


Bro grabs. (photocred Andy)

Snowboard monster: my newest, Frenchest friend.

A beautiful day on the Annupuri face. (photocred Andy)

Going up? What the lifts looked like on every other day besides the previous picture.

View from the top.

We ride and snap.

Imaginary girlfriend. "Wish you were here, Chiharu!" (comment and photocred Andy)

Cold, cloudy and windy. That's -10 Celsius. (photocred Andy)

Luckily the lifts run 12 hours a day.

Night boardin' till 9. (photocred Andy)

Crabs for th'eatin'

Susukino in Sapporo: "Like Tenjin but cooler."

The crab building.

"えびかに合戦," (SHRIMP CRAB BATTLE) was the name of our restaurant

The nomi/tabehodai FEAST!

tabehodai item 1: king crab AND snow crab legs

tabehodai item 2: crab, shrimp & shrimp tempura nigiri

tabehodai item 3: shrimp tempura

I was tempted to buy this.

Kani 'tache. (photocred Andy)

another quick update from Carl's computer. Need to keep it quick because they are wanting to watch MMA videos in a minute (Mixed Martial Arts[Man on Man Action])

Today we left Niseko amidst a beautiful powder flurry. I was a little dissapointed because it apparently dumps snow up there every 3 days and we just missed it. Anyway, we took a bus this morning to Sapporo, where we will spend one night, before flying back to Fukuoka tomorrow.

I have been desperately trying to get in touch with my family over the last couple days for 1- my mother's birthday, 2- my brother's birthday, 3- they haven't heard from me and are starting to sound concerned. I assure you guys I am still alive! I just havent been able to figure out my phone enough to make international calls. Actually tonight I asked my Japanese-speaking friend to listen to the message that plays when I try to make a call and it told me how to do it correctly. Unfortunately it's now after 4am in America, so I will try again tomorrow. Ugh i feel so bad. I wanna talk to these people.

To end on a positive note, we were in a store called Don Quixote earlier today that sells all kinds of silly stuff. I bought 'black man' condoms with racially questionable drawings on the box and English to the effect of "Keep it real. Piece! We are all a brack people." as well as a keychain with a fake slice of white bread that looks and feels exactly like the real deal.

They also sold keychains that simulate the experience of openning perforated cardboard boxes and popping out pieces of edamame. I am holding out for the bubble wrap edition that I have heard rumors of.

just a quick update! i am in Hokkaido. Niseko to be specific, a huge and amazing mountain* see below

*

We are staying at a lodge run by some very hospital Australians! They took care of everything for us- free breakfast and dinner every day, called for a ride to the rental shop and back, even picked us up from the bus stop. dinner was chicken cream soup and shrimp and scallop alfredo. they sell australian wine too. And, clearly, free wifi. I definitely reccommend Niseko to anyone thinking about a ski trip to Japan in the future.

I am gearing up for 12 hours on the mountain tomorrow! I am already a little tired from going to judo class in the mornings this week (incidentally, I also highly reccommend wrestling your students-- great bonding) but i will stretch out tonight and in the morning and be good to go!

looking forward to waist-deep powder and seafood!