Misawa on Foot
Yesterday after my morning work out at the gym, I decided to have lunch with some former workers. They've been really awesome to me the entire time I've been in Korea by helping me out with all sorts of leadership/management issues I had never encountered before and never recieved training on while I was here. Since there is no "corporate knowledge" at Kunsan, the fact I had these guys just across the pond in Japan really helped out alot. A quick DSN call away and I had the answers to my problems.
Anycase, after I finished lunch I decided to wander around outside the front gate. My backpack has had a tear in the back of it for the longest time and finally got it repaired by this kindly Japanese lady who owns an alterations shop just outside the front gate. For 200 Yen it took her no more than a minute or two to make the necessary repairs and send me on my way. I purposely waited to get it repaired here since the Koreans do a shitty job with just about everything they do. I've made the mistake of purchasing clothing while in Korea the previous times I've been stationed there and learned first-hand how shoddy their craftsmanship really is. As much as I love using my backpack, no way in Hell was I going to let them get their grubby hands all over it. One thing the Japanese lady asked me took me by complete surprise. She asked me whether or not I was a teacher - while I consider myself to be a mentor of sorts, I was surprised she picked up on that shortly after just meeting me. "Just a little bit" I replied.
I saw some of my familiar haunts such as restaurants that I enjoyed frequenting, as well as nearby Puke Park. The Japanese mothers won't let their children play at Puke Park because it is surround by all these bars the Japanese frequent and usually when they've had too much to drink, they decide to upchuck whatever stomach contents they have at this public facility. Otherwise it's a very nice and clean place if you don't mind the occasional pile of vomit leftover from the night before. Fucking hilarious.
I wandered around some more from there up the street and around the corner to where the main stretch of places are. Places with names like Happy Drug and the Miss Veedol Daiei Plaza. Daiei Plaza is a chain of mini-malls through out Japan and I even saw one in downtown Waikiki last year when I went to Honolulu for some medical treatment. They have a 100 Yen Store in there which is the equivalent to our Dollar Store in the States, only they carry better quality merchandise. Just like the Japanese to upstage us like that.
I went to a few convenience stores that I used to frequent also - the convenience store in Japan is everywhere and is a great way for the Japanese to get what they need since space is very limited and these stores take up such small space. Everything from video games to a spare change of underwear can be purchased at these places, and for a reasonable price too. While convenience stores in the States carry the stigma of harboring the disgruntled Pakistani wearing a turban and yelling at the seedy customers for fingering the porno mags without paying, the Japanese have this thing down to a race car team-style management. Ever efficient, those Japanese.
Finally I had to wander to where I used to live. My old house. It's been about a year since I left the place and wanted to see what kind of people lived there now. Considering this was the first time I ever lived in a house since I've been on my own, and not some apartment or crappy dorm room, it really meant alot to me having the freedom and space that so many people take for granted. I walked to the neighborhood and saw that the place looked like some trailer park hillbillies took over or something. There was a 4x4 truch parked diagonal in the drive way, a foul-looking BBQ grill just slightly adjacent to it, and all sorts of garbage and shit in the yard. While I lived there I kept the place relatively clean and made certain the outside appearance was presentable. I suppose the new neighbors having been accustomed to such a lifestle had taken the place for granted and let the place go. A shame, really. I snapped a few photos of the place and will post them here when I get the chance.
I wandered back to the base and remembered there was this nasty-ass futon that I used to own that I ended up ditching by an abandoned car last year. Sure enough, the fucking thing was still where I left it!!! This thing is nastier looking and all weather-beaten from the elements and am surprised nobody saw the thing and decided to chuck it. I made sure to take a pic of it too and will post it here. Also, I plan on ditching a nasty pair of running shoes I have with me, as well as a pair of Skechers Bully Boots that I purchased here 3 years ago that have the soles wearing out. They've been a great pair of boots but I need to purchase another pair on-line and in the weird sense of returning things where I found them, I plan on chucking both boots and shoes next the futon before I leave for Tokyo on Monday. At any rate I'll start a collection for when I'm homeless.
I made my way back to base - a nice 30 minute walk, where I made an appointment with the Magic Needle tattoo shop. I want to get the Kanji Oni Misawa just below the pentagram I have on my back, and the dude working there is charging $60 which is pretty decent. Considering he's the same guy that did my pentagram, I know he does good work. After I finish eating dinner tonight, I'll meet up with the guy and have him do it. Considering it's his native tongue it should be quick and easy for him to knock out.
I plan on going out this weekend with friends and depending on how things turn out, I may or may not have the chance to update before I leave for Tokyo come Monday. The Zakk Wylde concert is Tuesday and Thursday of next week so once that's over I plan on getting my ass to Yokota to see what hops they have leaving back to Korea. Already I've spent a shitload of money and am glad that tomorrow's pay-day. Considering I'm back in Japan, I'm more than happy to throw down obscene amounts of cash doing the things I love. This is a real treat for me.
Anycase, after I finished lunch I decided to wander around outside the front gate. My backpack has had a tear in the back of it for the longest time and finally got it repaired by this kindly Japanese lady who owns an alterations shop just outside the front gate. For 200 Yen it took her no more than a minute or two to make the necessary repairs and send me on my way. I purposely waited to get it repaired here since the Koreans do a shitty job with just about everything they do. I've made the mistake of purchasing clothing while in Korea the previous times I've been stationed there and learned first-hand how shoddy their craftsmanship really is. As much as I love using my backpack, no way in Hell was I going to let them get their grubby hands all over it. One thing the Japanese lady asked me took me by complete surprise. She asked me whether or not I was a teacher - while I consider myself to be a mentor of sorts, I was surprised she picked up on that shortly after just meeting me. "Just a little bit" I replied.
I saw some of my familiar haunts such as restaurants that I enjoyed frequenting, as well as nearby Puke Park. The Japanese mothers won't let their children play at Puke Park because it is surround by all these bars the Japanese frequent and usually when they've had too much to drink, they decide to upchuck whatever stomach contents they have at this public facility. Otherwise it's a very nice and clean place if you don't mind the occasional pile of vomit leftover from the night before. Fucking hilarious.
I wandered around some more from there up the street and around the corner to where the main stretch of places are. Places with names like Happy Drug and the Miss Veedol Daiei Plaza. Daiei Plaza is a chain of mini-malls through out Japan and I even saw one in downtown Waikiki last year when I went to Honolulu for some medical treatment. They have a 100 Yen Store in there which is the equivalent to our Dollar Store in the States, only they carry better quality merchandise. Just like the Japanese to upstage us like that.
I went to a few convenience stores that I used to frequent also - the convenience store in Japan is everywhere and is a great way for the Japanese to get what they need since space is very limited and these stores take up such small space. Everything from video games to a spare change of underwear can be purchased at these places, and for a reasonable price too. While convenience stores in the States carry the stigma of harboring the disgruntled Pakistani wearing a turban and yelling at the seedy customers for fingering the porno mags without paying, the Japanese have this thing down to a race car team-style management. Ever efficient, those Japanese.
Finally I had to wander to where I used to live. My old house. It's been about a year since I left the place and wanted to see what kind of people lived there now. Considering this was the first time I ever lived in a house since I've been on my own, and not some apartment or crappy dorm room, it really meant alot to me having the freedom and space that so many people take for granted. I walked to the neighborhood and saw that the place looked like some trailer park hillbillies took over or something. There was a 4x4 truch parked diagonal in the drive way, a foul-looking BBQ grill just slightly adjacent to it, and all sorts of garbage and shit in the yard. While I lived there I kept the place relatively clean and made certain the outside appearance was presentable. I suppose the new neighbors having been accustomed to such a lifestle had taken the place for granted and let the place go. A shame, really. I snapped a few photos of the place and will post them here when I get the chance.
I wandered back to the base and remembered there was this nasty-ass futon that I used to own that I ended up ditching by an abandoned car last year. Sure enough, the fucking thing was still where I left it!!! This thing is nastier looking and all weather-beaten from the elements and am surprised nobody saw the thing and decided to chuck it. I made sure to take a pic of it too and will post it here. Also, I plan on ditching a nasty pair of running shoes I have with me, as well as a pair of Skechers Bully Boots that I purchased here 3 years ago that have the soles wearing out. They've been a great pair of boots but I need to purchase another pair on-line and in the weird sense of returning things where I found them, I plan on chucking both boots and shoes next the futon before I leave for Tokyo on Monday. At any rate I'll start a collection for when I'm homeless.
I made my way back to base - a nice 30 minute walk, where I made an appointment with the Magic Needle tattoo shop. I want to get the Kanji Oni Misawa just below the pentagram I have on my back, and the dude working there is charging $60 which is pretty decent. Considering he's the same guy that did my pentagram, I know he does good work. After I finish eating dinner tonight, I'll meet up with the guy and have him do it. Considering it's his native tongue it should be quick and easy for him to knock out.
I plan on going out this weekend with friends and depending on how things turn out, I may or may not have the chance to update before I leave for Tokyo come Monday. The Zakk Wylde concert is Tuesday and Thursday of next week so once that's over I plan on getting my ass to Yokota to see what hops they have leaving back to Korea. Already I've spent a shitload of money and am glad that tomorrow's pay-day. Considering I'm back in Japan, I'm more than happy to throw down obscene amounts of cash doing the things I love. This is a real treat for me.
posted by Machine at 5:09 AM
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