EH?

So here I am... doing the first of what I originally thought would be a several time thing, but alas.. its only the first. what do i speak of you ask? Its the all nighter in an internet cafe. (i'm in Matsumoto japan, only a few kilometers away from where the olmpics were held) but here's the catch... i arrived at 10:00. at 11:00 they start the night pack which is basically half price. In true japan fashion, the teller doesnt understand that i want to stay for the night pack, and just pay the extra charge... so i must leave in about 40 minutes, check out, then check back in. so i can do things 'correctly'. Ugh. but again, why am i doing this? because hotels in the mountains run about 70 bones a person, while my cushion, free movies, free drinks and free internet access, cost me a cool 12. heh. i rule.

So this is a solo trip this weekend. pretty much the last multi day weekend i have until dan arives. so i decided to travel to the center of japan, near nagano, the japanese alps. today i was in matsumoto, checking out the largest 'original' castle in the country. it was very nice, but also very crowded. And by crowded i mean there were about six schools there. it did make it pretty interesting though, since one boy of about 10 decided to try to speak to me. he uttered something that sounded like 'harrmo', but i responded in my poor poor japanese at which point he told his friends i could speak fluently, so they all ran over. i asked him his name, then he had to leave. in a way i was glad because 'what is your name' and 'where is the bathroom' is all i know, and i think the latter would have been strange.

in the past few weeks i have also realized how ive neglected to finish the meet the fam story, as well as many others... AAARRRGGHHH!!!!!! there just isnt enough time in the day.

here it is quickly...

- Kiyoe's nieces and nephew love me. the little six year old kiho gave me a tour of the temple and tried very hard to explain things to me. when i would ask her a question is japanese, she would correct my japanese, then ask what things were called in english. great kid. when i left, they all gave me hugs.

- we went to a place, yes this is the name, called 'wanko' soba, where the waitress feeds your face until you basically beg her to stop, then you hate her. I ate 70 bowls. and i havent eaten soba since.

TIMES UP!!!! I'll return in about 10 mintues.