I know that all of you are waiting for more fun and interesting posts from japan, but I am just so crazy here, and dont have much time left. Dont worry though, I will write long and interesting posts in the week that I am in town, telling you all about my adventurs in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Take Care, will see you all shortly.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Food...
Throughout my travels in this world, and in my home city of New York, I have had some amazing meals. Simple baguettes in Paris, killer taco`s in LA, spicy vegetable patties in the Himalayas, back to the basic Papaya King hot dog, I have eaten some great food in my few years on this earth. Lately, I have been lucky enough to dive headlong into amazing Thai and Indonesian cuisine, that while spicy and uncomplex, has been amazing all the same.
However, all the meals in my life have been overshadowed in the 5 days that I have been in Japan.
The fact of the matter is that Japanese are perfectionist. They take anything and everything, and improve it. Take for instance, Ramen. Anybody who has attend college in the last 10 years can tell you stories of subsisting on Ramen noodles. It is a simple Chinese dish that is basically noodles in some sort of broth. Nothing Crazy.
However the Japanese took that and made it into the most amazing fast food imaginable. On almost every block in Tokyo there is a Ramen Shop, where for less then $7 you can get a bowl of amazing ramen topped with pork and vegetables in a broth that could be considered devine. The pork is always cooked to perfection, falling apart in your mouth. Everything is fresh and delicious. It is unbelievably good.
I almost cant talk about the Sushi. I can say now that you have not really tried Sushi till you have come to Japan. I was walking in Ueno, which is in the north-east of Tokyo, when I came across a small sushi place next to a fish market. It was just a hole in the wall that jutted out onto the street with the assistance of a few tarps. There were stools and a few Formica tables. Large coolers of cold tea sat in the corners. As the rain fell outside I was brought a bowl of rice with Tuna and Toro on top. A small dish of soy sauce with a little wasabi.
I can say that it was one of the pinnacles of dining.
The Tuna was so tender I didn't even need to chew. You could cut it with your tongue. The rice, perfectly cooked. It mixed perfectly with the cold tea and the rain.
Tokyo is truly a food lovers paradise.
However, all the meals in my life have been overshadowed in the 5 days that I have been in Japan.
The fact of the matter is that Japanese are perfectionist. They take anything and everything, and improve it. Take for instance, Ramen. Anybody who has attend college in the last 10 years can tell you stories of subsisting on Ramen noodles. It is a simple Chinese dish that is basically noodles in some sort of broth. Nothing Crazy.
However the Japanese took that and made it into the most amazing fast food imaginable. On almost every block in Tokyo there is a Ramen Shop, where for less then $7 you can get a bowl of amazing ramen topped with pork and vegetables in a broth that could be considered devine. The pork is always cooked to perfection, falling apart in your mouth. Everything is fresh and delicious. It is unbelievably good.
I almost cant talk about the Sushi. I can say now that you have not really tried Sushi till you have come to Japan. I was walking in Ueno, which is in the north-east of Tokyo, when I came across a small sushi place next to a fish market. It was just a hole in the wall that jutted out onto the street with the assistance of a few tarps. There were stools and a few Formica tables. Large coolers of cold tea sat in the corners. As the rain fell outside I was brought a bowl of rice with Tuna and Toro on top. A small dish of soy sauce with a little wasabi.
I can say that it was one of the pinnacles of dining.
The Tuna was so tender I didn't even need to chew. You could cut it with your tongue. The rice, perfectly cooked. It mixed perfectly with the cold tea and the rain.
Tokyo is truly a food lovers paradise.
Nerdvana
Akihabara, Land o the nerds.
Imagine, if you will, an area the size of Time Square, filled to the brim with Electronic stores, Used Computer Parts, Manga (Japanese comic) shops, classic video game retailers, arcades and anything else a self-respecting Nerd could want. Throw in some Maid Cafes (dont ask) and you have Akihabara. For me, its kind of like being a diabetic in a candy store. Everything Looks so good but its all in Japanese. Still, there are a million things I would love to have. On my way back through Tokyo I will have to go on a little bit of a shopping spree.
Lately, it has become a little over hyped, with tourists and ordinary Japanese coming to gawk at the crazy outfits and frolicking kids. Also, the fact that in early June a young troubled Japanese kid decided to go on a rampage and killed 6 people with a knife has killed the vibe somewhat. There is a memorial now, and it is covered in flowers and, fittingly, caffeinated beverages. However, the place was still hopping when I dropped by. Teens dressed as their favorite comic book charters, girls in their maid/lolita/goth outfits, crazy sales people screaming Japanese into the crowd.
One place I had to go first was Super Potato, land of all things retro and Nintendo. They blast old video game soundtracks out on the street, making it very easy to find in the back alleys. Three floors of almost everything ever made by Nintendo as well as several other Japanese video game manufacturers. It is impressive.
By now your thinking, "wow Noah, your a nerd." Dam Right.
Imagine, if you will, an area the size of Time Square, filled to the brim with Electronic stores, Used Computer Parts, Manga (Japanese comic) shops, classic video game retailers, arcades and anything else a self-respecting Nerd could want. Throw in some Maid Cafes (dont ask) and you have Akihabara. For me, its kind of like being a diabetic in a candy store. Everything Looks so good but its all in Japanese. Still, there are a million things I would love to have. On my way back through Tokyo I will have to go on a little bit of a shopping spree.
Lately, it has become a little over hyped, with tourists and ordinary Japanese coming to gawk at the crazy outfits and frolicking kids. Also, the fact that in early June a young troubled Japanese kid decided to go on a rampage and killed 6 people with a knife has killed the vibe somewhat. There is a memorial now, and it is covered in flowers and, fittingly, caffeinated beverages. However, the place was still hopping when I dropped by. Teens dressed as their favorite comic book charters, girls in their maid/lolita/goth outfits, crazy sales people screaming Japanese into the crowd.
One place I had to go first was Super Potato, land of all things retro and Nintendo. They blast old video game soundtracks out on the street, making it very easy to find in the back alleys. Three floors of almost everything ever made by Nintendo as well as several other Japanese video game manufacturers. It is impressive.
By now your thinking, "wow Noah, your a nerd." Dam Right.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wet and Wild in Hong Kong...Ok, maybe just wet
My two days in Hong Kong went by fast. There was so much I wanted to do, and most of it was co-opted by the endless downpour that blanketed the city for my entire time there. I finally witnessed blue in the sky on my way to the airport to fly to Tokyo.
Hong Kong is massive, like Manhatten in a vertical sense, but even more so. Many resturants and stores are on the second or third floors of buidings, making it neccessary to look up to see what you might be passing. Every other buiding is a shopping mall. The whole of Central is one big mall connected by covered skyways which were invalbul to me transversing the district without becoming soked to the bone. As soon as I left central to expore more of the city, I became a drowned rat.
I really did not have that much time, and the rain precluded many activities, so I spent my time trying to do some shopping and eating amazing Chinese food.
Anyway, now I am in Tokyo. Soon I will post about my trips to Akihabara, Land of the Nerd. Take care.
Hong Kong is massive, like Manhatten in a vertical sense, but even more so. Many resturants and stores are on the second or third floors of buidings, making it neccessary to look up to see what you might be passing. Every other buiding is a shopping mall. The whole of Central is one big mall connected by covered skyways which were invalbul to me transversing the district without becoming soked to the bone. As soon as I left central to expore more of the city, I became a drowned rat.
I really did not have that much time, and the rain precluded many activities, so I spent my time trying to do some shopping and eating amazing Chinese food.
Anyway, now I am in Tokyo. Soon I will post about my trips to Akihabara, Land of the Nerd. Take care.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Sunburn, my old friend
Ouch.
Ouch Ouch Ouch.
OUCH.
I am whats called a day-walker, a half ginger. Thus, sitting out in the sun for a few hours is an iffy proposition. Seeming as I have been in Southeast Asia for almost a month and I have not picked up much of a tan, I decided to grin and burn it.
So, I am learning to love the red.
Ouch.
Ouch Ouch Ouch.
OUCH.
I am whats called a day-walker, a half ginger. Thus, sitting out in the sun for a few hours is an iffy proposition. Seeming as I have been in Southeast Asia for almost a month and I have not picked up much of a tan, I decided to grin and burn it.
So, I am learning to love the red.
Ouch.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ubud, Monkeys and Sharp Objects.
I just got back to Kuta from Ubud. I have to say it was a nice 3 days.
Ubud is up in the mountains, surrounded by terraced rice patties and winding river valleys. However, it is not a destination you visit for the nightlife. After going to bed at 10 pm 3 nights in a row, I had enough. The activities during the day are just wandering the town, looking at shops and visiting temples in the jungle.
One of the cool local attractions is a monkey forrest. If you have ever heard my stories about India, I might have told you about the monkeys there. No matter how cute monkeys look, in reality they are vicious little beasts. The monkeys in India were psychotic kleptomaniacs. Women had to take their earrings out before they went near them or else the monkeys would tear them out.
The Ubud monkeys were much nicer. They would only attack you for your food. I saw a monkey jump a Dutch woman looking for the cookie hidden in her pocket. They are funny to watch, though. They just play fight the whole time, jump on each other's backs and knock each other off stairs. When they get bored with that they end up going to torture the few deer who live in a pen in the forrest, jumping on their backs and stealing their food. Its like a Three Stooges episode.
After I visited the Monkey Forrest, there was not much to do in town, and getting bored, I decided to try to improve my self by taking a class in local skills. For some reason, instead of taking a nice course in Balinese Instruments or Cooking, I decided to do wood carving.
Now, to educated those of you not in the Levine Clan, our family has a bit of a dicey history with sharp objects. There are several stories, one involving a tennis ball, another involving vegetables, which ended in trips to the hospital for those involved. Therefor, putting a razor sharp chisel in one hand and a heavy wooden mallet in the other might not have been the smartest move.
Now, if we had been using a proper workbench, I might have only been at risk of loosing a finger. However, how the Balinese do woodcarving is sitting on the floor. They sit, holding the piece of wood between their feet, legs bent at 90 degrees and knees to the ground, hunched over like they were stretching their groin. Now, try doing that. For the women out there, did it hurt? Men, I'm not even going to ask you if it hurt, because more than likely you are slaying to your self that its impossible for anybody with external reproductive organs.
Anyway, instead of possibility of coming back from this trip known as Nine Finger Noah, with a minor slip I might have taken out an ankle, a knee, or a much more important piece of equipment.
I escaped with only a minor scrape on my foot. It was fun though, although my piece of wood only came out OK with the great help of the instructor, who was some sort of contortionist the way he sat.
Anyway, back in Kuta now, I think I will spend the week before I leave sitting by the pool, relaxing before the craziness of Hong Kong and Japan.
Ubud is up in the mountains, surrounded by terraced rice patties and winding river valleys. However, it is not a destination you visit for the nightlife. After going to bed at 10 pm 3 nights in a row, I had enough. The activities during the day are just wandering the town, looking at shops and visiting temples in the jungle.
One of the cool local attractions is a monkey forrest. If you have ever heard my stories about India, I might have told you about the monkeys there. No matter how cute monkeys look, in reality they are vicious little beasts. The monkeys in India were psychotic kleptomaniacs. Women had to take their earrings out before they went near them or else the monkeys would tear them out.
The Ubud monkeys were much nicer. They would only attack you for your food. I saw a monkey jump a Dutch woman looking for the cookie hidden in her pocket. They are funny to watch, though. They just play fight the whole time, jump on each other's backs and knock each other off stairs. When they get bored with that they end up going to torture the few deer who live in a pen in the forrest, jumping on their backs and stealing their food. Its like a Three Stooges episode.
After I visited the Monkey Forrest, there was not much to do in town, and getting bored, I decided to try to improve my self by taking a class in local skills. For some reason, instead of taking a nice course in Balinese Instruments or Cooking, I decided to do wood carving.
Now, to educated those of you not in the Levine Clan, our family has a bit of a dicey history with sharp objects. There are several stories, one involving a tennis ball, another involving vegetables, which ended in trips to the hospital for those involved. Therefor, putting a razor sharp chisel in one hand and a heavy wooden mallet in the other might not have been the smartest move.
Now, if we had been using a proper workbench, I might have only been at risk of loosing a finger. However, how the Balinese do woodcarving is sitting on the floor. They sit, holding the piece of wood between their feet, legs bent at 90 degrees and knees to the ground, hunched over like they were stretching their groin. Now, try doing that. For the women out there, did it hurt? Men, I'm not even going to ask you if it hurt, because more than likely you are slaying to your self that its impossible for anybody with external reproductive organs.
Anyway, instead of possibility of coming back from this trip known as Nine Finger Noah, with a minor slip I might have taken out an ankle, a knee, or a much more important piece of equipment.
I escaped with only a minor scrape on my foot. It was fun though, although my piece of wood only came out OK with the great help of the instructor, who was some sort of contortionist the way he sat.
Anyway, back in Kuta now, I think I will spend the week before I leave sitting by the pool, relaxing before the craziness of Hong Kong and Japan.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Obama and Cultural Objections
I don't like to go into politics on a travel blog, but here it goes...
As I was eating my breakfast a few days ago, I happened to see Obama's victory speech on CNN after winning the primary. I think everybody who I have spoken to here has been thrilled that he won. Although the politics at this point are very tricky, I have a feeling that he will find a way to pick his Vice President without causing too many waves.
Now, on to something more on point. A good rant.
On a survey of cultures world-wide, the Balinese are very far up on the niceness scale . However, no matter how low key and polite they may be, there is one habit that really bugs the crap out of me.
You might not have noticed, but in most restaurants in the world, when somebody places a bill in front of you, the waiter comes and takes the money, and then goes of to the registrar to count it and give you change. These little acts of trust, that you are giving the right amount of money, are common in any country I have been in.
In Bali, it is the complete opposite. In restaurants big and small, expensive or cheep, the waiter makes a point of counting your money right at the table, standing over you. One time I left money on the table, and the waiter stopped me to count the money in front of me before he let me get up and leave.
I don't know what it is, but this little fact has been nagging in my head the whole time I have been in Bali. I try to put it off as over-reacting. No matter how many times I say to myself that it is cultural thing, the fact that a people can be so nice, and yet never trust a person enough to pay for what they have bought, is enough to set me on edge.
Anyway, that's all I have for today. Have a wonderful night (day for you).
As I was eating my breakfast a few days ago, I happened to see Obama's victory speech on CNN after winning the primary. I think everybody who I have spoken to here has been thrilled that he won. Although the politics at this point are very tricky, I have a feeling that he will find a way to pick his Vice President without causing too many waves.
Now, on to something more on point. A good rant.
On a survey of cultures world-wide, the Balinese are very far up on the niceness scale . However, no matter how low key and polite they may be, there is one habit that really bugs the crap out of me.
You might not have noticed, but in most restaurants in the world, when somebody places a bill in front of you, the waiter comes and takes the money, and then goes of to the registrar to count it and give you change. These little acts of trust, that you are giving the right amount of money, are common in any country I have been in.
In Bali, it is the complete opposite. In restaurants big and small, expensive or cheep, the waiter makes a point of counting your money right at the table, standing over you. One time I left money on the table, and the waiter stopped me to count the money in front of me before he let me get up and leave.
I don't know what it is, but this little fact has been nagging in my head the whole time I have been in Bali. I try to put it off as over-reacting. No matter how many times I say to myself that it is cultural thing, the fact that a people can be so nice, and yet never trust a person enough to pay for what they have bought, is enough to set me on edge.
Anyway, that's all I have for today. Have a wonderful night (day for you).
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Surf's Up, Mate
So many Aussies. If I hear "mate" one more time I will start throwing bottles. I would love to see an Australian and a Canadian get into a fight:
"I'm not your mate, buddy!"
"I'm not your buddy, mate!"
(Please see South Park episode about Canada on Strike for the reference)
Kuta, in Bali, is beautiful. The climate is similar to Florida: 80 degree weather with not too much humidity. Tropical plants, great surf at the beach, and good restaurants everywhere. Also, like the Thais they leash their cows.
Things are ridiculously cheep too. A Bintang (the local Beer Chang here) costs around a $0.85. A nice hotel with a pool, AC, hot water and cable TV goes for less than $20 a night. Dinner might set you back $3.50.
So basically, when Ft. Lauderdale fills up, expect to hear Yiddish spoken here.
The one really annoying thing about Bali is there love of bad american music. It's just that a lot of restaurants tend to think that bringing in a band is a draw. However, when said band is butchering a Third Eye Blind tune while your trying to eat, and it gets a little annoying. Switch that an Evanescence song, and you just might want to go find a coconut to throw.
I support upcoming musical talent, just not when I am trying to eat.
I tried surfing a few days ago. Lots of fun, if I could just learn to stand up. It was great exercise though, you really feel it in your chest the next day. I am actually getting a nice tan here, something rare for me.
I am off to Ubud in a few days. It is up in the jungle about an hour and half away from here. Known as a center for Balinese arts, it is suppose to be very relaxing. Woodstock in Bali?
Off to the beach, see you later.
"I'm not your mate, buddy!"
"I'm not your buddy, mate!"
(Please see South Park episode about Canada on Strike for the reference)
Kuta, in Bali, is beautiful. The climate is similar to Florida: 80 degree weather with not too much humidity. Tropical plants, great surf at the beach, and good restaurants everywhere. Also, like the Thais they leash their cows.
Things are ridiculously cheep too. A Bintang (the local Beer Chang here) costs around a $0.85. A nice hotel with a pool, AC, hot water and cable TV goes for less than $20 a night. Dinner might set you back $3.50.
So basically, when Ft. Lauderdale fills up, expect to hear Yiddish spoken here.
The one really annoying thing about Bali is there love of bad american music. It's just that a lot of restaurants tend to think that bringing in a band is a draw. However, when said band is butchering a Third Eye Blind tune while your trying to eat, and it gets a little annoying. Switch that an Evanescence song, and you just might want to go find a coconut to throw.
I support upcoming musical talent, just not when I am trying to eat.
I tried surfing a few days ago. Lots of fun, if I could just learn to stand up. It was great exercise though, you really feel it in your chest the next day. I am actually getting a nice tan here, something rare for me.
I am off to Ubud in a few days. It is up in the jungle about an hour and half away from here. Known as a center for Balinese arts, it is suppose to be very relaxing. Woodstock in Bali?
Off to the beach, see you later.
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