There was a big earthquake in my neck of the woods this last weekend..
I am ok.. in fact I didn’t even feel it. Funny story actually.. well maybe not funny.
Where to begin.
Saturday was a 6 hour aikido day for me. I got up in the morning and went to the high school for training and there testing. After that, a quick shower and a couple of beers with one of my aikido senseis, l2 and I were off to onomichi with the aforementioned sensei (and his wife.)
They both grew up in onomichi and go there every weekend to visit folks and teach aikido at a local dojo. So after a 30 minute car ride and more beer, we arrived. Took in some sites briefly, snacked at went for another 3 hours of aikido. A kids/juniors class and an adult class. The junior class consisted of about 7 middle school/early high school girls. Three of which were so afraid or embarrased by me they wouldnt work with me or make eye contact (w0000t.) The adult class consisted of 1 guy and two high kids. There are normally more people but this was a holiday weekend, so people were traveling. Anyways, basically private lessons for me, good stuff.
After the third training session, more alcohol. Wine and beer were flowing like crazy. The more I live here, the more I understand that there is no such thing as alcoholism in the land of the rising sun. If only they hade red bull and vodka..
Anyways, after a few hours of drinking, we went to eat dinner. Now a bit about this town. Onomichi sits on the coast and makes most of its money from shipbuilding and importing goods. Along with this, the fish is some of the freshest in the area. Since l2 doesn’t eat meat and his wife doesn’t eat sashimi, it was a great chance for both of us to eat what we normally dont get to.
Salmon cutlets from heaven, tako and ika divine. Of course there were two bottles of sake and beer out of something that resembled a quicktrip superpint cup. By time we left, I was well into the night… only to go back to the dojo and drink for another hour or so. < thinly sliced octopus,sliced onions, tomatoes and a light vinagrette.. w00talicious WB )
The earthquake happened sometime in the early morning, I was passed out and didn’t feel it. In fact I don’t think anyone in the group did.. Oh wells..
The next day we tour’d onomichi and all the different shrines that the city has. Very beautiful and interesting. I should have pictures soon.
All in all it was quite fun.
Ohanami (cherry blossom viewing) is coming up in the next few weeks. Yet again another excuse for the japanese to sit outside and drink themselves silly. So I am looking forward to it. 
If things pan out properly, next sunday I will be in a ‘kiyomori samura matsuri.’ Singing samurai festival is the best translation I can do. Anyways, I will get to dress up in yoroi (samurai armor) and get to march in a parade. Should be fun if they have any positions left.
’nuff said.