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Jah Bless

posted on Friday, August 29, 2008 01:36 PM

It’s been just over three weeks since I last wrote a posting on my blog, and boy have I been busy. My best friend Justin, stayed in Japan with us for three weeks this month, and I must say it was a most enjoyable time. Jamaica won all sprint events at the bird’s nest and sent a message to the world that even from a small island far away we can rock the boat. Bolt, Bolt, Bolt! “Catch Me If You Can” is a perfect summary to the Beijing Olympics.

Justin’s stay in Japan presented many memorable and hilarious moments, as you could imagine with two former actors and considering we haven’t seen each other in just over a year. The summer got off to full swing with a “Move my yute” on the local train (and slapping his leg three times so that I could sit down as he was pretending to sleep on a overcrowded train). I saw my first water snake while cycling around the local rice fields, and had many historical and philosophical conversations.

Earlier this month Justin and I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hiroshima, for what would prove to be an educational trip, and a chance for us to talk about our future project. Along the journey, two passengers were very interested in hearing our Jamaican lingo, and so we all joined in conversations about the beauty of Jamaica and reggae music. So, Sayaka and Kazuya reggae boy… thanks for making our journey even more pleasant. After arriving in Hiroshima, checking into our hostel… we made our way to see the Atomic Dome site (Genbaku Dome). The first time we just looked at it and decided not to take any pictures. While the gravity and history surrounding this site engulfed us, less could be said for the surroundings. We thought it a great shame and disrespectful that buildings taller than the Genbaku Dome site was built around it in close proximity interfering with the view.

Our time spent in Hiroshima was wonderful, and I found it to be one of my favourite spots in Japan. The Peace Park and sitting by the river opposite Genbaku Dome is very tranquil and beautiful with delicate lighting at night. We ate Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza), and made some new friends, including Kenichi the Karate teacher who followed us around while looking for a Jamaican restaurant (which after an hour search was closed because they off attending a bashment), Jaimee from New Zealand (who I engaged in some deep conversations with about life and spirituality while sitting next to the river at night), and of course Michael, our main man from London with Nigerian origins. We met up many times while in Hiroshima and had soo much fun… eating a Japanese pubs, going to underground parties, talking politics, spirituality, history, and converting him into an Apple Mac user. Gosh, Apple really should give me commission! Michael is a wonderful bloke and we are glad to have met him… and miss him already. Justin and I will be sure to develop our friendship circle.

Naturally we visited the Peace Memorial Museum… it was an experience mixed with both sadness and anger for me. The power of destruction laid bare upon cabinet after cabinet, and room after room. I will not forget my trip to the museum, as it still remains vivid in my mind. Such destruction is unforgivable! I won’t go into graphic details of the things I saw, because I believe this is an experience that everyone should witness for oneself. But I will say it was gut wrenching! Justin and I left the museum in silence, said our prayers and then talked about our experience afterwards.

While in Hiroshima we took a little excursion to Miyajima Island via tram and ferry to visit the world famous Itsukushima Shrine (with it’s great red gate that sits graciously in the water). The Island was absolutely breathtaking with postcard scenery at every angle. Deers claimed the land below while the monkeys ruled the mountains. We took the ropeway to the top and look out a stunning 360 view of water, beaches, boats, islands, and mountains.

On our way to Osaka we talked about the “Cool Runnings” film (Jamaican film). We made some light-hearted jokes about the Germans disliking Jamaicans (which were absolutely hilarious and at times had ourselves reeling in laughter on public transport and on the streets, which believe me isn’t the norm in Japan). We said it would be funny if we shared our dorm with Germans, so when we arrived at the Osaka Guesthouse U-en to find out our roomies were in fact German, the laughter stopped. Being the positive people we were we introduced ourselves to them, but their reactions were bland, cold and very military-like – almost funny. Germans have the acute skill of being able to finish their sentences with a capital Berlin-ed full stop, leaving now room for conversation development. But luckily, later that evening we were able to swap to a twin room – lucky lucky lucky!

I later had a long conversation with the Guesthouse co-owner, Saki. She was a wonderful lady, and we talked about many lovely things, of course Jamaica being one of them! While in Osaka we meet with Sayaka (who I contacted through UK-JAPAN.net) and her friend Ryo who tour-guided us around wonderfully! So grateful for their kindness. As well as meeting Justin’s friend Hitomi! Very funny girl who likes to do lunch at the Ritz Carlton hotel in central Osaka. We ventured up the Osaka Sky Building to watch the sunset, when to Arima Onsen to dip ourselves in of the oldest hot spas (public bath) in Japan. Gorgeous doesn’t do it justice!

We also took an excursion to Kobe with Sayaka and Rio, went to Kitano (old part of Kobe with Western-styled buildings), the port harbour and did some dancing, tai chi, martial arts and singing in the park. We later found a Jamaican restaurant owned by a real Jamaican, Winston and his Japanese wife. The food was soo delicious and made me want to return back to the UK immediately. I was in heaven, as it had been over a year since I had had real Jamaican food back in London. My body was crying! And to top it off… if the Jerk chicken and sweet fried dumplings weren’t good enough; add the rum punch, fruitcake and plasma screen TV of Morgan Heritage on DVD!

After returning to Chiba we chilled for a day and then went to the beach in Kamogawa to stay in a traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan) by the beach. Justin and I sat out late at night talking deep stuff about Egypt, etc… while listening to the waves crashing in and the looking out as the moon shined on the ocean. My daughter woke up early that particular evening, so I took her for a walk down by the beach along with many fishermen (around 3am onwards). We caught the marble sunrise, my daughter, her mother and I. It was a lovely site – although we couldn’t see the sun itself, the changing colours it presented on the clouds was beautiful.

After swimming in the sea and all that, we visited Sea World, which the children loved… we watched the sea lion, dolphin, killer whale, and beluga dolphin shows as well as having a good look around. Took a day trip to Yokohama to meet Nao, did a boat cruise, ate ramen, and visited China Town, naturally. Our trip to downtown Tokyo was a highlight indeed. We meet with good friend Yutaka to discuss our respective and joint projects of Green Stay and Innovators’ Studio. We were excited and inspired by each other while eating a seafood lunch, and found new ideas being developed.

We also visited my friend’s leather shop – and later that week had lunch with them. The Ono’s are fantastic people, and wonderful hosts. I look forward to watching Champions League football with Naoko, and bouncing to reggae beats with her husband. We all had soo much fun, and they liked Justin soo much that they made two customised coin pouch holders with the Jamaican and Rasta colours for Justin. Soo kind! ^^

It’s been a long month indeed! One topped off by climbing Mt. Fuji (and yes it was my second time – so call me an absolute wanker if you wish). Justin made it to the 8th Station (as he wasn’t feeling well), while my father-in-law and I made it to the summit of Fuji-yama. This time the weather was really bad, so couldn’t see the sunrise, and to make things worse we had to battle against sharp, strong ice-cold winds. But there were glimmers of the sun shining across a sea of clouds. This time I challenged myself to move faster than the last time, and that I did. It was a personal self-rewarding challenge. Not everyone can say that have walked above the clouds twice, and had clouds drifting through them. Happy? Yes, I am!

It was great to have my best friend and brother from another mother here in Japan. We missed each other a lot and developed some solid ideas for Innovators Studio. We defined our roles for IS, and drafted up the first steps that we need to take to get it off the ground. I am really looking forward to getting back to London, because I have been starved of good, pure and exciting conversation since I arrived in Japan. London here I come! Thank you Justin!

All photos have been uploaded onto my Facebook and MySpace profiles in five separate photo albums for your viewing pleasure). And to be honest, taking video footage this time round was a priority, as I plan to use the shots of Japan in the future for documentary purposes.

So, the new football season has started – Come on you Gunners! And work starts next week… I will be attending new schools this time round, so its going to be a fresh start all round. It’s time to switch back into professional mode, and get Innovators’ Studio and Green Stay off the ground.

The future is looking bright once again here in the land of the rising sun, and part of that is due to receiving positive spiritual vibrations from my dear friend. I feel revitalised and ready for the challenges ahead. Jah Bless everyone!

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