  Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5336 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hello from Hiroshima, Japan. jjaba has been on a whirlwind tour of Japan. Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima. At Ground Zero, near Peace Park, jjaba experiences the horror of the A-bomb memories. 200,000 killed instantly and another 200,000 died from complicatins of the attack. Many international pilgrims come to witness. The attack immediately ruined 4 sq. miles of dense urban life. All bldgs., people, and vegetation gone instantly in that flash of light. Clocks around town set at 8:15am, Aug. 6, 1945. Clocks in stone, in metals, art clocks, old watches off the dead. There are several museums depicting the horror, similar to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Hiroshima was re-built at a post-war modern city on a grid with wide streets. Mazdas are built here on the edge of town. On Aug. 9,1945 a seocnd A-bomb was delivered to Nagasaki. 150,000 dead. The Enola Gay plane came in from Tinian Island and the bombs exploded at 1,900 feet. They cut away from the bombs and could feel the heat and rattle as they turned back towards the sea. The planes made it back to base safely. They encountered no anti-aircarft fire. Infact the 5th Japanese Army stationed in Hiroshima was in Korea at the time. 50,000 Korean forced laborers working in Hiroshima were killed, and many US GI POWs also were victims of the A-Bomb attack. jjaba, reporting in. | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 1936 Registered: 02-2004 |
Enjoy a bowl of real honest-to-god ramen for us, Jjaba. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3355 Registered: 10-2003 |
Why are you up so late? Or so early? | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1774 Registered: 11-2003 |
I was wondering when you were going to chime in,jjaba. I previously posted on another thread that you had finally crossed to the (Far) East Side. Nothing much to report happening here. Kinda quiet, actually. Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, Pistons are in the Finals, Tigers are in first place, Cass Tech High has reopened as a 4th Casino, the Dexter bus won the Indianapolis 500, Mayor Conyers enjoys her new position, I sold your ticket to this Fall's Michigan-Oregon game for $10, Lowell is back working for Sears, and I have been elected to the Board of the Jewish Federation League. Might as well stay put where you are for a while. I will let you know when the news picks up. Don't forget your Green Card. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3873 Registered: 10-2003 |
jjaba is in tomorrow land reflecting on a sad past. Arigato jjaba and careful with the puffer fish. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1403 Registered: 12-2005 |
Wouldn't Japan technically be on the East side? | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 962 Registered: 01-2006 |
I am happy to see a check-in post from Jjaba. I have been wondering why he had not been heard from, around these parts, in a while. Jjaba, enjoy your trip, and please return safely. Best wishes, Ravine. Edit: for sloppy spelling errors. (Message edited by ravine on June 07, 2007) | ||
Douglasm Member Username: Douglasm Post Number: 853 Registered: 10-2003 |
China? You didn't like the statue at 4th and Davis, or did they kick you out of the House of Louie? | ||
Thnk2mch Member Username: Thnk2mch Post Number: 943 Registered: 02-2006 |
quote: Looks more like The_rock is in another land: quote: | ||
Crash_nyc Member Username: Crash_nyc Post Number: 898 Registered: 08-2004 |
If you happen back through Tokyo, make sure to spend a late-night perusing the hundreds of tiny bars in the Golden Gai section of Shinjuku. When I say tiny, I mean max-capacity 6 or 8 people (open the door, hit the back of a bar stool). Probably the coolest bar district of any city in the world, and a hangout for artists, musicians & intellectuals in Tokyo. If you can find the bar "Jetee" in the labyrinth of narrow dark alleyways and lanterns, you'll find Francis Ford Coppola's favorite Tokyo drinking hideaway. We stumbled upon it purely by accident the last time we were there -- it's down at end of a seemingly dead-end path in the Gai. Japan is one of the coolest countries in the world, and as cities go, Tokyo & Osaka are among the best. Just explore and have fun! http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyof eaturestories/364/tokyofeature storiesinc.htm | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1775 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba-Forgot to mention that Paris Hilton has a skin rash and GWB has a tummy ache, so remember to take your shots. | ||
Lt_tom Member Username: Lt_tom Post Number: 210 Registered: 06-2004 |
Another interesting place is the Gotemba Kogen Brewery at the Gotemba Kogen resort in ... Gotemba ! (Which is in the rural Mt. Fuji area) It is a microbrewery which has its own German beerhall and buffet (its enormous inside). What kind of band plays at the beer hall? A real Brazilian samba band of course !(when I was there anyhow). Only in Japan...a great country. Jjaba, are you getting to ride on the Shinkansen? | ||
Lt_tom Member Username: Lt_tom Post Number: 211 Registered: 06-2004 |
Oh, one more thing. Gotemba is a great place to go if you want to get away from the city and see rural Japan. It is a resort area, not very built up at all. However, accomodations-wise, it ain't the Four Seasons. But if you want to check out some hot springs, maybe take a hike up Mt. Fuji (a short bus), or stroll through an old Japanese forest all by yourself and get some peace and quiet, check it out. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5337 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba had taken several Shinkansen Bullet trains. He timed them into and out of Hiroshima station from the 11th floor of a dept. store food court. Time in station is always about 1 minute 15 seconds to unload and reload a 16 car passenger train. They run out at 180 MPH in urban areas, and up to 300 MPH flat out in the mtns. and rural areas. Incredible rides. No luggage. Your luggage is shipped from hotel by truck to your next place. jjaba rides local trains, rope tows (cable car gondolas), different kindz buses, and taxis. Taxi drivers are very nice, cabs are very clean with fresh linen covering seats, and he opens the passenger doors automatically for you. They close the same. No, I am not going back to Tokyo. Yes to Mt. Fuji. Lived in a Japanese style hotel near Hakone. Twice a day schvitz. Natural hot water pools are incredible. Sleeping on tatami mats with bean bag pillows. MikeM, you're too cynical. (But might be on to something.) Osaka airport built in the sea on artificial island. It is sinking. They predict it is good for 50 yrs. max. Toilet seats are heated and self cleanse when you sit down. They can be used as bidet too. There are no bars of soap. All cleaning is done with liquids. If you can read, you can push buttons. Air dry your hands. Ancient temples and shines have modern plumbing. Mazda is made in Hiroshima. Mazda City is huge and there are trains for the workers with a five minute walk to work. There are huge bike parking lots for workers, and a nice museum. Free assembly line tours. About as many USA companies seen around Japan as we have Japanese companies in USA. Disney, 7-11, Circle K, USA cars, Universal Studios in Osaka, KFC, Pizza Hut, Coke, Pepsi, Starbucks, Tullys Coffee, Kodak, Xerox, Mc Donalds, Pringles, Hersheys, and plenty of American food everywhere. Plenty of transnational restaurants like French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean. Thanks Rock. jjaba was wondering about Detroit sports and life back in Detroit. Did we invade Canada since jjaba has left? Yes, jjaba took his shots although they say you can drink the water. jjaba prefers sake. Rock, did you get a bad load of dope in GP this week? jjaba, on the road. | ||
Lt_tom Member Username: Lt_tom Post Number: 212 Registered: 06-2004 |
Cant forget those heated toilet seats! The bathroom mirrors that don't fog up are also fascinating. | ||
Crash_nyc Member Username: Crash_nyc Post Number: 900 Registered: 08-2004 |
Had a lot of fun with the toilets. It's a shocker the first time you randomly press a button, and water unexpectedly shoots up your ass. Tell us about Mt. Fuji after you go. I've only seen it from a distance on the Shinkansen beween Tokyo & Kyoto, and once from the air flying out of Osaka Kansei. Such an unforgettable view: Mt. Fuji peeking up above the clouds. Speaking of the Shinkansen, it really only peaks-out at around 180mph on regular passenger trips. While it has the ability to go 300mph, the rails aren't stable enough to handle that speed with a fully-loaded train. Helluva ride! Pricey though. Just don't ride hung-over. I almost got sick once on a ride between Kyoto & Atami, after a long night of bar-hopping in Kyoto. The blur of the world going by outside your window at 180mph isn't much fun when your stomach is already doing flip-flops! If you have to opportunity to visit Kyoto, don't think twice and just do it. With it's thousands of temples & shrines, it's probably the most fascinating city in Japan in a historical sense, and the most photogenic. Make sure to check out the Sanjusangendo Temple. As you've probably noticed: the cooler the shrine/temple, the more gifted barrels of sake are stacked-up by the entrance. The coolest I've seen is the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo -- there's enough sake stacked-up outside that place to keep every bar in Roppongi stocked for a month! Japan is fascinating in that it is very westernized in many aspects, but still retains it's own cultural identity. It hasn't been "polluted". They manage to take the best of what they see from the US and around the world, perfect it in their own way, and make it their own. The best Italian meal that I've had outside of Italy was in Japan. The most authentic-feeling English pub that I've hung out at outside of England, was in Japan. It's a strange feeling there at times, but I can't help but to feel the utmost respect for the Japanese in the way that they respect and honor other cultures, and somehow seamlessly intertwine them with their own. However, no matter how long you spend in Japan, or how comfortable you become there, you will always be "baka gaijin".  Have fun, and keep us posted. ["Twice a day schvitz": LOL] | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5338 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yes, several nights in the shadow of Mt. Fuji in traditional Japanese hotel. Took the bus up to station #5. Great views. Took rope tow up to sulphur deposits, smelled terrible. Stamped my Passport with Mt. Fuji stamp. Is that Kosher in Japan? True, schvitz twice daily. You sure can get clean that way. Good report Crash NYC. Amazingly, Japan has French, German, Korean, English, Italian and American style restaurants, etc. jjaba is surprized at all the European-style bakeries in Japan. Yes, jjaba spent 5 nights in Kyoto. Great city. Busy city. Intact, was not bombed during WWII. jjaba, prune skin. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4497 Registered: 08-2004 |
LOL.... so now we learn that Japan has cornered the market on the "Sphincter Power Wash"... Jjaba enjoying the "East" side of the world... | ||
Crash_nyc Member Username: Crash_nyc Post Number: 902 Registered: 08-2004 |
A little-known Detroit>Japan connection: The son of former WDIV anchor Bob Pisor, Karl Pisor (a fellow U of D High alumnus) is a long-time resident of Tokyo. He is a successful businessman there (no small feat for a "gaijin"), and has a family with his Japanese wife. [BTW: Bob Pisor retired to Leland, MI some years ago to run a bread store.] Glad to hear that you've experienced Kyoto, jjaba. Truly an amazing city. Keep the reports coming, and keep on schvitzin'! | ||
Crash_nyc Member Username: Crash_nyc Post Number: 903 Registered: 08-2004 |
Kyoto....was not bombed during WWII. I once read a historical account that revealed General Douglas MacArthur's role in the removal of Kyoto from the "hit-list" while the US was examining options for cities to bomb, during the darkest hours of WWII. Citing Kyoto's historical significance, he said "the Japanese would never forgive us" if we destroyed it. | ||
Buddyinrichmond Member Username: Buddyinrichmond Post Number: 184 Registered: 02-2004 |
Jjaba should get a blog! It would be a hit! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4504 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thanks for the historical info Crash_nyc, now if only the British would have done likewise with historic (non-military) Dresden Germany (once known as "Florence on the River Elbe"). Leland Michigan seems to draw its' share of local celebrities. Carol Duvall former Channel 4 "arts & crafts queen" of the 60's/70's also lives in Leland, and does her regular HGTV channel craft show from nearby Traverse City. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5339 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yes Gistok, jjaba admits to being on the Eastside of the Intl. Date Line. Ofcourse, Hiroshima is on the Westside of Japan. Because of Intl. date line, you lose a day going to Japan and come back to USA the same day. Thus a little trivia teaser for you. Name the N,S,W, & E states of the 50 USA states. You'll be surprized. Japan has limited internet cafes or telephone booths for foreign customers. Internet cafes are few and they chg. memberships. For that, you get free soft drinks, coffee, and ice cream, plus can read Japanese magazines and newspapers in comfortable seats. Wi-fi is available at Starbucks, Tully's and Seattle's Best Coffee stands. Plenty of local folks enjoy the service. The cheap telephone booths in the 3rd world via satellites are not available in Japan. Buddyinrichmond, this IS jjaba's blog. Welcome. jjaba on the Far Eastside. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2264 Registered: 12-2005 |
quote:The farthest? Alaska is the farthest west and north. Hawaii the farthest south. Maine the farthest east -- or is it Alaska?! Why? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4509 Registered: 08-2004 |
... it's like saying Atlanta is farther west than Detroit.... unbelievable, but true!! | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5341 Registered: 11-2003 |
Jimaz, you are on to the truth. Alaska is East, West and North. East because out in the Aleutians, Alaska is beyond the Intl. date line. Hawaii is on a latitude of Mexico City so clearly the most Southern State. Jimaz, post your email address and you'll get a reward. jjaba will contact you directly. Gistok, jjaba never knew that about Atlanta. We take you at your word. The Forum is THE TRUTH. Boise, Idaho is West of San Diego, Calif. also. Sometimes, reality defies perception, eh. jjaba, traveler. | ||
Crash_nyc Member Username: Crash_nyc Post Number: 906 Registered: 08-2004 |
Because of Intl. date line, you lose a day going to Japan and come back to USA the same day. Those return flights are bizarre in that you travel with the sun. It's like the neverending day. You're up half the day with the sun in Japan, ride on a plane for 13 hrs (to JFK) with the sun blazing the entire trip, then land in the US with plenty of daylight left. Always messes with my body clock. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5342 Registered: 11-2003 |
Crashnyc, precisely. There's a NWA direct flight to Detorit from Osaka which does precisely that. From Osaka, there's also a UAL flight to SFO that does precisely that. jjaba flew back with 100 Amway agents going to Grand Rapids, Mich. for a week of meetings at Dick Devos Hall. He's puts them up at Day's Inn. They were excited, but the itinerary was limited to flight to Grand Rapids and return directly. Now there's a view of America, eh. jjaba, home safely. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4536 Registered: 10-2003 |
I just cannot imagine flying over open water for hours upon hours, then again, I hate flying period. Jjaba, hope you had a great trip! | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5346 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba was in 5 locales; Toyko, Mt. Fuji/Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima on this trip. It was a good time. Thanks Patrick. jjaba, traveler, now back on the Westside. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2274 Registered: 12-2005 |
Jjaba, welcome home. quote:You can't imagine how much that means to me. I'm at  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5347 Registered: 11-2003 |
Jimaz, thanks. I'm contacting you now. jjaba. | ||
Crash_nyc Member Username: Crash_nyc Post Number: 907 Registered: 08-2004 |
Okaeri nasai, Jjaba-san. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1781 Registered: 11-2003 |
Welcome home, jjaba. I already had a call from a Japanese hotel I represent which tells me they are missing three towels and a blanket. And the maid's tip was a token for the People Mover. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 748 Registered: 10-2003 |
In looking for Jjaba, cops only need to search the people mover from Grand Circus Park to Financial District. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5348 Registered: 11-2003 |
Matt the Deuce tells it like it tis although jjaba does venture over to the Eastside of downtown. He thinks downtown belongs to all of Detroit, so the East-West conundrum does not apply. But if you ask jjaba to go over to Chalmers, Mack Ave., out Gratiot, or Charlevoix, think again. jjaba, Proudly Westsider. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2314 Registered: 12-2005 |
Jjaba, my trivia prize arrived in the mail today. I'm so thrilled. The stamps are almost as beautiful as the prize. One of them is a portrait of John Adams who I'm told is an ancestor of mine. What a coincidence! Thanks again! | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5362 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba enjoys buying old stamps from dealers at face value. Keeps jjaba sharp adding up to 41 cents on letters. Most stamp dealers have boxes of old stamps sold at face for postage. You must be a real Blueblood to have an ancester like John Adams. jjaba's family arrived in 1913, just before the Soviet Union was formed. Father says he played fiddle for the Czar. They brought the violin from Bougiefka, Ukraine. (Near Umon.) jjaba, Traveler. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1559 Registered: 01-2005 |
Hey, Jimaz....The Adams are cousins of mine, so we must be related. John Adams is my 4th cousin 3 times removed, and John Quincy Admas is my 3rd cousin 4 times removed. (The "removed" portion refers to how many generation differences there are). The Adams descended from John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, of the Mayflower. They are my common ancestors with the Adams. Didn't mean to hijack Jjaba's thread. The Adams used to ride the Dexter Bus........ | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2315 Registered: 12-2005 |
Ray1936, I used the qualifier "I'm told" because I haven't personally verified that lineage. I was also told that my aunt is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution though so who knows? On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me if I were related to the "other" Addams family who, I understand, also took the Dexter bus, er, literally. And kept it. Permanently. In the dungeon next to the guillotine.  (Message edited by Jimaz on June 16, 2007) | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1791 Registered: 11-2003 |
Don't get bent out of shape if your family did not come over on the Mayflower. History books tell us that many of the original Mayflower folks were a lot of bad dudes- more than a few criminals, some just staying ahead of the sheriff, and a few destined for the west side. My wife's family is descended from Peregrine White, born in Provincetown and considered to be the first child born to the Pilgrims while the Mayflower was anchored in the harbor. I gotta admit he invested well, and died with a few bucks. I bring this up at every family reunion. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1562 Registered: 01-2005 |
Hey, Jjaba....when are you returning home???? I'll be back home in Vegas about the 23rd, currently vacationing back in MI. Downtown Detroit was beautiful yesterday with all the "Cure for breast cancer" walkers in the loop, but today we're heading for Traverse City to do battle with some little golf balls........ | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5365 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ray1936, glad you are back home in Detroit and Michigan. I'm sure you'll always remember the streets on the Westside. How is our Detroit Times substation looking at Washburn and Grand River? Did Jerry fix your bike? Traverse City must be full of cherries about now. Yes, jjaba is back from Japan. He went to see the Hiroshima Carp baseball team with his Japanese girlfriend. We sat way up back in the dome in Sec. 24. jjaba kissed her on the strikes and she kissed jjaba on the balls. Then the vendor sold us some fresh sushi. jjaba, on the Westside of Honshu Island. | ||
Bushay Member Username: Bushay Post Number: 65 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jimaz. I'm an ancestor of John Alden myself. I never realized we had so many cousins on this forum. Jjaba, glad you made it back. I'd kill to take a vacation like that one day. | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 718 Registered: 11-2006 |
ha ha ha on the strikes and balls line. Doh! I've enjoyed reading your posts Jjaba. Thanks for taking the time while on your vacation. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5465 Registered: 11-2003 |
Back in USA now. Yes, it was a wonderful trip. Japan is worth the time and the money. It is very modern and the train service is exceptional. jjaba rode a lot of them in differing categories. jjaba. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1674 Registered: 01-2005 |
Hey, the book is wonderful! Only I really need to mentor you on the finer points of Keno.... | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5467 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba sent Ray1936 $5 for Keno and Ray1936 returned $1.00! What goes to Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. jjaba was looking for the $10,000 jackpot so he could visit Ray1936 in winter when the winds blow. Oh well. Ok, explain the fine pts. of Keno. jjaba, on the Dexter bus. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2732 Registered: 12-2005 |
Michael Shackleford, The Wizard of Odds, gives advice about Keno here. He's an actuary and so should know his stuff. I've independently tested his blackjack strategy. He's a straight shooter. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5469 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks Jimaz. jjaba will read up on it before getting into Keno again. jjaba. |
