Kamikaze Baseball in Kyoto, Japan

During World War II Kamikaze Piloting was introduced to the Japanese by military planners as the world’s first “extreme sport,” but for unknown reasons, its small group of loyal enthusiasts often met with an early demise, thus when baseball was popularized during US rebuilding efforts, it caught on rather quickly, giving America a huge assist in Japan having the world's longest life expectancy of any country.

While riding my bike around the Imperial Palace of Kyoto, I came across a group of college students taking infield practice at a nearby dusty diamond.

Japanese baseball buddies

Dressed in about the nicest clothes I had taken with me, not having taken a ground ball in years, I naturally volunteered to play. Surprised, one of them tossed the guy in the blue button up shirt a glove, and watched him trot out to the shortstop position.

POV view of taking groundballs in Japan

They speak little English (one of the surprising things about Japan) but when I make a high velocity throw to first they chant in unison, “pitcher, pitcher, pitcher.” I play with them for about a half hour before we break and get together to talk and take pitchers … er, I mean pictures.

Team and I posing for pictures

I find them friendly, and grateful that I took the chance and played with them. They say they are a team, and from practicing with them for the brief amount of time I did, I can definitively tell you not to expect to see them hoisting a tournament trophy over their heads any time. However, I refrain from suggesting they switch over to kamikaze piloting, they are far too nice. 

Thanks guys!

What To Do in Los Angeles for Tourists

Being a Los Angelino now for quite a while, I thought I would eradicate some myths for you tourists out there visiting the city and give you a list of things you might want to see.

First of all, unlike the majority of European cities, there is no “center.” Los Angeles is urban sprawl at its worst, extending nearly 50 miles in any direction. Good luck seeing the city in a few days.

There are definitely areas you do NOT want to tread, nor, and for most purposes, unless you get lost visiting USC, will you have any reason to step foot into South Central or East Los Angeles, unless maybe you have a relative in the Crips, Bloods, or MI-6. If so, tell them I say hi.

Cars

Also unlike most European cities, the public transport system in LA is poor. In order to see it properly, you really need a car, preferably one with GPS (or use your phone). If you make a wrong turn, especially during rush hour, it can take you twenty minutes to get back to your original location.

Driving in LA is Not fun. You simply want to be OFF the road during rush hour, lest you spend all eternity and then some in your auto. To boot, you need to read and re-read the street parking signs to insure you don’t get a ticket. Parking enforcement in Los Angeles is about as efficient as government can be, and is a primary revenue driver for the city. The tickets ain’t cheap!

Hollywood parking notification. You need a PhD with hours to kill to decipher it.

this is the top part of the same sign, not visible in the above photo

What’s Great About LA

The weather. Best thing about this area of the world, and why so many people choose to live here. I can’t imagine intentionally living in area that is cold and rainy or gets a lot of snow. When you come to LA, make sure to choose outdoorsy activities.

Where to Visit

Venice Beach -- one of the coolest things in Los Angeles. Go get a T-shirt, some junk food, get some custom made clothing/ shoes with your photos on them at The Ave. on Winward (right by the beach), rent some rollerblades and go up the bike path, get a boogey board and jump in the water, watch some of the free shows put on by performers, tip if you like them, or just people watch. Either way, you’re going to have a fun time.

Venice Beach bikepath

The Getty Museum—If you’re a lover of fine art, you can’t go wrong with the Getty. Best of all its free!

LACMA + The La Brea Tar Pits—Situated side by side to one another, you can get into the La Brea tar pits and see fossils of ancient mammals, and the actually oily pits where the animals encountered their demise by venturing in. 

Also here are a several museums (LACMA) for those of you into that sort of thing.

Comedy Shows- I kid you not, the comedy shows in LA are likely the best in the world, and you can often catch celebrity comics like Joe Rogan, Dane Cook, amongst others. You want to go to either the Comedy Store, The Hollywood Improv, or The Laugh Factory. They are all fairly close to one another in West Hollywood (the gay district of LA) and are usually a lot of fun. Please don’t heckle the comics.

Mann’s Chinese Theater + Hollywood Walk of Fame- Here you will see all the stars and handprints of Hollywood, from Lucille Ball to Jim Carrey. Outside Mann’s you’ll see many people dressed up as comic book/ movie characters trying to earn a living. Parking is an arduous task in this area of town, so be prepared to pay. This is a highly touristy thing to do, but if you've never been in town, go ahead. 

3^rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica- Great upscale place to walk around, and grab some food. The Apple Store is located here.

The Grove- Similar to Promenade, but a little bigger. A big shopping center in the Hollywood area. Very popular and busy. Nice place to walk around.

Skidrow- Want to see where they put all the homeless people, it used to be skid row in downtown LA (right by the Staples Center) … police used to pick up vagrants and just drop off ‘em off in the area. Now that downtown is being developed this is changing, but the soup kitchens and shelters are still there, and you can go volunteer if you want to spend a day this way.

Disneyland + 6 Flags Magic Mountain-  Although Anaheim is technically not part of LA, and at least a good hour away, Disneyland is a must see for those of you travelling here with children. Magic Mountain, in Valencia, is great if you are into rollercoasters. Be prepared for long lines in both parks of course. 

Universal Studios- Definitely, without a doubt, worth experiencing once. It's fun, but quite expensive for one day, so make sure you've saved up.

Celebrity Insider Tour-- You see so many of these tours going around LA, this one was voted #1 on trip advisor, and I have seen the host perform around Los Angeles, and he is very  funny and witty. The tour doesn't go everyday, but if you're into this sort of thing, I advise you try it out over the others. 

Nightlife

LA Does have nightlife, but everything closes down at 2 AM  with last call @ 1:30 by city ordinance. The “happening clubs” are always changing, but you can definitely see some pretty people in them. LA attracts the best looking people from around the world, generally with severely needy egos, who want to make it in the entertainment industry.

Nature

Believe it or not, LA has some excellent hikes. Go up to Malibu (a bit of a drive) and take this trail. You’ll see some gorgeous views of the Pacific.

Or go hiking in the Temescal Canyon area. You aren’t likely to see a lot of wildlife, but maybe the occasional snake, rabbit, or deer might be spotted.

Bottom Line

LA is a huge sprawling metropolis, and it’s not a place to play by ear, with everything close by like Prague might be. You can definitely have fun here, and the weather's great, but avoid rush hour traffic, and bring some sunscreen.

Thoughts, leave me a comment below.

Racism in Kyoto's Red Light District

Having obliterated the rappers of Kyoto in our rap battle, I head out to explore more of the city’s nightlife. I come to what appears to be the red light district. The Japanese are famous for their nose to the grindstone work ethic, countered by a polar swing to hedonistic drunken debauchery, so I thought it would make an excellent investigation for all of you out there in Readerville. (honest Mom!)

Japanese brothel- outside 

Looking up at the photos of scantily clad Asian women laying on their sides, looking lasciviously back at me, I approach the door where a large (by the standards of Japan) man stands in my way. He crosses his wrists over one in an X, his fists pointing at the sky, and speaks to me in Japanese. I pretend not to understand.

“Just want to take a look,” I respond, trying to sneak around him. Again, he X’s me out, his voice more stern.

“You don’t understand, I’m American,” I explain, with the firm belief that such diplomacy and name dropping will gain me immediate entry. A third X in the frame, I have struck out, yet I walk away feeling giddy. “Wow, this is so cool, I just experienced racism!” I remark to myself.

I walk to the next X rated boutique and receive the same treatment. Suddenly racism isn’t as enjoyable, though I still find it humorous.

I venture to restaurant row, finding an American sipping on on a Sapporo beer, Tim, to whom I relate my tale of woe. He explains that foreigners are considered unclean, and should it become known that they are being allowed in, the locals would quickly steer clear of the establishment.

“Yeah, we said the same thing about allowing blacks into Southern diners in the 1950's,” I remark ruefully, “The world still has a long way to go.”

He laughs, “I’m not sure if it’s the same as letting you into their women,” he retorts.

Epic Rap Battle in Kyoto, Japan

I arrive in Kyoto in the late afternoon, check into my accommodations, rent a bicycle, and immediately pedal away, ready explore the city.

Darkness quickly falls as I arrive in the center of town. I see Japanese queuing up at the Golden Arches of the local McDonald’s, I go inside to investigate. Very pricey, but full of different entrees than America, including the Ebi Filet-O (filet of shrimp-O). ... I eat at most one bag of small fries a year, I’d rather try some Japanese food.

Upon stepping outside I hear the faint sounds of the Pied Piper- hip-hop is playing nearby, in Japan? I investigate and sure enough, a beat box between them, Japanese Eminems are battling each other. Though I have no idea what they are saying, I can tell they are talented, certainly more so than me. I never imagined this would be the first thing I’d experience in Japan, a rap battle on the streets of Kyoto. 

I sit and watch in admiration. A rapper, who has, as his chosen fashion accessory- a batting helmet, steps off stage. I approach to compliment his abilities.

He doesn’t understand me, instead in broken English challenges me to get out there and sing (rap.) My head swings back at the thought, and I warn him that I am not going to be up to snuff, but he’s not hearing it (nor does he understand) It reminds me of World War II, with America back to do battle, except this time we're invading the Japanese streets. 

“Yo, give me da mic. Hey Hiroshi, drop me a phat beat. Yeah, that’s right, Rich from America, coming right at ya!”

You can see my highlight in the following video. I actually battled a couple times, and realized brevity in the video will make me look far better.

Some people like my friend Vanessa can rhyme all the time to the point it’s sublime. I haven’t yet mastered this art.

I exit the stage to applause from the Japanese. I have to think this is the first time an American has done battle with them, and I get the feeling they are appreciative of what they might consider brave. I am rarely a shrinking violet though, and see no risk in making a fool of myself because I rarely, if ever, care what anyone thinks of me.

In fact, to the contrary, I believe it’s my duty to go out there and express fully the energy inside me. In doing so, it’s my belief that I unconsciously give others permission to release the energy of joy and love inside of them.

It’s also the reason I was recently complimented, told by someone I am the greatest dancer in history. Don’t believe me? I have proof- Rich declared Greatest dancer ever- here's why visit link.

Thank you Japaaaaannnnnnnnn!!!! I’m outtie.

(For a much longer version of the rapping, including me, you can visit this video. Yes, I am not good, I know.)

Japanese Bullet Trains- The Shinkansen

Getting to Japan

My passport has run out of pages, and the airline insists the Japanese need enough room to plant their larger than normal entry stamp/ visa on arrival. They’re refusing to let me board my plane!

I’m saved only by the fact that the page with my Chinese Visa, has no stamp on the page itself, allowing me to gently pull off the affixed visa and re-present a passport with a blank spot. The bureaucrats quite nearly extracted a significant pound of flesh from me.

Bullet train pulling into station

The Shinkansen

Upon arriving in Tokyo, my first step is to go to the train station and present my voucher for my pre-paid one week JR (Japan Rail) pass I purchased in America. I had to carry the voucher around with me for months before getting to Japan, lose it and I would be out not only the $300 or so I paid, but additionally having to shell out in excess of $100 per ride in addition. The passes are only available overseas, and proved to be a wonderful and highly unusual moment of pre-planning for a guy who once tried to ride through Laotian quick sand on a bicycle.  

An electronic sign announces the appointed arrival time of the train taking me to Kyoto. The Shinkansen (the name of the Japanese high speed train line) is never tardy. I mean, if that train gets in 2 minutes late, it’s considered a national disgrace; the entire nation literally walks around with their head held low in penance for several days.

The ibside of a bullet train- clean comfy

The Shinkansen is an incredibly efficient form of transportation, immaculately clean, and travelling in stretches at 180 mph, you reach your destination in a hurry. The fact that such high speed rail exists over much of the industrialized world and not in America does not sit well with me. Each and every single ride I took in Japan was quite comfortable and quiet, making the trains I have taken through Eastern Europe and SE Asia a hazy laughable memory.

I'm gently dreaming of this train's distant Mr. Hyde's as we gently decelerate, and pull into Kyoto station.

Train going by Mount Fuji

Wild Water Adventure in Lisbon

Walking back to my hotel, thirsty. A Chinese grocery store miraculously appears in front of me; still open this late in the evening.
After far too long of sifting through packets of dry noodles, canned fruits, and soy sauce, I finally notice a hidden cooler with bottled water. Hurriedly I walk to the counter with my prize.

The clerk is on the phone, making it clear through her body language and facial expression that I’m imposing on her conversation and my attempt to help the store to stay in business must not go unpunished.

Turning away from me, she continues her conversation in Chinese, a not so pleasant sounding language, especially when it reaches argumentative tones, which is constantly. 

Impatiently, my foot taps the ground as I wait. At one minute I’m about to leave, she turns subtly towards me, raising her index finger, commanding my patience. At a minute-thirty I’m curious how much longer she can go- another 45 seconds.

Turning towards me: “One euro,” she demands sternly … What a rip-off. I’d have paid it right away, but I’m not going to reward horrendous customer service. I leave the bottle on the counter, and walk out without saying a word.

A block up is a larger grocery store. I enter and find the water, return to the front of the store. The line is a half mile long with a dawdling elderly clerk from the 1950’s, his bi-focals falling to the edge of his nose, readjusting them before he picks up each item, stopping intermittently to make conversation  with a dark skinned 60 year old woman he seems to have known since birth, both for whom time moves at ¼ speed.

The pace of impatient tapping of fingers across the folded arms of patrons increases with each passing year, as we all slowly go grey. At last the elderly lady grabs her stuff, allowing the line to inch ahead.

A decade later, I’ve moved up to third in line, my singular bottle of water cradled in my arms like a child. I might have spent a decade here, but I'm set to save half a Euro- I certainly showed the rude clerk in the Chinese store what's what. 

In the midst of my pride, a 50 year old man, unshaven, inebriated, a ballcap low over his face, slides to the front of the line and hands his 4 items off to his friend. The line in unison shouts at him, even in his half-drunken stupor he’s knocked a step back by its force.

“What?” he asks with weaselly innocence. As the crowd continues to express its displeasure, his friend comes to his defense like a tobacco lawyer riding in on an ashen horse, proclaiming his amigo blameless. The crowd's not having it, as the two sides growl at each other like packs of wolves ready to fight over a kill, I feel as though I'm about to get torn in half being in the middle. The good natured clerk folds his arms in protest of the quarrel, releasing them only briefly every few seconds to readjust his bifocals. 

Instinct tells me to leave before the situation gets worse. Without a word, I drop my bottle of water on the counter and hurry back to the Chinese grocery store.

“Closed” reads the sign on the front door. 

Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Gaudi, one of the greatest architects who has ever lived designed perhaps the world's most beautiful church, La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

This video show you what it's like inside the church- the video is probably better than the pics below to get an idea of the beauty and awe the church.

It's $20 to get in, the city continues to make residual revenues from the amazing work created by its most famous resident, a century and a half ago. It's hard to get an idea of the scope, size, and beauty without going there in person, but it's definitely worth $20 for the visit.

Gaudi's work imitates nature, where he spent much of his childhood waling and contemplating. He was fascinated by nature's seeming perfection and symmetry and was the first architect to employ it to his work.

Note the tree like (branch) structure of the columns

If you go to Barcelona, make sure to stop by!

The Joy of Seeing FC Barcelona + Lionel Messi in Person

I get off the Metro with the large crowd and blindly follow them to what I assume is Barcelona stadium to see the most famous Spanish sports team play in La Liga, perhaps the top soccer league in the world.
A half kilometer later the stadium unfurls itself, flags waving from atop the structure as the crowd pours in.
I purchase my ticket from a scalper for 30 Euros (about $40) definitely not a cheap ticket and a demonstration of how soccer crazy the Spanish are.

warm-ups at a FC Barcelona game

I find my seat at midfield. The seats are better than I expected, and I'm taken with the friendly nature of the fans. As they announce Barcelona's starting line-up the crowd cheers after each name, as opposed to  England where the hooligans smash beer bottles on each other's heads.

It's quickly apparent that Barca is the superior side, just a matter of time before they put one into the net; Messi hits the crossbar with a free kick.

Scoreboard at FC Barcelona game

check out this video and get a feel for the atmosphere at Barcelona stadium

My favorite moment of the game was when an opposing player believed he had won a ball cleanly and was called for a foul, expressed his displeasure by booting the ball far out of bounds, promptly earning him a yellow card, and a derisive chant of "Loco, Loco, Loco," from the crowd. (crazy, crazy crazy) I'm proud to say I participated in the chant.

FC Barcelona on the pitch

Watching Messi Play

Watching Lionel Messi play is probably like watching Babe Ruth play baseball in the 1920's. He is so superior to the other players, it shows almost immediately, and you don't even have to know soccer to aware of it. He scored twice and assisted on the other in Barca's 3-1 victory.

And by the way, to all you people who say soccer is a boring game to watch; it is Far better in person than on TV. In being able to see the whole field, you understand why players make the decisions they do. You gain a better feel for the speed at which the game is played, and the skill involved.

Should You go?
By all means, if you are in Barcelona when a game is played, and can afford the price, absolutely go. The atmosphere is far more family friendly than England, with their famed soccer hooligans who are only looking for an excuse to fight and cause mayhem. That just doesn't exist here.
All the fans seemed to enjoy the game, and it was definitely a highlight of my time in Spain!
"Barca! Barca! Barca!"