I've been a Japonophile most of my life. I once had a fascination for Manga, moving on to food and then the people and country. I have family living in Tokyo and have been fortunate enough to visit them a few times. The first time was in the depths of winter. I was living in Singapore at the time and we flew over night, leaving 35'C of sun and twenty four hours later, experiencing -20'C in a blizzard! This was taken that first day near the spa and ski town of Nozawa Onsen. It was a week day and with the conditions, hardly anyone was about. I was in heaven, laughing into the void. This picture was taken during a rare break in the snowfall. I didn't have a wide angle lens, so I took four shots and stitched them together when I was back home. I still remains one of my favourite images.
Later that day I bought a 500 yen bowl of ramen ($5, £4, €4). I took one mouthful and thought, 'so this is how ramen is supposed to taste!'
Can't believe it's Friday already. Badge bits certainly keep me busy. I've finished two PEA badges, awaiting approval. I'm doing more long term planning looking at PEP straw badges and beyond. My big project is a rocket stove / oven. It's going to be expensive and require lots of new skills and tools. On the plus side, I could use it to heat my garage / workshop and then carry on with other tasks throughout the winter. I still have a bunch of tools to restore and I want to start working on dimensional lumber projects.
My thoughts are with the people of BC who had their third extreme weather event this week. It's another place that's dear to my heart and I also have family there including my son whose a student in Kelowna.
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