Genki Genki!!!

Well my boots held up fine, but my feet did not follow suit. So to help with the pain and the acute body aches/soreness, I am sipping my 300 Yen Asahi beer in bed - available at one of the many vending machines littered around town.



The snow conditions here is amazing. Snow abundance! The feeling of that much soft snow under your feet is liberating and ... fun! However, my limited experience with 'power' means that there were plenty of stacking and carnage (leaving deep crevasses in the perfect terrain).




Lift tickets here are like stylised mug shots, except for Bretty's strategically positioned, perfectly posed model shot. Guess he had to live up to his 'handsome boy' tag - apparently some Japanese boys went up to him, looked him in the eye and said "handsome boy".





Speaking of homo behaviour, there's been much sharing/caring time amongst the boys in the naked communal baths/onsen. Will have to try and sneak in for a photo tomorrow.

Japanese cuisine has been oishi (delicious)! Standard issue consists of ramen of some variety, pork/red bean buns and curry of some variety. Taste tested the local lavender ice cream today .... interesting flavour.



Had dinner at an konomiyaki place, owned by the sweetest Japanese man. is an avid collector of all things American e.g. Star Wars, Coca Cola, McDonald's drive through signs etc. He was the most gracious host. He told us that we made him very happy. If only he knew how happy he made me.




Although Anpanman (everybody thinks he's ugly too Bec) has made a big play, I can't dismiss my old sentimental favourite ... PEKO!



Oh and Mindy, everybody reckons this stranger in this photo looks like you ...