Heros along the way...

So keeping my promise, let's jump into the friends I had made so far on the Japan jorney though life; Colorado Becca, Indiana Jay, Kiwi Jon, and the Polyglot Idaho. Idaho at the time was a lumbering soft spoken soul with a deep voice that hit like a frieght train. You don't expect it but he was an introvert hiding behind a frame a 6'5 frame in a hoodie standing in Tokyo not talking to anyone. We connected over jokes about getting out of the hotel and seeing the town. I started off going to dinner with two vegetarians and it didn't end well so I walked back to the hotel and ran into Idaho who was chilling in the lobby by himself staring outside like a kid who was told to stay close and not wander off. I asked him how he was doing and if he wanted to go bar hop with me since I missed the crowd, he relectuantly agreed and the adventure was off. We talked about why were on JET and what life had in store for us, I said, "New Orleans was great for college but there was no opportunity for me there, I felt stiffled and placed in a box. I was a Business Major and didn't have the connections to get it rolling in Louisiana. Japan is a fresh start and I have dreamed of being back for a lot of my younger years." Idaho smiled and said something in German, and I was shocked as he switched to Spanish, then French, and finally, "Jay, I am walking around with 7 languages under my belt, and I went through college single. I am hoping to find what I have been missing." I smiled back, "Hey man, no tellign what this evening has in store for us, but let's figure out where we can get a nice drink." We walked around Shinjiku and found a hip hop lounge hybrid bar. The door guy gave me dap and I am was impressed. He knew I wasn't expecting it, "I lived in Los Angeles for 6 years, welcome brother!" Alright Japan has some down to earth people. The lounge had a dance floor in the corner and people at the bar. There was a woman at the bar taking sarcastic one liners at people in the corner in different languages, I ignored her but Idaho didn't. I found a seat at the bar, ordered a drink, and enjoyed the music. Idaho and the woman kept tossing shots at each other and naturally I told him to scoot down the bar and handle his business. They had traded jabs in Japanese, German, Spanish, French, and a few other languages as the evening was winding down. I struck out, wasn't really worried about it. When 2AM hit I asked him if he was ready to crawl back to the hotel, he promptly said, "I'm good. I'll see you later on." So without stepping on toes I jetted back to the hotel, quitely crawled into bed, my roommate wasn't back yet. So I closed my eyes and was impressed that Idaho went from nervous to holding his own. 

At Breakfast...Yeah about last night...

I haven't met any of my other friends yet (This was before we left for Kumamoto)  I was tired but making it to breakfast. The Keio Plaza is a top notch hotel by international standards and navigating it was a challenge, but when I found the buffet I didn't see Idaho anywhere. Even his roommate I met said, "he didn't come in last night, his stuff is still here." I told the roommate he met a woman at the lounge and his roommate was stumped. So we ate, traded stories about landing in Japan and the never ending bus ride from Narita to the Hotel. Our backgrounds were as different as life could be, someone said, "I need a smoke before we sit for 3 hours, meet you all outside." I don't smoke but wouldn't mind seeing the front of the hotel in the daylight and walked outside. Seeing a cab pull up, we were all shocked to see Idaho and the woman from the lounge sharing a cab. He gets out, "Morning Gents, came to get my clothes, I'll see you in the afternoon session." We didn't get a chance to get a word in! Our jaws were on the ground in a celebratory silence. That was the last time I would see him until Kobe at the recontracting conference. His smile was golden like someone had just got the best gift ever from life and he was glowing with it. 

Kobe looking for Mr. Potato...

After the opening ceremony I realized everyone from southern Japan (Ehime, Kansai) and down to Okinawa including me were in the building. I was stoked! I had just got my internet at the apartment setup, my cellphone was empty, and I was looking for my crew. So I saw my group from Kumamoto at our tables, and I saw Becca and a few others, but no Idaho. So once we were released I was working the room asking people if they knew him or had seen him. Once guy said, "He's not a potato anymore mate, someone dragged him to the gym and got him sculpted!" 

I didn't know what that ment. Granted 6'5 and stocky wasn't obsese to me, just he had a gut and had some room to slim down. Everyone from his preferecture had the same or similar story about his weight loss journey and he was sporting some fancy engagement ring. After an hour of meeting other JET's and enjoying the evening I bumped into him coming from outside. "Idaho!" He turned around, "Jay!" and we hugged. Laughed for a minute and then I took it in he was cut, like dropped the beer gut, shaved his beard, his suit was cut to fight his frame, and his confidence could light up the evening. "What happened man? You look great!" Then he showed me the ring, "I'm engaged to the lady from Tokyo!" Talk about being hit twice my eyes were wide, "wait! What! Seriously?!" He smiled. 

Hey, you'll want to sit down for this one! What happened in 3 months?!

Remember I met him in August, this end of Fall going into Winter in Kobe. So think a nice October but warm. "Idaho you're damn near ripped! What happened that night?" 

"None of your business."

"Not that part, but like we saw you that morning and you didn't say nothing."

"We spent the rest of the evening at a cafe close to her place." 

"Alright, but that was August, help me out here."

"Short version, she works for a Bank, she's originally from Osaka, but her main office in is Tokyo, she has an office in Osaka. in Tokyo she has a luxury condo and at home she has a house."

"Not her resume man, the other part, what happened to you?!"

"She has been flying down to see me once or twice a month to spend time together, and after the third or fourth time she laid it out, single, over 25, and wanted a serious relationship. The hang ups were not too many salarymen in Japan speak 5 languages and aren't chasing life, they're chasing careers and corporate titles. She likes me, but she said before I can take the title of boyfriend the weight has to come off."

"Ouch, alright, but from August to now what changed?!"

"She has a friend who is a former rugby player who is a personal trainer who opened a gym in my area, he started showing up at my door at 6AM saying 'It's time to die and be reborn a new man!" He literally dragged me out of bed and I went running with him. I was dying for the first couple of weeks. I couldn't keep up. Then I started getting up earlier to sneak out, he was waiting for me. On weekends we went to the gym. That became the routine."

"Talk about investments...damn...I need to lose some weight. It's great to hear this, but what else is going on?" 

"She got permission to work remotely by opening up a micro office at the bank's branch in my (area) prefecture. She has me on a diet plan and we run together."

"So since I last saw you it's been weird. Hurricane Katrina hit home, haven't heard from everyone yet, and I met some awesome neighbors and life has been a quiet challenge."

"Same here, minus the hurricane, I am just adjusting to her plan. I am excited and nervous at the same time.'

"What do you mean?"

"She said; I got money, I have houses, condos, cooks, drivers, but not a husband. Once you are done with JET, we can settle down, travel the world. She wants kids and I said I don't mind being a stay at home Dad. Then she said you don't get off that Easy sir. I have to be working or her parents will protest the idea of her marrying a foreigner, start a business, keep teaching, do something that keeps you focused and driven, not sitting at home getting fat."

"Alright fair, but how is your school situation?"

"My middle school students want to play rugby with me on top of running with the track kids. Not to mention my High School kids take up a lot of time too." 

"That's the life, I am doing Kendo."

"Don't rush getting married man, you have a whole life ahead of you. Just enjoy the moment."

With that Idaho got into another cab and that was the last time I saw him. A once in a lifetime moment that became a memory of inspiration. Japan was a learning experience. Kobe is a magical place. I came back in 2006 to connect with my Japanese Friend from College. Everytime I go to Kobe I think of my first time, Indiana Jay and I had Kobe Beef together for the frist time, walked through the seemlingly endless Arcades (open air malls) and enjoyed the journey. The city of Kobe has something for everyone with a rich vibrant tapestry of culture, history, views, nature, and tall buildings all woven in together that is just breath taking. Everytime I get off the train I realize I am older, wiser, and I need to take advantage of having every adventure I can. The big thing I realized about Japan from being in Kobe is that every station is a community hub, designed to be a one stop shop. Sannomiya station is no exception, live music events, a movie theater, tons of resturants, walking distance to a bus terminal, monorail, a mall inside itself, access to the subway, and then walking distance to Sannomiya Center Gai shopping arcade. 

The first picture below is my favorite part of the mall, a indoor park with open air so I can enjoy the world but be in a quiet corner from it. I watched it rain here, I watched susnets here and loved the breeze coming down from the mountains. I know there is a snack machine around the corner, and adventures across the way. This mall is unmatched in my soul.

I loved the coaches more than the English Teachers (Common Theme)...

I prefer blunt and kind people and the Athletic Coaches were my people. I found that I enjoyed teaching and connecting with the kids. Learning the moments shared would transcend my career. Listening and being open to hopes and dreams. Laughing over music clashes, bad haircuts, and what did Americans really eat versus south Texas or New Orleans cuisine. Too bad I couldn't cook back then or I would have made them all tacos. 

However the coaches were my heroes, one day I lost the key to my bike and was walking then Naruse sensei (Kendo Coach) gave me a ride home then picked me up the next morning. Or when Kawasaki Sensei (The gent with me at the bottom) took me from a Judo Tournament to get Speed Ramen at a down to earth shop in Fukuoka out by the docks. I enjoy the martial arts so I split time between Kendo and Judo, some off days with the Rugby guys and the music club somewhat. My mandatory days were with the English Club, my babies through and through and we all had fun.