In Fukuoka

After a 6 hour trip....

I roam around Hakata eki until my friend arrives. I was in the search of a public phone, restroom, and melon pan.  Usually finding a public phone in Japan is not to difficult but dam was I on the hunt for public phone. Found one but I couldn't say the same for the restroom.

As I went about my way looking around. I overheard a group of teenagers chanting. It turned out they were volunteering to get funding for the earthquake victims. I donated what I could and shot footage of them. They were very happy to pose for the camera.

I searched several conbini for melon pan until I found something that looked similar to it. It didn't read melon pan but I chanced it and asked the cashier if it was melon pan, and he gave it a look like IDKWTF this is! I bought it anyway, maybe it was the fact I hadn't eaten in half a day but that pan was freaking delicious.

Afterwards I met with my friend Ayako and she helped me find the restrooms. Now this mens bathroom puts some of the art work I seen in the museum of fine arts to shame. The design was so beautiful I felt like I was pissing on a work of art. I'm gonna have to secretly take a photo of that rest room one day. (i did a few days later)

We hopped in a sweet looking white compact Honda. Fukuoka seemed like a big city but not as busy as Tokyo. We headed to my friend's parents home and dam this place was one of the most amazing homes I ever entered. Absolutely beautiful. When she gave me a tour I felt like I was on Japan MTV cribs. I wish I was better at articulating architecture so I can give you a visual of it. Marble floor from the outside, beautiful wooden floors, a restroom with a toilet and fountain that was automatic. I guess there are no arguments about keeping the toilet seat down in that home. Bedrooms the size of most peoples apartments and sexy leather couches in the living room.

I dropped my stuff off and we headed out to a izakaya and onsen. At the izakaya (google that) I had one of the best meals ever and my first official Japanese meal. The place was called Maru and I highly recommend it if your in Fukuoka. The place makes me feel as though i went back to Japan in a time before foreigners. It had this very family owned business kind of feel and the server and cook were very kind and welcoming. I even joked to her about adopting me. Best onigiri I ever had!

Off to the onsen. There's something about being in the onsen that is so relaxing. At first you may confuse it for a hot tub but the outcome and feeling of it is out of this hemisphere. Laying in the onsen I felt all my fears, worries, stress, and anger seeping away from my body. I believe I was finally ready to have my first night of sleep at that moment.