On The Island

Well, Japan is almost over and I will miss the experience. With only 5 weeks left out of the 466 or so shows total in Japan I am still pounding the body to push to the extreme limits. I began with Tokyo and finished in Tokyo. I would have to say it's been quite a successful run. At times I found Japan to be completely safe and trusting.
I remember the fear I felt when I arrived the first day in Tokyo praying that God would be with me. Being so many miles away from my family for the first time in my life was also foremost in my mind. Then I experienced my first Earthquake that caused some light-headedness, ear-aches and headaches.
 Then to Fukuoka where enjoying a meal of sashimi served on the bottom of a carved lobster wasn't all the enjoyment it was cracked up to be. I realized my food was moving. "AHHH", I screamed jumping up from the table, so frightened tears filled my eyes. I was with my Hard Rock Café friends which I now miss hanging out with after the long work days. Oh, and then another earthquake, the biggest Earthquake in Fukuoka for 100 years. The seven point two Earthquake really shook things up and kept us moving weeks after with its 4-5 point shakes daily. Also, the terrible flu I experienced in Fukuoka putting me out of the show for a few days. I never felt so sick with dizziness and fever.
 
To Gifu, Nagoya where traveling 500 miles to work required coffee every morning. Okay, more like 45 minutes to work, but still, how much can a person take before they are taking small commuter planes to work just to make show call? Soon my mother visited and we experienced new sushi plates and so-chu (a very strong sake drink). Such a quite and peaceful place to live. People were friendly and I even could order Pizza Hut getting by with a few Japanese words I've learned. Riding bikes with Jason to work was fun and interesting when my handle bars got stuck and sent me flying into a bush nearby. Gifu Castle was such a beautiful sight. I got great pictures. As far as the eye could see Gifu was a clean and peaceful setting. I had a movie night with a friend, who would venture into another Cirque Du Soleil show in the near future. We discussed his plans, hopes and dreams.
 
Osaka, can we say the word L-O-N-G? Three and half months in the city that never sleeps (for Japan)! Pachinko was a huge game played in Osaka, kind of like the slot machines in Las Vegas. People would line up as far as the eye could see in the mornings just to get the same machine as the night before in hopes of hitting. So noisy with the people screaming Japanese words to get you to come eat or shop. Many marketers would send their co-workers out on the streets to hand out flyers and tissues. While you passed them, they would literally hit you or scratch you with the flyers. Others would hop on their bikes and with out looking, pull out into traffic and run you over. I do remember me trying to pass out plastic umbrella bags, which people actually took and thanked me for. It was two trains to work and we were the last stop on the line at Cosmo square. Oh, how could I forget the torturous bed bugs? Yes, BED BUGS! Disgusting, I know.
 
 Now, in Tokyo 2 the bed bugs are about gone and I am having a great time. It's nice to wake up and know where you're going and to see familiar things again. People here are so serious and more business-like than in Osaka. It's hard to crack a smile when making faces at someone. Good room service with meal coupons. And if you save up enough you can treat yourself to the steak house in the gardens. It's the best steak meal I think a person could have in their life if you like meat. There has been an epidemic of flu and colds going around and it's been a rough couple of weeks for the show. Many back -ups were called in to do new positions.

 Now that it's coming to an end I think I will miss some things about Japan. How easy it is to travel shop and eat some good sushi. The emotional people and fans that watch our show would watch more than a hundred times just to see the magic once more. Some great people I met along the way with hearts of gold. Feeling beaten up from the 466 shows I can now relax to know I will have a month break with my family very soon, and not to mention home for the holidays.
 
 I walk home knowing my last day was finished with many smiles and impressions that will last a lifetime. I look at my sports wear and smell the spaghetti smell left over from the kitchen. I will miss Harajuku and many other places in Japan, but one thing for sure I had a good dose of Japan to last me a very long time.