Make no mistake Japan is a different sort of place. For even the most jaded of world traveler there is a certain amount of culture shock involved with a visit to Tokyo. It isn’t the sort of Outer Mongolia culture shock where you are dining on goat testicles for evening tea – this is a more subtle sort of cultural experience. Take for example the act of shopping. Sounds simple enough and I thought it would be too until I stepped into the fray and decided to buy a t-shirt. Now remember that almost no one here in Tokyo speaks English. It isn’t the sort of Parisian attitude where they choose not to speak it – nope, they don’t have a clue. So any sort of exchange for a non Japanese speaker involves a lot of hand movements, bowing (always lots of bowing) and muddling along until both sides are understood.
So back to my t-shirt. I was looking through this trendy sort of menswear shop and was having a great laugh at the t-shirt designs. Writing on shirts is the big thing at the moment, either in English or in Japanese. Some of the English ones are great, as they are prime examples of “Jenglish” or “Eng-rish” yes the words are in English, but they may not quite belong together. Take the first shirt I decided to get, it says, “I like sunshine.” I mean who doesn’t like a nice day? But on a t-shirt? It was ironic/cool enough for me. The second shirt had a line of Japanese characters on it. When I was buying it I asked the shop guy what they meant. In his extremely broken English he said that it says something like goldfish farm, but it made no sense. He had a good laugh.
The new Bump Of Chicken CD is great - trust me!
All of a sudden everything fell into place – the English shirts don’t make sense, the japanese shirts don’t make sense – does anything make sense? Japan is the sort of place where sometimes things don’t make sense at all, but everyone just smiles to themselves and keeps on trucking.
After we went through the process of paying came the part of the transaction where he hands me the shirts. Every where else in the world they would just fire the shirts into a bag and toss it to you as you were on your way. But not here, not by a long shot. Step one was to fold the shirts with a level of precision not seen since The Gap circa 1993. Second the shirts are inserted into the bag with the care of someone transferring the Queen’s soufflé. Then the bag is stood upright (it was a snazzy paper number with ornate cord handles) and taped shut with special tape. Then, as it was raining, a second plastic bag is put over the first paper one like a little raincoat. Then the shop attendant takes the bag with both hands, walks around the counter to me, hands it to me and bows deeply. I have purchased cars with less fanfare then these two, $20 t-shirts! You gotta love this place!
More to come – the next instalment is all about food! Cheers Scott
So what is the smallest room you’ve ever stayed in? That crappy dorm in college? The sleeper car on a train? Or what about that closet that was your first apartment? Well I guarantee that they were down right palatial compared to where I’m bunking down in Tokyo right now. I’m staying in a place called The Capsule Inn in central Tokyo and it is by far the most unique place I have ever stayed – and I’ve stayed in a lot of places! The Capsule Inn looks more like the sleeping pods out of a science fiction movie or perhaps a high-tech morgue. You check in downstairs and then proceed up to the second floor where you put all of your stuff into a locker. You put on your complimentary robe and then head up into the elevator again to one of the 5 floors of rooms. On your floor there is a room with about 20 capsule units, two layers high. Each ‘room’ is 1 meter wide, x 1 meter high x 2 meters long. I’m not a big guy, but I’m squashed into this thing! But it isn’t just a bed – oh no there’s more. In the capsule there is a TV, radio, shelf, mirror, wifi, alarm clock and light. It’s like the best couch cushion fort in history. Perhaps the best part, beyond the utter bazaarness is the price – at 4000 yen (or about $35 US) it’s the cheapest place in town by a long shot! Have a look at these pics and the video for a personalized tour. And next time you're in Tokyo be sure to stay here for the night – travel is all about unique experiences and this hotel is most definitely one of those!
Rachel Ray – she’s everywhere, even here in New Zealand we get to see her cooking up a storm on daytime TV. The way that she can grate cheese onto nachos, and to think to add tomatoes to a salad – genius. A little while ago I heard that she was actually endorsing Dunkin Doughnuts – now that goes beyond sell-out in my books, this is like NASCAR sticker-shock sell out sort of stuff. There is enough refined sugar in a doughnut to put an Olympian onto a Type 2 coma. This is the sort of rubbish that is killing the next generation and she is best palls with their mama’s. Pretty bad if you ask me. But all of a sudden I find myself strangely supportive of Ms. Ray – perhaps it was when she was accused of being an Islamic fundamentalist. Not Rachel, NO! Maybe Martha, but not Rach! Checkout this add and see the whole story – this, by the way is the first time that Fox News has featured on my blog, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not…
Those of you who have traveled to the Middle East know that this sort of scarf is a standard sort of article of clothing. Think of it like a sweatshirt, a baseball cap or trousers – not some sort of symbolic uniform. The ignorance is truly astonishing - the fact that people in the 21st century can be that judgemental just over a scarf is one of the most saddening things I’ve heard in a long time. It wasn’t even an authentic keffiyeh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keffiyeh) but just some paisley scarf borrowed from the make-up girl.
Don’t let fools like this drive a wedge between us all – the one thing that I always tell people is that the more you travel and the more people you meet from around the world, the more you realize not how different we all are, but how the similar we are. Everyone wants peace, security, a happy family, a place to live and the chance to laugh. While we may look different, speak a different language, live in a different homeland - we aren’t that different from each other. Seeing what we have in common is what will bring peace - so you wear you scarf Rachel, and if you offend some right-wing, jingoistic, ignorant assholes I’m right there with you, doughnuts and all.
Happy Friday Blogland – to kick off your weekend I thought I’d pass along two photographs – an old one and a new one. This first image was taken about 10 years ago in Maple Canyon, Utah. The climber is my fiend Houston who was climbing really hard at the time. It was a fun one to take, dangling from a rope 25m above the deck, changing film (remember film?) and lenses making sure I didn’t drop any of it!
The second shot was taken a couple of days ago in the Port Hills near Christchurch. Great mountain biking to say the least – this image was shot digitally, an is in fact a self portrait!
This is the first segment in a series of posts about inspirational characters. Heroes can come in many forms; mentors that teach and guide, mythic giants that inspire and those with the strength of spirit to lead from the front with a quiet dignity. The first in the series fits into all of these categories with ease and has been an inspiration to climbers, environmentalists and business-geeks since the 1960’s.
Yvon Chouinard – Yosemite pioneer, stone-master, outdoor equipment innovator, Patagonia founder, blacksmith, writer, activist and philosopher. YC has broken the mould on how to be a successful outdoorsman, businessman and a leader in a field of alpha-male mavericks. He’s created a company that builds products that last, not just till the next season’s collection comes out, but last a lifetime. I have a Patagonia shirt that I’ve worm weekly for 15 years and it still looks good as new. He’s proven that a business can be environmentally sustainable AND profitable. He pays his staff to take time off and work for environmental action groups. He climbs. He goes fly fishing. He surfs. He’s transformed corporate environmentalism from some fringe hippy-idea to something that will actually make a difference (have a look at 1% for the planet some time) and on top of all that he understands the importance of having fun, seeing the world and getting the most out of life.
Have a look at this video and see for yourself. Cheers, Scott
Oprah, who doesn’t like Oprah? Well I’m more of a Dr. Phil man myself, but I’m sure you’ve heard of the lady. The other day on the news was a little, feel-good-end-the-doom-and-gloom-with-a-smile story that was all about how Oprah does this thing where she talks all about her favourite things and then gives everyone in the audience one of each. People go apeshit, screaming like their children have been given that fresh kidney they need to keep alive. Really over the top sort of stuff, but it got me to thinking, what are my favourite things at the moment? What is inspiring me, entertaining me or just making me smile? So without further delay, I will pass on my list of things in the hope of paying the inspiration forward…
1. Liam Finn – Liam’s new album is amazing and his live performance is even better. Good genes I guess – his dad is Neil Finn, the man behind Crowded House, Split Enz and the Finn Brothers.
2. Shihad – This Kiwi bands new album, “Beautiful Machine” is great, it’s a real departure in the sense that it is less heavy and more melodic then their previous efforts. A real high water mark for sure, check out the track, “One will hear the other.”
3. Little TV sets on airplanes – they are becoming more and more frequently found on long haul flights and are the best thing since free booze. If you haven’t seen them before, it’s a little TV that is mounted in the seat in front of you where you have a choice of hundreds of program options all on demand. To have the freedom to watch what you want, when you want to and not have to strain to look at some micro-screen 10 rows up to see the latest Mr. Bean slice of crap is awesome.
4. Hotel So – this new hotel in Christchurch is great. Minimalist design with all the modern conveniences that a traveler really demands. Free wifi, super-cool design to the rooms and oozing with style. Be sure to spend the night next time you are in CHCH. http://www.hotelso.co.nz/Home
5. Moleskin Notebooks – One of these little leather-bound notebooks is always in my pocket. I use them when I’m on the road for work to research a destination and I always just have one close at hand for when inspiration or practicality strikes.
6. Timex Expedition Watch – simple, tough, retro-military style and cool. I love mine and wouldn’t give it up for anything.
7. GPS technology – as a cartographer and frequently nearly lost adventurer I love my GPS. It’s so cool to know exactly where you are all the time.
8. Bravo Two Zero By: Andy McNab – a great book about an amazing story. Caught behind enemy lines in Gulf War 1, pursued, captured and endured the un-endurable. I think of this story when I’m in a race or on a long run to remember that no matter how tough it gets, you can always endure more and this is nothing compared to what those guys went through.
10. Lock-on Mountain Bike grips – grips are grips right? Wrong. Forget peeling, stretching and cursing to get these grips off and on. Simply loosen the clamps at either end and slide them off. So simple, how did it take this long to think of it?
11. K2 Extreme Skis – in the mid 1990’s K2 Extremes were the skis of choice. Names like Scot Schmidt, Glen Plake & Mike Hattrip used them and inspired a generation. Now K2 has re-launched tem after 10plus years of retirement. The shape, specs, and everything is all new and improved but the graphics are the same as the old ones. It brought me right back and I almost bought a pair out of nostalgia alone…
12. iPods – you may have heard of this one. They’ve become pretty popular – to say the least. But can you imagine a world without them? I can’t and I don’t want to.
13. Good headphones – the white ones you get with your iPod are crap. Do yourself a favour and get a good pair and actually hear what the music is supposed to sound like.
14. The Dirtbag Diaries – this podcast is great, the insights into the outdoor world are spot on and the weekly narrative is extremely well done. I’m a big fan and I’m sure after a listen you will be too. http://www.dirtbagdiaries.com/
15. Banksie – Graf-artist extraordinaire, check out a previous blog posting on this site for more info and pics – he/she’s the man.
16. Radiohead – I love their music, but I love their attitude even more. They let you pay whatever you wanted for their latest album and when the record company wanted to put out a greatest hits album they didn’t want to because they didn’t think any of their songs were hits.
17. La Sportiva Fire Blade Shoes – I love my trail runners, they are holding up so well after heaps and heaps of wear. No stretching or sign of early death. Nice.
18. Orikaso – camp cook wear that you fold together like origami – practical and fun. 19. Pearl Jam’s live CD’s – for their upcoming tour the band is going to sell live bootlegs of the shows for $10 each online after each show. As much live music as you want, for cheap. http://www.pearljam.com/
20. Converse Chuck Taylor lowtops – classic. Enough said. 21. Olympus 750 Digital camera – it’s waterproof (I’ve taken mine snorkelling), crash proof, scratch proof and tough as nails. 7.1 mpx and about the size of a deck of cards. I take mine everywhere and I'm always stoked with the pic quality 22. Eats, Shoots and Leaves By: Lynn Truss – a book about punctuation that’s actually a good read? You bet, it’s a great laugh and you just might learn something along the way.
23. Zanzibar – this island off the coast of Tanzania, Africa is an amazing spot. Primo beaches, stunning architecture, interesting people all add up to a place that will always be high on my must-go-back-to list.
24. This Ikea Commercial –
25. i like watching people who are relaxed, chilled out and dignified...
26. and finally, this video. one picture every day for six years - wow
sorry there isn't some big gift in the mail - but feel free to leave comments on what you like, don't like, what i missed out on and what's inspiring you at the moment.
Greetings from Christchurch – today was a great day, checking out the local biking here in the city. I combined three full-day rides into one monster 80km grand tour. A cruisey peddle through the parks, a circuit of hills and beaches and a big slog to the summit of the Port Hills and a wicked singletrack descent. It all added up to a wicked day in the fresh air and sunshine. To say that I’m knackered now is a wee bit of an understatement! It’s been a fantastic research trip so far – I’ll leave you with a few images from the South Island, and I’m off to bed! Cheers, Scott
Here’s a quick video update from the road, or rather the mountain bike track as it were.
Have fun out there, Scott
Ps. Check out the new, “where in the world is Scott” feature over on the right-hand side of the screen (those viewing this page in a reader may need to click on the post and go to the actual site) – it’s a great way to see where I am in the world. Pretty self explanatory actually…
I’ve done some odd things in my days, I’ve rock climbed on fake mountains inside of gymnasiums all over the world, I’ve surfed waves on an indoor wave pool in Canada and I’ve checked out an indoor ski hill in Dubai. But I never thought I’d climb a frozen waterfall inside a coffee shop with music playing, spectators watching from the viewing window and dressed in cargo’s and a hoodie. Well I did it, and it was a little bit strange and a lot of fun.
I’m on the road at the moment researching Cycling New Zealand for LP and I came upon this new addition to the west coast of the south island and just had to give it a go. They kitted me up with double boots, crampons, a harness, brain bucket and a set of ice tools and let me loose into the “ice-room”. Imagine the worlds largest freezer that’s about ten years past due for a de-frost. The walls are 10meters high and every inch is plastered with real ice – this isn’t some techno marvel of the 21st century, just lots and lots of shaved ice plastered to the walls. The climbs range from low angle romps, full of punched out steps right up to overhanging – yes overhanging, enduro test pieces.
I clipped into a toprope and gave a gently overhanging route a nudge. The ice was remarkably solid and in lovely plastic condition. Never had I thought when I woke up this morning that I’d by cranking an ice roof, dressed to go for a coffee with Jamiroquai blasting on the hi-fi. A few delicate moves followed by a few burly manly-man pulls and I was at the top – great fun.
It’s hard to be surprised in this country when it comes to adventure activities – Kiwi’s did after all invent bungy jumping, river surfing, jet-boating, zorbing and they’ve refined rope swinging, heli-rafting, tandem skydiving and all sorts of other pursuits guaranteed to get the heart pumping. The irony is of course that this new indoor ice climbing wall is located at Franz Joseph a five minute drive from one of the largest glaciers in the country that comes to rest a 20 minute walk from the highway. Perhaps they are well ahead of the climate change curve – when the glaciers melt, it will be even more of a novelty!
Well you’ll have to forgive my lack of posts over the past week, but its back to busy times in my world. Amongst all of the filled days there is many an exciting tidbit to report on. I’m seconds away from hitting the road to start researching Cycling New Zealand for Lonely Planet. It’s going to be a great book for all sorts of reasons – both personal and professional. It’s a great excuse to get out and amongst my adopted home of NZ and scratch under the surface of some top destinations. Add onto that the prospect of getting to spend a good stack of time on the bike and it starts to verge on the “I can’t believe I get paid for this” territory. but before you start cursing me with the jealous rage you reserve for celebrity look-alikes and pro hockey players, remember that I do have to write the longest ever “what I did on my summer vacation” essay in history – 160,000 words is a lot, no matter how you spin it…
Also creeping up into the subconscious is the next trip over the sea – in just 3 short weeks I’m off to Japan! I wish I could say that I’m staying for a lengthy adventure, but this is a fleeting in-transit visit. I’ve got a week in country to eat sushi, ride bullet trains, look at big temples, feel really tall, sing karaoke and get lost amongst some pretty other worldly culture. Should be tops – and fear not I’ll be sure to spill the details on my cultural shocking experience – I may keep the karaoke to myself, but we’ll just have to see…
Japan is a stop off on the way to Canada – I’ll be in the great white north for the month of July – checking out the Stampede, visiting the fam and getting a second helping of summer (actually, it’s about my 4th in the past year, but who’s counting!).
With all this on the radar you’d think that I’d be running like a headless chicken around the show – but I’ve actually had the go-slows for the past few days. On Saturday I competed in a fantastic adventure race with my frequent adventure co-conspirator, Christian Martin. The race was a 12hour Rogaine event – for those not in the know, a Rogaine is a cross between orienteering and a scavenger hunt. You are given a topographical map with checkpoints marked on it. To help you find the checkpoints you are given a cryptic-crossword style clue to help you zero in on the exact location. All that’s left to do is cover the ground on foot and find the checkpoints, recording the codeword that’s printed at each stop along the way. Although it sounds easy, it’s the mileage and more accurately the elevation between the points that really adds up. The race lasts 12 hours and you can choose what checkpoints you go to, what route you take and how fast you travel. There is no way that a single team could possibly get to all the points, so there is a certain amount of strategy involved.
We gave it a good nudge and ran, climbed, huffed and puffed for the full 12 hours and were more then a bit excited for the clock to strike 9pm and call it done. Great day out in the mountains – despite the near zero temperature at night (yes, half the race was in the pitch dark) and the seemingly endless array of hills that we had to climb. We’re already looking forward to the NZ Rogaine championships in November, the Kepler Challenge Ultra-off-road-Marathon in December and some other long term goals that I’m not going to reveal just yet – watch this space!
Take it easy out there and remember these rather fitting words…
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did...So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain
18. Orikaso – camp cook wear that you fold together like origami – practical and fun.
Cheers
