Welcome to Gaia! ::

redvines are lies.

What's black black?

I wish I could zero, but I am unable.

They sound a little bitter.

The gum. I could use some coffee about now.

Black Black is sold in the states. I picked it up from Fugetsu Do in Little Tokyo. I'm pretty sure that Marukai, Nijiya, and an assortment of stores in that area carry the stuff. As for it's color, it's more gray, than black. I saw a commercial for it on YouTube (in Japanese of course) and had assumed it was an energy gum and probably flavored like licorice. It's not. While it is an energy gum, it tastes like some of the strongest mint I've ever had and actually kinda burns. ^_^;; I'd recommend it for kicks, but I doubt anyone would get hooked on it.

Little Tokyo is, most likely, nothing whatsoever like it's parent city. There are no school girls, electronic stores, and tanukis with giant testicles causing mischief. Instead, it is a small community of about five square blocks consisting almost entirely of retired immigrants and shopkeepers.

There is a very definite history behind the area which is backed by it's own version of Japanese culture (hey, where else can you find a fire tower inside a mall?). There are three main shopping centers. The center which most people gravitate towards is the Japanese Village Plaza which has an attached two story mall. The center consists mostly of restaurants, but the Nijiya grocery store, Tokyo Outlet store, offices including the local newspaper, and--the once great Mecca for anime nerds in the area--Anime Jungle also fill out the center.

The Weller Court is also popular. The Asian grocery store giant of Southern California, Marukai Market, does heavy business here as well as the national chain of bookstores, Kinokuniya (which is half manga). Several restaurants dot the three story open-air mall, more focusing on curry than others.

There is also the Little Tokyo Square Shopping Center, which has been left in disrepair. This indoor mall houses the largest grocery store in the area which is housed on the lower level, followed by two additional floors of tiny restaurants. Sadly, with no younger crowd left in the area and with the current economic situation, the mall is mostly bare save the few businessmen meeting for lunch. There is, however, a dollar store on the lower level which holds great interest to me.

Most of the area is, obviously, driven by the income of the local restaurants. Sadly, I have only been to three, but that is because I find myself consistently going back to a little shop called Mr. Ramen, which is north of the Japanese Village. I became a dedicated patron on my first visit five years ago. I've tried almost everything on the menu from their curry shrimp ramen, to their yakitori bento boxes, to their hot sake. Everything is good... which the exception of the fried chicken ramen. Do yourself a favor and skip that on the menu.

The desert shops are worth checking out. I usually stop at the boba shop, which serves the best boba slushes I've ever had. There is also the Yamazaki bakery which serves breads, cakes, cream puffs, cookies, and a variety of other items. Sadly, their cookies aren't the greatest, but they make a mean cheesecake. Recently, a pair of frozen yogurt shops have popped up. They're good, but they don't offer anything terribly unique.

Aside from shopping, there are at least three Buddhist temples in the area, the largest of which has a garden. There is also a theater where they have anything from award ceremonies to movie festivals to traditional plays. Two hotels as well as trinket shops and many hidden offices fill in the gaps. Also, dotted about the area are several works of art including statues and paintings which focus on everything from Japanese ancestry to the historic past of the area.

Generally, the area is safe. However, there is a homeless population that will sometimes wander in from the fabled Skid Row just a block away. When night falls, they get pushy and it's best not to travel alone. Aside from that, everyone is usually polite and keeps to themselves, save the occasional annoying white person. Crowds are usually uncommon, but it can turn into a Wal-Mart shopping trip. Get to used to being touched on your side if you're someone who blocks foot traffic as seniors will do this rather than say "Excuse me."

Things to remember!: If you plan to visit often, tip well. The locals don't live very luxurious or materialistic life styles, but they still want to provide for their families and their shops running. They also tend to repay kindness in favor. When you eat, remember not to place your chopsticks or utensils in your food when you're not eating. It's considered rude. Also, don't act like a loud Gaijin. You'll get dirty looks for disturbing the peace.

So, be as respectful as I'd be when I was in all the asian countries. Can do! It's funny; in Japan and some other countries, they consider it an extreme insult to tip, as it could hint that they need it to improve.

That also explains what Marukai market is. There's one down the street from me; I just thought it was a restaurant of some sort. And I've been to 4 Kinokuniyas! One in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Dubai, of all places! Don't remember if there was one in South Korea though. The manga sections overseas were about the size of any manga section you'd expect from a bookstore the size of a wal-mart.

I should've bought international mangas.

It was kind of dulled by the 5 thousand others on our ship, all going to the same cities, getting sloppy drunk (mostly) and acting like complete jackasses. I'm gonna visit Japan again, once I get my passport, and have the moneys, and not in the navy anymore!

I also want to visit Germany. My dad was there during 'Nam, and he said it was awesome!!! Especially the sausage!

You see, after a ship with over 5000 people on it finally pull into a port after a month or so of nothing, the first thing they usually want is booze. Whether it be beer, liquor, etc., they drink in excess, and are therefore sloppy as f***. If you remember when Shinobu or Naru from Love Hina got drunk, it'd be like that, but with old guys and whatnot.

And this is not something you'd want to do in Singapore. Cause of the lady-boys.