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Ever since our scouting mission to China back in April/May we’ve been a bit busy and living in separate countries, but haven’t abandoned hope of taking holiday together as a means of getting away and getting together for some much needed fun.
Initially we were hoping to visit to Europe and wander cobblestone streets, ride bikes, and sit in quiet cafes along the riverside sipping tea and eating pastries, but trying to coordinate flights between the two of us proved more challenging than we anticipated.
Every time we thought we had something mapped out, tickets either sold out, soared in price, or the airlines had us rerouted with some truly horrendous layovers. If we had approval a few weeks ago, we might have a different story, but some times in life you have to adjust your plans.
So where could we go on such short notice?
Oddly enough the best option turned out to be a familiar one…Cambodia.
Cambodia, didn’t you two already visit there on your honeymoon?
Yes, but in all fairness we were only there for two plus days and have always wanted to return. I suppose it’s hard to explain, but Cambodia is one of the few countries on earth where you can feel every possible human emotion in the span of a short time and to an incredibly powerful degree. You find yourself awestruck, haunted, and enchanted all at the same time.
This time we will start out in Phnom Penh and venture back to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap for a better look. To be honest we only spent one day there the last time and only scratched the surface of what remains one of the world’s hidden wonders.
So with visas, malaria meds, and a ton of sunscreen we’re heading back!
With the Swallows out of town and rain in the forecast you would think I’d need to find another source of amusement this weekend outside of baseball?
What some might consider a problem, I saw as a challenge.
About an hour northwest of central Tokyo in Saitama, the Seibu Lions play in perhaps what is one of the strangest stadiums in all of sports. At the same time they also happen to have a pretty good ballclub, but are fighting to make the playoffs this year after winning the Japan Series last year.
It was at that time I first took notice of the team, especially their third baseman. At first glance Takeya Nakamura would appear highly unlikely to make any professional roster, but looks can be deceiving…
So with the potential to witness something that comical I decide to make the trek north and along the way managed to reacquaint myself with nature. For one of the drawbacks living in the heart of Tokyo is that you can easily forget what trees and grass look, feel, and even smell like.
A game at the Seibu Dome truly was a refreshing change of pace even though I couldn’t quite get over sitting in open air, domed stadium. It sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s true and really hard to describe. The building is basically wedged into the hillside which leads you to climb up into your seats depending on where you decide to sit. The sections of the stadium are based on a ticket pricing system, but within your grid it’s first come first serve. If that wasn’t enough, the roof is fitted into a cone surrounding the park propped up on pylons that circle the stadium.
(I hope that made sense…if not Google it or simply ignore the last paragraph.)
The atmosphere as usual was raucous with everyone dressed in their team gear, waving flags, banging noise sticks, and chanting all throughout with a trumpet and booming bass drum. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough on Saturday as Lions fell short losing 3-2.
On Sunday the weather improved considerably, but the fortunes of the Lions by the middle of the third inning seemed cloudy at best. As they trailed 6-2 I began to wonder if it was me who seemed to spread bad karma from one ballpark to the next for any team I took so much as took a passing interest in. Keep in mind it been ages now since I left a ballpark happy as the Swallows have been in a freefall (8-24-1 in August).
Still I remained hopeful as the Lions lineup seemed poised to make some noise while trying to claw their way back into the ballgame. My patience paid off, not once but twice…
In the 5th while trailing 6-4 Nakamura delivered a blast to pull the Lions within one.
Then in the bottom of the 8th after all-star shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima belted his second homer of the day to give the Lions the lead for the first time, Nakamura added an insurance run with his second to make the score 10-8! The video will give you a quick take on the insanity…
It’s rare to attend a game with the hopes of seeing someone live up to their billing, especially when you’re asking them to hit homeruns. What made it even better was hi-fiving the fans and dancing in the aisles after the crew behind me saw my Nakamura t-shirt and insisted I join the celebration (yeah, I caved, but understand I’ve been wearing the same five t-shirts since all our stuff got shipped to Shanghai). Meanwhile I couldn’t help but overhear them laugh at the idea that a gaijin would take such a rooting interest in their team.
But what’s not to like?
As a change of pace it was fun and depending on my schedule I may very well head back. While it isn’t the closest team for me to watch, it is easier to take in a game once there. Makes me wonder if M would have actually enjoyed Japanese baseball if we had adopted them instead?
Do I still love the Swallows? Of course, just like I love the Mets…warts and all, forever hoping for the best and expecting the worst. But the Lions, much like this year’s version of the Mariners always make things entertaining win or lose which in times like these makes all the difference. Will they make the playoffs? Hard to say, but it should be fun to watch them try.
Interesting article in the New York Times discussing the benefits of bento boxes.
I’ll be honest, after living here for three years now I find American portions ridiculous. Whenever M and I eat out now we usually share an appetizer and one entree simply because the volume of food rivals something Fred Flintstone would eat.
Saw this on YouTube a few days ago and thought it summed up life here quite well.
Our stuff arrived. After more than two months wait everything was delivered with no major casualties/damage.
Even the Chinese crew that dropped off everything complimented the Japanese for their wrapping ability.
For the better part of today M has been unpacking, but from the looks of everything it seems that we can finally make the apartment a little bit cozier.
So…we’re getting there. Well, the one last detail being me.
