RTW: p32 - Last day @ LDW

When I first entered LDW at their party last year, I was given a T-shirt from a movie called Arigato, so I thought it was fitting to wear it on my last day and say thanks to everyone!
As a leaving and finishing project party, my boss Fukumoto San took us out to dinner at
a famous Tempura restaurant. Offering an awesome Vegetarian dinner set, the Chef has served the likes of Charlie Chaplin and former US Presidents! Koie San and I (the youngins) were amused and overwhelmed by the class of this place. Next we headed to
an Irish pub in Shimbashi to continue drinking and then back to Gotanda for more staff to send me off and hang out till 6am. They also gave me some cool Japanese style gifts!

RTW: p41 - Beijing, Red Lantern house

Everything you have heard about traffic in China is true. More so.
I was literally scared to cross the street. I just joined the locals and ran when they ran. There is absolutely no attention paid to any kind of road rules! All colours mean GO, any space of road (or sidewalk) is up for grabs and their horns may as well be switched permanently to ON.

Red Lantern House is a nice hostel in Hutong area, it used to be a temple and has indoor gardens and is quite peaceful. Its a sanctuary within the chaos of Beijing. Maybe a little too quiet though, not exactly the best atmosphere for meeting people and hanging out, “relaxing” is not my thing! They serve food and can organise flights, shows etc. Not the friendliest of staff at times, but they get the job done. Ordering a plane ticket was quite funny, they made a call, then a few hours later they talked to someone on a CB Radio and he showed up on bike with my ticket!

Me and a Dutchman managed to make it to a Chinese Acrobatics show and it was pretty damn good. I hate to think the childhood these kids have had most of them were quite young and performing all kinds of acts of balancing, strength and more.
AND they perform EVERY night! Amazing.