Attaining the Status of Adashi

Once we were lost and now we are are found. My friend, the please don't touch my coat guy and I have had a conversions of sorts. Just as John the Baptist was an angry fisherman turned disciple of Jesus, we too have converted. Although the Ville is no Jerusalem, we have come to accept it and also have attained the title of Adashi. This occurred on two seperate occasions. The first being when my friend and I made a trek up Soyosan Mountain. The second time happened in the Ville. There is a bar there that used to be the center of our anger. Over time we went in and developed a relationship with Adjima. She now says we are gentlemen and welcomes us. We also have had our picture taken with an older adashi, who had a polaroid. Once I figure out how to scan it I will supplement this entry. However, as you can see from the picture of the adisherpa we exercised our diplomatic skills with relative ease. I have also included two new words to the lexicon.

1.Adisherpa (audi- sherpa) n: An adishi, who packs ice cream on his back up to an observation deck for sale. Seamuw as very happy when the adisherpa sold him some strawberry ice cream on a very hot day at Mt. Soyisan.

2. Adishady (audi-shady) n: 1. An adashi, who is less than honest when selling goods and or services to American Soldiers. 2. An adishi who acts very suspicous or sketchy while he is on post selling goods, providing services or working for the Army. Seamus encountered an Adishady when attempting to buy some bling off post and was quoted two different prices and responded with "pisade" (no deal or bargain in Korean). I have also included a cool picture of a dug out fighting position left over from the Korean war on the side of the mountain.

The Island Nation of Okinawa

Hello,

It has been a hectic few weeks since my last post. I was able to go to Japan on TDY (Army speak for "training" mixed with fun). I was able to spend time with other branches of the Armed Services to include the Marines, Navy and Air Force. After a puddle hop across the Sea of Japan (or if you are Korean and are still pissed at the Japanese, the East Sea) from Osan, to Fukowka on the main island of Japan I arrived in Okinawa. Okinawa is a lot like England, in that they drive on the wrong side of the road and I always looked the opposite way that traffic was flowing. However, I am certain that England does not have a big head flower pot with a tree growing out of it as you can see from my pictures. Once I was settled in my buddy and I experienced the local attractions which, included a trip to the zoo as well as an Okinawan style Ville. In many ways this ville was a lot like the Korean ville here in Tongdechon. Instead of Soju there is snake saki. There is a snake in the jar (picture forthecoming) and yes I drank it. I have not developed cataracts or need the aid of a seeing eye dog...yet anyway.

Overall a good time was had by all in Okinawa. I will be much better about posting in the future as there are other adventures to document. Enjoy the pictures.