I had an amusing and slightly disturbing encounter last time I entered Japan.

 

It was at Fukuoka, getting off the ferry from Busan, South Korea. I was the only non-Asian on the boat except for an  overweight American woman who seemed to be traveling with a mountain sized sumo.

The Customs official, after going through my suitcase meticulously, even opening my tube of toothpaste and looking incredulously at the rolls of film I was carrying, (Why you use film?". "To take photos."), asked me to take off my jacket. He then turned out the pockets and found a small seed of something. It had been there for ages and was nothing in particular.

He then proceeded to dismantle my suitcase, taking out the liner, checking everything again. Checking all my pockets. Turning out my wallet and examining the lining with a magnifying glass.

Then he asked me - "You are from Australia. Do you know Nimbin?"

Me - "Yes"

Him - "Have you been to Nimbin?"

Me - "Yes"

Him - "When did you go to Nimbin?"

Me - "On the 24th of October 1986."

Him "How long did you stay?"

Me - "47 minutes."

Him (still not batting an eyelid) - "Did you buy marijuana?"

Me - "No"

Him - "Do you like marijuana?"

Me - "No"

Him (leaning over and prodding me in the stomach) - "Do you like beer?"

Me - "I think you are getting a bit too friendly now. But, yes, I like beer."

He then became very friendly and spoke about Japanese beer. He recommended I try Yebisu beer and lamented that I was traveling on from Fukuoka almost immediately and would be unable to have a drink with him. As if I would...

He kept me more than 30 minutes. The area which had been packed with people arriving, was now empty. I went out and found my friend Bill waiting for me. He had been wondering here I was.

No-one else had been delayed or searched.

 

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A small piece of beauty - Nature in Busan

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As I walked this afternoon along the Oncheon-cheon, a stream that runs through Northern Busan, I saw a rare thing: a white bird, stalking fish in the near frozen water.

I watched him for a while and saw him catch 3 small fish. Later I saw two more white birds. A good day for nature.

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The End of the Universe - Hong Kong

After the incredible heat of Cairns, several hours of cramped conditions on the flight, it was a relief to wander around Hong Kong International Terminal for a while taking in the Gucci bags and the conspicuous displays of fur coats.

Our flight to Busan leaves from Gate 19; some thousands of metres from the area where we arrived. We travelled a long almost geodesic corridor and found ourselves at the End Of The Universe.

I wonder when the show begins…

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The End of the Universe - Hong Kong

After the incredible heat of Cairns, several hours of cramped conditions on the flight, it was a relief to wander around Hong Kong International Terminal for a while taking in the Gucci bags and the conspicuous displays of fur coats.

Our flight to Busan leaves from Gate 19; some thousands of metres from the area where we arrived. We travelled a long almost geodesic corridor and found ourselves at the End Of The Universe.

I wonder when the show begins…

Posted via email from jayavant's posterous

The End of the Universe - Hong Kong

After the incredible heat of Cairns, several hours of cramped conditions on the flight, it was a relief to wander around Hong Kong International Terminal for a while taking in the Gucci bags and the conspicuous displays of fur coats.

Our flight to Busan leaves from Gate 19; some thousands of metres from the area where we arrived. We travelled a long almost geodesic corridor and found ourselves at the End Of The Universe.

I wonder when the show begins…

Posted via email from jayavant's posterous