My weekend has pretty much come and gone. I had a good time, though.

Saturday I went around Kokura to find the special edition of "Returner" and managed to pick it up. Had lunch at Ichiran as well before heading off to Kokuraminami to meet up with Mrs. Shimomoto.

Once I was at their home I was introduced to her friends, two other couples who spent the afternoon there so that we all could talk and drink over yakiniku (a barbeque of sorts). It was good. I had my fair share of meat, vegetables and beer. Later we watched some DV of the Shimomoto's excursion to Germany just a few weeks before.

They were invited to one of their old friend's weddings, so they went out to Germany where they sampled German cuisine, did the tourist route and drove over 200 km/h on the Autobahn. I'd say that's a fine trip.

This morning I woke up too early and felt the effect of drinking too much. Dizziness and mild frustration with it. Luckily I went back to sleep and several hours later I was refreshed. We all drove to Yamaguchi prefecture (north of Fukuoka-ken past the Kanmon Tunnel) where we went to an onsen. Hot springs.

Leaving from an onsen is like taking the ultimate bath. The hot water might get you at first but once you've bathed for awhile it's just the ultimate refreshment. Good for the skin and just good for relaxation.

Shoji drove shortly afterwards where we stopped to eat yakisoba. I forgot the name of the dish but it was served on what seemed to be a (traditional, Japanese style) roof shingle. Neat.

They took me home afterwards.

The wind has picked up since this morning. At first I wondered if a typhoon was passing by Kyushu (they never really hit us directly, instead going around towards central and northern Japan). From what I gather, it's just very strong winds. So strong that you can hear them cause a rumble through this apartment complex that is Kanada Kodan.