Who what when where why? Because Im in Japan.

Asami and I got to spend a day with her dad.  He took us around town to visit his favorite places.  What a treat this was.  For a bit of background, Asami's dad was an engineer, now retired, that now occasionally does work as a consultant from home.  He's an avid surfer with a real love for the ocean.  He also has a real love for life, family, a good drink, a good meal, and good company. A wonderful wonderful man, indeed, is Yoshinori.  I call him Yoshinoya which is a popular cheap eatery here that is referred to as "beef ball." Hes so far from a beef ball, I thought it was most appropriate for a nick-name.

When is the last time youve seen a taxi like this?  Im sure this poor guy would quit his job if I attempted to catch a ride from him. 

This is another temple he took us too.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  There were workers working on the landscaping while we were there and it was fascinating to see them tailor the designs so precisely.  Very slow, methodical, detailed work, they do.

Zen gardens destroyed by people who cant stay on the stepping stones. Ha.

A candle holder... from the 1300's. Isnt the Japanese maple beautiful?

Midst the bamboo garden, so beautiful, it simply took my breath away.  In fact, it was so peaceful, it made me not even want to talk.  Or think.  Or think about talking. Or think about thinking.

Stunning, yeah?

This is the tea they made at the temple.  It was not the most pleasant tasting tea in the world, but drinking it while staring into the bamboo garden, made it feel right. 

This is a shrine to honor a fella who was a direct descendant of Buddha who lived at the temple.

Here he is himself, on the ledge overlooking his favorite ocean, at his favorite beach, enjoying something he loves very much that he was able to share with me, something he could introduce me to: the Pacific.

I have an intense fear of heights, and these steps were very tiny and I had a terrible time getting down them.  I wanted to cry.  Again, to reiterate, I hate heights.  

I cant imagine, because Im not a father, but when you find out your only daughter has met a man in another country, who speaks none of your language, who has no foreign preceding reputation, I would guess a bit of fear and anxiety linger in the heart.  Especially since Asami and I chose to get married so fast. No matter how much confidence they have in their daughter's ability to make an informed and educated "for life" decision, I would assume their would still be some doubt.  

Being that this is Yoshinori and I's second meeting, and this time its on HIS turf, and he was able to show me the things in life that made HIM happy, and why he is the way he is, I feel it helped soothe maybe any lingering ill feelings.  He has never admitted or showed signs of any of these feelings, but he wouldnt.  To have this day with him, these moments were precious.  They are precious.  So, to one hell of a guy, thank you, Yoshinori.  Thank you so much... for a beautiful daughter, for a beautiful time.