Chase A. Wolf's

Archive for January, 2010

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log 1.30.2010.  Our plane lifted off from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport en route to Seoul, South Korea, and I absently muttered a traditional silent prayer to the Gods of Air Travel Safety - relaxing in the certainty that the flight would be a dull, couple hour hop.  Closing my eyes, I smiled and pondered the drink cart that would soon be headed my way.

     After a few minutes of climbing through the clouds, the engines grew silent and our plane began to lose speed.  Strange, I thought, shouldn’t we be gaining speed?  My fingers instinctively gripped the armrest a little tighter.  Aikido has taught me to control fear, but most dojos aren’t flying 500 miles an hour at 25,000 feet over the Sea of Japan. 

     BANG!  A sudden explosion, like the backfiring of an old car was instantly followed by a huge flash of electric light arcing all around the engine just outside my window.  Simultaneously, my fingers made permanent indentations in the armrest, my throat slammed shut and certain muscles went into instant, uncomfortable rigor.  I promised whichever Travel Gods I’d just offended that I would never think about mixed drinks again while praying.

     Eyes clenched, all I could think about was the location of the exit doors –  Read the rest of this entry »

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log 1.29.2010.  Last full day in Tokyo – then a quick visit to Seoul, South Korea.  After unsuccessfully trying to crush the alarm clock, I rolled out, washed down a couple Ibuprofen to ease the soreness from this week’s Aikido, hit the streets and sprinted to the Hombu Dojo for the honor of having my butt kicked one last time.  Not even time for coffee and a smoke. 

     Said goodbye to the terrific people I met at the dojo, and, feeling wonderfully bruised and alive, I wandered the streets a bit – a little sad to be leaving and already thinking about my return.  There are many things I love about martial arts, but one of them is the easy and lasting connections made with people in faraway places who share that love – bondings that can last a lifetime.  After a week of eclectic dining, I said goodbye to Tokyo with a simple, traditional sushi dinner – even the humble, local sushi in Tokyo is better than anywhere else.  Maybe it’s the setting?  

     I’m an eager traveler – so the next morning I awoke before the alarm clock began nagging me.  I gently turned it off and politely apologized for all the things I said about it this week.  Bags packed, I set out early for the airport to return my rented phone and catch my flight to Seoul, South Korea.

     I arrived in Tokyo last week in a drizzle and a thick fog Read the rest of this entry »

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log 1.27.2010.  I’m having trouble immersing myself completely in Tokyo’s indigenous cuisine.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Japanese food – when I’m in the States.  But my stomach is homesick already and keeps leading me back to the familiar.  With all the countries I’m traveling through over the next couple months, this could be a problem – especially if my stomach and my lower intestine start conspiring to play tricks on me.          

      I was stumbling around Tokyo’s back streets last night, trying to find a suggested Japanese restaurant for dinner – my stomach whining like a five-year old about having to digest something unknown and unpronounceable – again. 

     Suddenly, most unexpectedly, I found myself standing in front a sign beckoning me down a little alley and to some narrow stairs leading me to a “French-style” restaurant.  The décor was French Bistro – as interpreted through Japanese sensibilities, with a maximum seating of 15.

Tokyo: French Bistro

     I was too hungry to walk back up the stairs to the street, so I consulted my stomach for approval – most vigorously given – said a prayer and sat down.  The proprietress was a one-woman restaurant – hostess, chef, and waitress – and spoke good English.  Her husband teaches judo in France so we talked a little about martial arts.  I watched her make the onion soup and duck.  It was rich and delicious – superb.  What luck serendipity sometimes provides the traveler.  Afterwards, I crashed back at the hotel – my stomach contently doing its job. 

By Chase A. Wolf 

     Chase’s Log 1.26.2010.  Actually slept to 5:oo a.m. today and awoke pretty rested.  Fueled by McDonald’s finest black coffee and a couple of quick smokes, I hit the Aikido dojo for a couple hours.  It hit back.

     My body is really starting to feel the effects of the travel and the training.  I know – I treat my body like I stole it – from someone else who had already stolen it.

     Breakfast, a little reading and then some business emails – much to do.  Hit the streets to check out the action and wandered around Korea Town.  Busy as usual, but everyone was bundled and shivering as they hustled through the streets and the markets.  Checked the stock markets and then headed back to the dojo the evening round of self – abuse that I like to refer to as Aikido. 

     Trudging back to the hotel afterwards, feeling pounded like a cheap steak, I thought about cultural differences. Read the rest of this entry »

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log 1.25.2010.  The body clock is still really screwed up.  Went to sleep around 9:30 last night and got up at 4:00 a.m.  What the heck?  Fortunately, I have a built-in snooze alarm in my head and after smacking myself a few times I rolled out, bumped into the wall, stubbed a toe and found the sink to splash cold water in my face.  Coffee – need coffee. 

      Checked emails, grabbed my stuff and headed to the Aikido dojo.

     Stepped into the darkness and immediately sensed the street and buildings scowling at me for disturbing their peace – everything’s closed and shuttered.

     No – wait, someone left the Holy Grail light on, which right now happens to look a lot like McDonald’s golden arches. Read the rest of this entry »

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log 1.24.2010.  The next morning, I shook myself awake quite late and blindly reached for the cigarettes. Crap, it was already 9:30 a.m.  By the time I rolled out of bed, got the Internet set up, checked emails, got dressed and called into the home office, it was nearly 11:00 a.m.  I got to the lobby to discover breakfast was finished.  Mumbling and grumbling, I wandered into a chilly, sunlit street and decided to find my way to the Hombu Dojo for my Aikido training – if they’d still take me.

     Luckily, I recognized the street the dojo is on from prior visits and was there in about 20 minutes time.  I filled out the required papers, but was too late for Sunday classes.  I stumbled into Tully’s coffee house just before passing out from hunger and thirst to indulge in a hot java and an edible sandwich.  Sometimes it’s all about the little things. Read the rest of this entry »

By Chase A. Wolf

     Chase’s Log: 1.23.2010.  My arrival at Tokyo’s Narita airport marked the beginning of long journey through many countries, which will culminate in Portugal sometime in March.  This particular journey started with a good omen:  a downpour of rain and a miso-thick Japanese fog. 

     My philosophy:  it can only get better.

     Amazed that my flights were on schedule and my bags were waiting for me at the airport, I continue to be surprised every time I visit Japan at how efficient, “friendly” and polite the people are (even government officials).  I was through customs and immigration easily. Read the rest of this entry »