sanjo

Niigata is very very hot today.

Well I heard that the Nagaoka firework display here in Niigata is NIHON ICHI, and some even say SEKAI ICHI. Whether that is true or not is a big ????

I'll be sat with talking with Ocean

Don't you just love local news? Here in Niigata we just had a "news flash" on the local TV news that consisted of 1 news item...... It seems that today some scoundrel today stole some water melons from a field. The newscasters looked suitably concerned. Anyone else have any local news gems to share?

Hmmm - can't read that.

Good way to avoid the free English lessons on a train.

I'm really confused now.....

Markie....at times I agreen. But I don't think it works like that. >> So you're in love with your wife - forever walking around on a cloud and feeling absolutely fantastic all of the time, forever?? Hmmmm,.

They're out! I heard my first "semi" (or something similar) doing it's zzzzzzzzzz sound just now when I was out for a walk in the country roads. Not a frog sound to be heard.

Nah. Barok is in Nagaoka - not too far from me - and it is usually HOT in the region too. Maybe not as hot as Tokyo, but still HOT

Oh at least a few more years I hope.

Some place here in Niigata has some kind of bull vs bull fighting event, its on the tv now. I HATE seeing things like this. At the end it seems the humans round up on the bull and start being complete dicks. Can anyone explain to me any redeeming points of bullfighting. The only one I can think of is is the bull does some damage to some idiot human - I can see that as being a plus. ....

I had some of that today - quite nice actually.

Wet, rainy and sticky here in Niigata today

Felt that here in Niigata too - about 3 here

When they're working smoothly.....

Monster Munch pickled onion flavour.

Quote: Foreigners are uncommon and are a surprising sight to most japanese people That's spot-on true where I am.

Do you have more Japanese friends than non-Japanese? The majority of mine at Japanese.

People just aren't spending money as much as they used to - and are all for discounts.

Another arai topic, but it was just on the local Niigata news that someone died at Arai on the slopes. Any news on this too Blair?

Hey Blair take a look at this: http://www.skijapanguide.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003971 Twas in the Niigata newspaper yesterday. Any more info on that?

Well at least according to the Niigata Nippo newspaper the other day. For the first time in 10 years, numbers of snow riders increased, with Akakura seeing a nearly 10% increase. So it says here. Also says that Arai resort took a whopping 15% decrease this season.

I'd love to try, but just way too far for me. Have a good time.

I don't think Matsu Takako is all that special at all......