Our week in Japan for MateRock went so fast, and was full-on times a bazillion. I didn’t get time to blog on the trip, because I was lazy and drunk a lot so I’m going to break it down over a few blogs, before I forget everything…
We arrived in Hakuba to meet our host for the week
This is Adrien
He’s an Aussie who’s lived in Japan for over 20 years
MateRock originally started out as a BIG birthday party he was throwing to celebrate his 50th
Then the devastating tsunami happened, affecting everything
He decided to go ahead with the party, but changed it to a fundraiser
With the goal of paying for the education of 20 children orphaned by the tsunami
And taking care of those kids financially for the next 10 years
Pretty cool, huh?
As well as Adrian, we got to meet a shitload of other people on our first night
Mum proved what a jet she is by remembering everyone’s names
While bimbo me continued all week calling everyone ‘matey’ & ‘dude’
This one (below) I will remember though
And not just because this was the beginning of a big old bromance for Dad
This is Dave Gleeson, from the Screaming Jets
He was in Hakuba to be the front man for the The Angels
How’s that for an inspired merging?
Love it!
We were all taken to a great little local restaurant
And even got to sit on the floor and use chopsticks
I made a vow to try all food that was put in front of me – even if it looked like octopus scrotums covered in jizz
Guess what?
ALL the food was amazing
Like, really really yummy
I don’t remember the names of anything though
And not just because I discovered Shochu (funny how I remember the name of that)
Schochu (pronounced show-chew) is a traditional Japanese alcoholic drink, like sake
But unlike sake, that you drink straight up
You drink schochu with a mixer
Like lemonade, or soda
The kicker?
No hangover!
I. Shit. You. Not.
If I can’t find it when I get back to Chicago
You can bet your arse I’ll be finding a way to import this Jesus juice
After our I-can’t-believe-I-ate-all-that-even-though-it-wasn’t-steak-and-veggies dinner
We headed back to the hotel
Where Dad & I got the guitars out and shocked the shit out of some foreigners that had never heard of us serenaded our new friends
A fabulous, fabulous, funny (it’s only day one & I’ve run out of descriptive words & I’m repeating myself) night
But wait, there’s more…. But not right now, ’cause I’ve got a plane to catch
Hello Jenny.
Enjoying your Japan blog so far,brings back memories of my 2 trips to the land of the rising sun.
The boggy crappers in the hotel rooms certainly can be confusing with all those buttons.But i tell you something after a really hot day in Tokyo nothing was more soothing than a warm jet of water up the old ring.
I was so unsure about the Japanese food because obviously there was no translations on the menu and you had no idea what you were eating.Unfortunately i am not a big fish eater although i am partial to lots of muffdiving.But eventually i did try some japanese food and it was damn good.
So glad that the show you did was to raise funds for those poor kids who were orphaned due to the Tsunami tragedy.Hope a lot was raised and i hope that you all had a great time.Looking forward to reading the rest of your blog.
Hope that next year your entry to the UK is more successful as i really want to see you and your dad and maybe have a few drinks after show.
Take care,love you lots xxx