Monthly Archives: January 2011

The “Gaijin Nod”

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

A friend from Venezuela, when we were in Prague, had a habit of making a small nod with his head toward fellow South Americans. An African-American friend from Detroit had the same habit in Germany. “It’s the brother nod,” he … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Thinking | 10 Comments

Japan’s Least Popular Arcade Game |

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

I’ve developed something bordering on fanaticism for the Taiko Drum game and spend way too much money and time in video arcades as a result. “Game Centers,” as the kids call them, are usually a few floors with gambling on … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun, Uncategorized, Video, Weird | 4 Comments

On The Bullet Train | 新幹線

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

Maybe the Shinkansen, Japan’s cross-country bullet train, is only interesting until you’ve ridden it. I was ecstatic to take the Shinkansen on a trip from Fukuoka to Tokyo. It’s a 14-hour drive by car achieved in a little under 5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized, Video | 6 Comments