Hakata, Japan

Our next stop was Hakata, Japan. It was a nice city, not much different from other cities here. At least it was where we got dropped off. There were bars and restaurants, shopping centers and the multilevel department stores, as well as at least one club that a lot of people I work with found and brought back some interesting stories from.
My first day we went to a mall called Canal City where I spent way too much at Claire’s and an awesome bead shop. We went back early since honestly, there is only so much time one can spend at a mall before there just is nothing more to see.
The next day we started at the other stop our bus had and found a pair of what I call “training heels” for less than $20. They’re wedge sandals with about a two or three inch heel that are rather comfortable, for the first three hours or so. Seven hours later, I wasn’t so happy. Anyways, after buying the sandals and changing into them, we headed back to Canal City for supper and a show. The supper wound up being in a restaurant that specialized in garlic and I had noodles.
The show turned out to be three shows me and my partner had already seen the day before and two new shows. The first show was a probably famous mime in the area but his makeup annoyed me as did his show. (Maybe it’s just the fact that mime acts last so long…) The first show was a rope swing high above the crowd ( generally swinging about level with the third and fourth floor.) and the mime played while they prepared for the next act. The girl changed quickly to twirl around five feet off the stage on a hula hoop. The next show was a comedic act where two guys held/played with a bouncy balance beam that bounced a girl high in the air. The third act was a trio of Asian guys walking in two hamster wheels connected by an axle in the middle. One guy walked blindfolded, another juggled bowling pins, and the other jump roped. Although the Asians weren’t perfect, the night show was rather impressive. But by then it was late and since neither of us were in the mood to drink the night away we headed back.