I guess I'll pass on going into any red light districts, Charley, especially on Valentine's day!

Today Wakana got her wish. She dragged me into a barbershop and had her way with me. Sigh. I only wish I could have enjoyed the experience as much as she did.

Since she was the only one who could talk to the barber they spent a happy 15 minutes turning my head and discussing the work in Japanese while I emulated a mannequin. Wakana gleefully announced that he was willing to trim my beard also.

Then the headsman began cutting. He swaddled me in several layers of aprons and the snipped away with his scissors for a while. After they agreed that it was short enough he tipped me back and washed my hair twice. I tried to explain that the Amerika-jin were not really as dirty as rumor would have it but he seemed to think it was necessary. After rinsing, applying a rinse, rinsing again, and toweling he gave me a short head massage. Either that or he was getting a kick out of hitting the American in the head. Then he tipped me back again and started on the beard.

He snipped away with the scissors for a while and then took a piece out of my right earlobe. He actually drew blood! He explained to Wakana that the silver of the beard matched the scissors and he couldn쳌ft see where he was cutting. Hah! He trimmed and then cleaned up the jaw line using a straight razor. After the ear I was somewhat concerned but he managed to keep some form of control. He shaved my throat (!), my cheeks, the back of my neck, my forehead (?!), and inside my ears! After that he was done and I no longer looked like Hagrid. I was disappointed. I had just figured out how to say, 쳌gHagarido des. Harry Potter wa doko desuka?쳌h (I am Hagrid. Where is Harry Potter?) to children.

Today is Valentine쳌fs Day. In Japan women give chocolate to men on February 14. Between Wakana, her mother, and her aunt I have scored over 400 grams of chocolates and a can of Danish butter cookies! Men reciprocate in March with expensive gifts of clothing and jewelry.

By the way, I haven쳌ft mentioned the Japanese and green tea. All living creatures need air to live. The Japanese need air and green tea. In the grocery stores it is sold in bulk. The highway rest stops have vending machines to sell coffee, water, and sodas but the green tea is free. There is always a little teapot and a hot water pot standing ready to provide the right refreshment at a moment쳌fs notice. Green tea is bitter so I excited more than a little comment when I added sugar to mine!