Thank you! It's my favourite story to tell from my journey around Japan, second only to when I almost got into an altercation with someone who was clearly in the Yakuza by accidentally walking into them and spilling beer on them. But that's for another time.
And yes, I do not miss the sideburns.
Good on you! Writing is hard. What is your story about? Who is the main character? Who is the antagonist?
I will preface this story by saying that this is the absolute truth. You can choose to not believe it if you like, and I don't blame you if you do, it's the internet after all and everyone lies on the internet. I can't provide any sources or back up what I'm saying, but I am telling you that this story is 100% real and true.
Back in 2014, I went to Japan on my own for 3 weeks, not long enough but it was all I could afford at the time. As part of that trip, I stayed in a monastery in Koyasan, south of Osaka. The second day of my stay there was my 28th birthday and I spent the entire day surrounded by incredibly beautiful temples, haunting graveyards and utter serenity. At this point in my life, I had huge sideburns. This is relevant later on in the story.
Around lunchtime, I got a sandwich and noticed a bit of a hullabaloo near one of the temples, so being a nosy tourist I wandered over to see what was happening. Walking up the steps of the temple there was a small crowd of people, clearly waiting for someone, so I decided to wait with them.
A few minutes go by and some obvious security personnel walk up the stairs followed by a small Asian man in yellow and maroon robes. This man was very familiar, but I couldn't place him until he got closer.
It was His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.
I was absolutely floored. I was maybe 3 meters away from the head of one of the major world religions, on my goddamn birthday no less. He went along the front of the crowd of people, nodding and smiling and shaking the occasional hand. Until he got to me. Now I'm a 185cm tall 120kg white guy, to say that I stood out in Japan is an understatement. When His Holiness reached me in the line, he looked up at me, made direct eye contact, put the backs of his hands to his cheeks and wiggled his fingers, then burst out laughing.
The fucking Dalai Lama made fun of my sideburns on my birthday at a temple in Japan.
Its possibly the best and weirdest thing that has ever happened to me.
How about Lemmings?
Eventually I'll get myself a project car which will be petrol, but for a car to get from point A to point B, I don't think I'll ever get another ICE powered car.
I got a Nissan Leaf. I wanted a full EV over a hybrid to save on maintenance costs.
I got a Leaf and I'm surprised how well it handles, that low center of gravity with the battery pack really helps it feel planted through the corners.
Yes! Absolutely! Pair that with paying for shit with my phone and I feel like I'm in Star Trek, except without the uniforms and cool shit.
Do beards count? Like many men, I decided to stop shaving during Covigeddon and discovered that a big, bushy beard suits me and decided to keep it.
Thank you! I'm glad you choose to believe it.