Day two Monday in Japan the hardest part of this trip is over the travel day. I some what have my sense back, I don't have full Jedi strength, but I am able to focus. The 20 minute commute to the Canon's office is by far the most interesting part of the day outside of the Canon group I am with I am the only westerner on my commute allowing me a glimpse into Japanese life. Being the only westerners on the metro makes us a novelty and something to stare at. I brought with me my Rolliflex camera which because of its age and it being an uncommon item gives me and icebreaker with strangers on the metro allowing me to photograph them which I got to shots off.

Upon arriving to the office gifts and greeting are done with within an hour or so. Now its a work week starting off with meetings on the weeks schedule and training on new camcorders. The meetings are conducted in Japanese first then translated into english making the simplest presentation doubled its length in time. Mr Jay Asano my form boss in USA now second in command of video in Japan Inc walks into the room and " David you look different i don't know in a good way but you look younger". My last trip to Japan which was last year, my head was shaved and now I have long hair and most of the Japanese that i met last year don't recognize me. At the end of the days meeting a reception is held. The reception has a nice spread of food and abundant amount of sake and beer. Jay pulls me a side "David your presence is required after the reception at the sake bar, not a fancy place and sake not very good i will see you there. The majority of the usa group is escorted out of the building to go back to the hotel leaving me and three Canadians and a couple Japanese salesmen to head off to the sake bar. The bar is local hang out a kind of dive serving local brew sake which is milky white do to it being unrefined. I believe it to be 8:30pm when we leave the office with a 10min walk to the bar so early enough to catch the tale end of the after work drinking crowd who immediately inquire where we are from. Jay cruises in with a couple of folks from the office and starts ordering the local brew which is not bad but something if not watch could bring pain tomorrow. I hit the the bar bathroom to fine what i must say was a culture shock, the toilet or there lack of one. I was thankful that i did not have to do more than pee for it could have been more than just a culture shock.After about several rounds and ten fags we depart company to head back to the hotel. My trusty Rolliflex in hand and a buzz I shoot a roll off of strangers i walk to and ask to photograph, and not one person turns me down. The process of taken a photograph with the camera requires me to use my light meter first then carefully focus whine the camera and then click. The ritual fascinates people and they ask to look at the camera and speak with me about photography. The Japanese escort Hugo translates the interaction The Canadians humor me with my constant stops and conversations with locals to the point that they to start to point people out for me to photograph. I retire to the hotel bar for a sake with Hugo and discuss work children and life in Japan. Fading fast my head hits the pillow heavily thus ending the day.