Another Paris Street Scene

[gholmes1936]

Well within 12 hours of the USS Pueblo Incident with N. Korea the U.S. was allowed to have B52's on Okinawa. Before that there were forbidden as Okinawa is historically aligned with Japan is now back with them as part of the Empire. So we started flying mission to Vietnam from there. I cut 4 hours of flying time flying from there instead of Guam. Anyway during one of our crew rest days myself and another B52 crew member went to the closest town right outside the gates of Kadena AFB. Which as one might imagine held a lot of bars, and then some shops filled with stuff we American's might buy.As we kept going from one store to the other the shop keepers would say a sentence which always had a word that sounded like 'DOZO" in it. By the time we went into the 4th shop I was becoming more paranoid as it was known that the local population was not to keen on the US being there in the first place, much less escalating it's presence there. Back to "DOZO". Finally there was someone else in the shop and thru something that was said I came to realize what "DOZO" meant and how shallow I was then. "DOZO" meant please. They were all saying I help you please.

Now then I have bared my soul to show just how easy it is for people to mistake one another's meaning and maybe resulting in condemning a whole country, culture etc.

SIGH!!!!!

[sylvia1065]

Originally Posted by gholmes1936

Now then I have bared my soul to show just how easy it is for people to mistake one another's meaning and maybe resulting in condemning a whole country, culture etc.
SIGH!!!!!

Yes, that's quite right.
It reminds me when I was in Thailand, my masseuse calling me "pompoye", which means "fat" (OK, I could lose 4 or 5 kilos ). In their culture, there's no problem calling somebody fat or ugly or whatever, it's not meant to be offensive. LOL

[Joeven]

Here's one.

Joe

[gholmes1936]

Originally Posted by sylvia1065

Yes, that's quite right.
It reminds me when I was in Thailand, my masseuse calling me "pompoye", which means "fat" (OK, I could lose 4 or 5 kilos ). In their culture, there's no problem calling somebody fat or ugly or whatever, it's not meant to be offensive. LOL

Yes, I have been there and done that. But, after sitting in the rear cockpit of a B52 for 45 minutes prior to take off over the Gulf of Siam I was nowhere near FAT, I was 145 lbs and 5'10" But, alas, that was then and this is now. I won't tell you what you want to know now, so don't ask.

[sylvia1065]

Originally Posted by gholmes1936

I won't tell you what you want to know now, so don't ask.

Hmmmm (scratching head), why not???

[gholmes1936]

I'll never tell, my weight that is.

[Steve Conway]

Originally Posted by gholmes1936

Well within 12 hours of the USS Pueblo Incident with N. Korea the U.S. was allowed to have B52's on Okinawa. Before that there were forbidden as Okinawa is historically aligned with Japan is now back with them as part of the Empire. So we started flying mission to Vietnam from there. I cut 4 hours of flying time flying from there instead of Guam. Anyway during one of our crew rest days myself and another B52 crew member went to the closest town right outside the gates of Kadena AFB. Which as one might imagine held a lot of bars, and then some shops filled with stuff we American's might buy.As we kept going from one store to the other the shop keepers would say a sentence which always had a word that sounded like 'DOZO" in it. By the time we went into the 4th shop I was becoming more paranoid as it was known that the local population was not to keen on the US being there in the first place, much less escalating it's presence there. Back to "DOZO". Finally there was someone else in the shop and thru something that was said I came to realize what "DOZO" meant and how shallow I was then. "DOZO" meant please. They were all saying I help you please.

Now then I have bared my soul to show just how easy it is for people to mistake one another's meaning and maybe resulting in condemning a whole country, culture etc.

SIGH!!!!!

Got another one for you.

Newly arrived and stationed in Kyoto, Japan, a musician friend and I were downtown shopping for a banjo which he played.

Every time we would ask if they had a banjo they would point to the rear of the store or down some dark hallway. Well after a frustrating evening we returned to base and some of the guys who had been in Japan for a while informed us that the Japanese word for toilet, (or restroom), was "benjo."

Steve C.

[gholmes1936]

I recall when we went down to Mikimotos Pearl Outlet type store halfway to Naha I think it was. i need to use the bathroom. they showed me where the door was. When I went inside there was a concrete platform with about an 8 inch rise to it, followed by another platform on top of it with a 4 inch rise. SUNK into the middle of that platform were two in the ground toilets (mini-commodes). On each side of the open pit design were raised ribbed places to put ones feet while straddling the thing. Couldn't have used it now as my knees and back wouldn't allow it. I mean on was on their haunches.

But the thing that told me the most about my somewhat American-Puritan upbringing was when the door opened and an Okinawan lady stepped in and straddled the tpilet next to me. I figured I was done by then, whether or not I realized I was, can't recall. But , I was shocked then. I wouldn't be now being so much older and realize what's what as it were.

[sylvia1065]

They still use these toilets in most places in Thailand. In a way, it's more hygienic.
I like your banjo story, Steve. lol
Sylvia

[gholmes1936]

Seems like I recall that they were like that in Thailand also. I guess if you have done it all your life your knees might be healthier than mine are. Or one was. I have one new knee and will get another new knee in July.

[sylvia1065]

Originally Posted by gholmes1936

Seems like I recall that they were like that in Thailand also. I guess if you have done it all your life your knees might be healthier than mine are. Or one was. I have one new knee and will get another new knee in July.

Ouch !!! Good luck with the surgery.

[geepee52]

Lovely image.Played around a bit I used Buzz, Impressionist and some textures.

Grant

[Kraellin]

good pic, gunner and some really nice renditions here!

i gave it a shot, also. all psp.