After nearly four weeks of travel without a drop of rain, I guess our time had come. Our arrival in Fukuoka coincided with the beginning of the Typhoon season, and there was one sitting over the city waiting for us. This meant we had to rediscover items burried at the bottom of our packs such as jackets, umbrellas and trousers. Torrential rain does not make for great sight-seeing. But in Fukuoka, as with all big Japanese cities, there is oodles of fun to be had indoors. So we entered the neon world of the Amusement Arcades to investigate the teenage photo-booth phenomena. These are called Purikura, and they are basically jazzed-up photo-booths where you and you friends pick a theme and background and have a few snaps taken. You can then digitally enhance them with any number of hearts, rainbows or kittens before printing them out on to paper or as little stickers. Then you swop them with other friends. You can see ours here - anyone want to swop?That, and the other machines in the place, passed a few happy hours and during a brief let up in the deluge we walked across to the entertainment district which looked great with its flashing neon signs reflected in the water.
said...
Actually, I would love to change these little stickers with you!!! Some years ago, I visited Korea with a friend and the Koreans were really crazy about these photo-booths - so were we after some days. Until today, I still have many of those little sticker, so we should come together to exchange some!
Lots of love,
Eva
Steve + Rachel said...
I knew there would be somebody who wanted to swop!! Great to hear from you Eva - we`ll have to set up a rendezvous in Trier so we can trade. Hope you and Bernt are well.
said...
Of course I want to swop! I really loved these small stickers! If your plans about your "visit" to Montreal haven't changed, we just miss each other there. Bernd and me will be there in the beginning of September and then again at the end of the month. Too bad ... anyway, than we have to meet in Trier! I am very much looking forward to this! Rachel, I hope you are getting well very soon!