wacky japanese tourists

So I had my second encounter with Japanese tourists today (Johnny estimates that the Japanese make up about 60 percent of Taiwan's tourists -- but my trained eye puts that number closer to 95 percent).

We were at the marker for the Tropic of Cancer (or Tropic of Skin Cancer as we called it since the heat outside was so blistering) and after taking my photos I was off standing to the side in some shade contemplating where the Tropic of Gemini might be, and I noticed a Japanese tourist to the right of me inching closer. I turned around to see if I should get out of the way so his wife could take the photo and she motioned for me to stay -- it was then i realized they were shooting me and not the marker! So i turned around and smiled and stood next to the man to pose for the camera and he literally shook his head no and ran away as fast as a 70-year-old man could! He was totally scared of me! i felt bad, but oh well.

anyway, yesterday, while in one of the swallow coves along the big river gorge a japanese tourist group of young men surrounded me. i was oblivious as i contemplated puking down the canyon as my motion sickness was in full form. finally, one of them sided up to me and yelled "HELLLOOOOOOOOO!!! HOW AHHHH YOUUUUU?" right in my ear. Everyone busted out laughing and i really didn't know what to do but smile, nod and say that i was fine. clearly his friends had put him up to it as they exchanged hi-fives afterward. moving along.....