On my second night in Nagoya, I had the pleasure of attending a "gaijin" party. For those who are not familiar, the term "gaijin" is Japanaese for foreigner; it's sort of like the equivalent to the Spanish "gringo". Offically, it is a derogatory term, but foreigners use it to describe themselves quite openly. Anyhow, on day two in Nagoya, I attended a get-together made up of virtually all gaijin (who mostly work for the same company I do), in an apartment building called Freebell (which is occupied by about 50% gaijin). Japanese people never socialize in their apartments or homes, mostly because they are too small....foreigners, however, do. It was a reallygood party, I met a lot of cool people, including a bunch of Canadians, a Japanese guy who offerred to teach me Japanese if I taught him English in return, and a Kiwi guy who hooked me up with his rugby team. The party went off without a hitch, until an intense Canada vs. the US debate was sparked (by other guests, not me) (picture included....of my American roommate, Cody, squaring off with a Canadian girl, Tanya). Although all in good fun, it sort of put a damper on things. The next night I headed out for my first kareoke experience with my new friends from the aparment above (also Nova instructors). One of them, Steve, an Aussie, had made plans with a couple of his students, and I tagged long with a few others. Japanese kareoke is a unique experience. Everyone pays their money (in this case about $5), and you get a private room, which seats about 10 people or so, with a kaeoke machine/TV, surround sound, and two michrophones (and some backup instruments: a tambarine and maraca). In addition to this, you get all-you-can-drink privilages (known as "nomi hodai"), for 2 hours. This is actually a bit better than it sounds as the booze is questionable...and rather watered down. As you will see from the pictures, Steve's students are real party animals.