2016-07 summary

During an extended stay in Japan, Daniel developed an expanding, itchy, flaking red rash on his arms and hands around seven weeks into travel that topical creams did not relieve and that disrupted sleep; after reading Wikipedia he jokingly concluded he had incurable, contagious radiation poisoning and joked about becoming a superhero called Skin Man.

Daniel alleged the Japanese government deceived the public about radiation safety and claimed widespread radiation contamination existed.

Daniel discussed Pok demon Go's popularity, noting its GPS/camera-based real-world gameplay, Nintendo's delayed smartphone entry, and safety concerns including crowds gathering at police stations; he had not played it himself due to regional app store restrictions and lack of a mobile SIM card in Japan.

Daniel packed up, cleaned his room, and said goodbye to friends before leaving Japan; an overnight transit was disrupted when a train station closed for construction, forcing a four-hour wait during which he bought convenience food, observed construction work, and was approached by a stranger asking about a runaway girlfriend. He then flew to Taiwan, took a long bus ride, and checked into a small hotel without Wi-Fi.

After roughly 24 hours of travel, Daniel slept much of his first day in Taiwan, then met in person for the first time a friend he had known for six years; they visited McDonald's, watched television, and noted Taiwan seemed hotter and dirtier than Japan (spotting a large cockroach and rat). A motorbike ran out of oil, and Daniel later met the friend's father and brother, had tea, returned late, and prepared for an early mountain trip.

Daniel had trouble with a locker (forgotten code, concern over stolen shoes) and spoke to a girl about the issue, who walked away without responding.

Daniel traveled by car into Taiwan's central mountains with a friend and the friend's father, visiting a mountain temple and reaching a freezing summit, then stayed overnight in an unfamiliar shared house with a kitchen, sofa, and TV while the friend's father visited others.

After the unplanned mountain overnight without supplies, Daniel woke early to watch the sunrise, spoke in Japanese with an older local resident, and drank Taiwan beer. He improvised sun protection against the heat, toured an isolated indigenous village primary school (retreating from a ladder due to an insect), and later visited a windy brown-sand beach to watch crabs.

Skin rash and radiation-poisoning self-diagnosis during Japan travel.

Alleged government deception on radiation safety in Japan.

Pok demon Go release, gameplay, and access limitations.

Departure from Japan and transit complications en route to Taiwan.

First day in Taiwan: meeting a longtime friend, sightseeing, and family introductions.

Mountain excursion in central Taiwan including temple visit and overnight stay.

Post-overnight mountain activities: sunrise, village school tour, and beach visit.