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An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
One of my weirdest experiences in Brazil
John Katagi
My visit to the town of Tupã brought me face-to-face with . . . wait, I’ll tell you in a second.
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Brazil has steaks. And so much more!
John Katagi
One really cannot speak of travel without including the subject of food. Travel and food go hand in hand. Name the destination, and images of touristic landmarks and exotic cuisines come to mind. When one hears “Brazil” it’s normal for people to think of the Brazilian barbecue or churrasco. The …
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
What's on the Bottom of My Soup Bowl?
John Katagi
During one of my first visits to the city of Manaus in the early 1990s, I was hosted by a Japanese language school in an area bordering the jungle called Cachoeira Grande (big waterfall). Manaus is a major capital city on the Amazon River. When I think of Manaus, there …
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Beautiful, but Deadly
John Katagi
Kawashima sensei and I were at a conference outside of São Paulo at a retreat site called Tabor. We were having coffee with a number of community leaders, when a giant caterpillar on a nearby branch caught sensei’s attention.
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Wheee!
John Katagi
My first night in São Paulo, Brazil was like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland.
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Asking for Directions
John Katagi
When you’re driving and you’ve lost your way, what do you do?
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Wash Day
John Katagi
There must have been dryers somewhere in South America. Gas or electric, I would have taken either. During my eight years in Brazil, washday usually involved a washboard built into a sink, a hard, square, giant bar of soap and a clothesline. I never stayed anywhere with a dryer, no less a washing machine.
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Grapes of Wrath
John Katagi
My first trip to Argentina was with Kiyo and Rosa. Kiyo would become my advisor and friend during my term in South America. He and his wife invited me to join them on the journey to the Argentine state of Misiones, where they would visit and counsel a scattered group …
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Hot. Muggy. Sweaty. The Whole Nine Yards
John Katagi
The air was stifling.
An L.A. Sansei's Misadventures in South America
Chased by a Storm
John Katagi
This is perhaps my most memorable experience in the Amazonian state of Pará - riding with teammates on the rear bed of Jon Nishi's Mitsubishi pickup truck.