CL <flothru@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On 05/28/2011 11:33 PM, mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:

> > Actually, I did; I heard about it in the early 80s, when I first started
> > taking my studies of Japan/Japanese seriously.

> I also learned about the Snow Festival in the course of my Japan studies 
> ... somewhat earlier than Mike.  Unfortunately, my first chance to visit 
> Japan after that was nothing more than a transit of Okinawa on my way to 
> save the inhabitants of another Asian country by shooting them and I 

I *JUST* missed that trip.

> didn't get a chance to do Hokkaido for the first time until about 1989.

> > BTW, another consideration is that the Sapporo trip includes, essentially, a
> > side trip. Japanese seem to like to pack in things like that on trips.

> I REALLY LIKE Furano in the winter ... but somewhat less so, now that 
> I'm married.  At least my Boss tells me that I ought to feel that way.

> > Plus, Sapporo seems to be famous in Japan for its food, so even a bit
> > more out-of-pocket would seem justified.

> Susukino is famous for many other things than just the food.  Some of 
> those things can be discussed publicly on a family list.  I keep 
> http://www.susukino.co.jp/ on my phone browser for clients who have read 
> about, and want to try for themselves, those "other" activities. 
> They're a lot more amenable to foreign (non-Russian) guests in that 
> town, too.  I am constantly amazed at the number of in-store, take-out, 
> and delivery-to-your-hotel-room options the local businesses offer.

I bow to your knowledge of such things, sir.

Mike