Hokkaido Highway Blues

I have just finished reading this book by Will Ferguson.

I haven't had such a compelling read in a long time.

It tells the story of Will Ferguson's hitchike across the length of Japan, following the sakura's journey from the southern tip of Kyushu all the way to Hokkaido - the most northerly point.

I LOVED it. It is absolutely hilarious and I often found myself bursting into laughter in the middle of a deathly silent teachers room.

And I know the reason why I loved it so much. It's because I can RELATE to so much of what he's written about. His experiences as a foreigner in Japan mirror what all of us experience. His attitudes toward the Japanese and his reactions to the Japanese people's reactions to him are such a familiar feeling. I was constantly nodding and grinning to myself and thinking 'My God, that is so true'.

It's also full of a lot of interesting facts - not only about Japan, but also about why a thumb is the symbol of hitchiking, yet the index finger is used to hail a taxi. Gripping stuff! LOL!

I want you all to read it. Especially if you are here living in Japan. It's just so offensively funny and impossible to put down.

Please read it. I can't recommend it enough.