29 July 94 July 26 was eel-eating day here in Japan. I think it's supposed to be midsummer day and is "officially" considered the hottest day of summer. Eel is considered to strengthen the body, so if you eat eel on that day you'll last through the summer. Finally, I asked my host ma where the homeless people are in Japan - basically, I think she said that they're not where one can see them - and really there aren't many in Hakodate (there aren't many in Raleigh, either - but you see them.) I mean, everything here (except for a few things like noodles and rice, but even those I think are cheaper in the U.S.) is really expensive - even for the Japanese and I keep hearing about how hard it is for people to get jobs now and I;ve been wondering what do these people do? Is there welfare here?