I had learned a lot of things about Japan.There were lots of brochures on it: the land of the rising sun, filled withverdant and peaceful gardens. Serene, quiet, disciplined – a different worldthat was foreign to my British world. It was six months since I looked at thatbrochure, and I had been in Japanfor two months already. The first thing that stood out in my mind when Iarrived was my appearance. Being easily over six feet tall, I towered easilyover most of the people. My blonde hair and blue eyes also set me apart, to thepoint where people would pay noticeable attention to it, as if it werecompletely alien. I guess I couldn’t blame them, my friends in Americaalways said I looked like “Legolas” from the Lord of the Rings movies. I guessI’d have to agree, my figure was pretty lithe with a nice muscular contour, andI did have long blonde hair.