Nagabutsu Aisu Hokei

Yeah, you read it right: nagabutsu aisu hokei.

Also known as long rubber boots ice hockey.

So every Tuesday night, I play in a nagabutsu aisu hokei league after work. And by every Tuesday, I mean this week and last week. It's a team of 8--7 players and a goalie. It's kind of like broomball, except we use real hockey sticks and a hard plastic ball. Oh, and we get to wear elbow pads, knee pads, and helmets. And we play outside when it's (below) freezing...-16C to give a rough estimate.

1 fleece neck warmer, 2 long sleeve thermal shirts, 1 fleece vest, 1 fleece jacket, 1 track jacket

+1 pair of long johns, 1 pair of fleece lined sweats, 1 pair of snowboard pants

+2 pairs of long thermal socks

absolutely frozen

Games are only 10 minutes...two 5 minute halves. We played 4 games (3 real, 1 scrimmage) in 2 hours. Needless to say, I couldn't feel my toes the moment I got out of my car, let alone standing on ice in rubber boots. Not much insulation in those things. I think that's the coldest I've ever been...in my life.

Growing up in LA, I don't understand winter sports. To me, winter sports are basketball, soccer, and water polo. I don't really understand why people like being cold.

But the exercise is good and it is nice to hangout with coworkers and other people in the community outside the confines of work. We actually played the town Elementary school's teachers' team. They didn't recognize me until they heard me speaking English to another Japanese teacher of English who I work with at a junior high and also happened to be on my team. I did feel bad running into the teachers and knocking them over, but, in my defense, I was running in rubber boots on ice. It's good exercise and a good excuse to not stay inside all night. However, I'd pick basketball over nagabutsu aisu hokei as a winter sport any day.