日本人わな or 外国人わな？

We call it a "gaijin trap" because gaijin, foreigners, are always getting their cars, bicycles, arms and legs stuck in the water ways that line the streets and sidewalks in the inaka, countryside. These water ways are part of a massive drainage system used to irrigate the rice paddies and other fields. But they are a serious hazard because they are often left uncovered. People slip in, fall in, drive their cars in or simply aren't watching where they are going and walk right in. But last night we witnessed an unusual event. One of our Japanese friends drove straight into one. I think she thought she could pop right over it. Acutally, she didn't see it at all and drove right in. Her left tire hit it first and wedged itself right down in there, just an inch about the water line. Her back right tire was up off the ground. Her car became a see-saw! We bounced on one end trying to pop the other up, but we didn't have enough weight. We tried to lift it up from the front end but we didn't have enough muscle power to actually lift the engine! So we called in more forces. John was having a party with three of his teachers, all women! They joined in. We got it to budge but we needed more. A factory bus drove by with all it's workers inside and didn't even stop to say hello. Meanwhile, it's snowing and freezing outside! We tried the jack with no luck. We stopped the next vehicle that drove by. A Russian and a Japanese man jumped out. We all grunted, "say no," the Japanese equivalent of "1,2,3,go!" Nine people grunted, screamed, cursed and pushed and we lifted it out of the mizo, drainage gutter. There was a lot of cheering, a lot of high 10's, and a lot of hugging! It was like we had just won the SuperBowl!

Be careful!