This is an homage to Jeff Robert's brilliant spot-the-ramen page. But this one is different. I realized it would be impossible to top his creativity by going head-to-head. Anything derivative would fail horribly in comparison. I had to think of something that would be unique.
So I sent my package of ramen on a vacation to tropical paradise.
And what's better... I enlisted the aid of innocent bystanders.
This, I am sure, is something Jeff would never do. His ramen was inconspicuous, hidden, even frightened of strangers. My ramen would not hide in shadows and shame. Instead, it would proudly embrace the public and even recruit them to its cause. What cause, you ask? To find the "King", of course.
No, not that king. The Ramen King. Thank you very much.
I wondered how people would behave when a stranger approached them, camera in one hand and ramen in the other, and asked them to pose for a picture holding the ramen. Haven't you often wondered about this too? Come on, admit it. You think about this all the time.
I was pleasantly surprised by how many people agreed to be a good sport and pose with the ramen. A few turned me down and these usually resulted in the more amusing encounters. A common question was if this was for an advertisement, which was a bit surprising, but I assured them that it was just for fun.
For those of you who volunteered-- You showed your good sense of humor. And for those of you who refused-- You showed your good sense.
The Coffee Haven is easily the friendliest internet cafe in Honolulu. The cafe is never empty. You will always find friends, or at least, friendly mannekins to talk to.
I was wearing a Microsoft t-shirt that day and was approached by another coffee drinker (not pictured) who desperately wanted Bill Gates's email address. Naturally, I was quite reluctant to reveal information so sensitive and so valuable but after much persistence on his part (and the free latte helped) I finally gave in and told him. It's billg@microsoft.com. But let's just keep that our little secret.
A statue in front of the convention center. He is making the traditional Hawaiian offering of ramen noodles.
Ancient Hawaiian legend has it that if you commit the taboo of making the noodle offering while wearing a jockstrap you will be instantly transformed into bronze. No one knows if this is true.
Short of cash, I tried to pawn my priceless antique package of ramen. He didn't buy my story about it being handed down through many generations and bequeathed to me on my grandfather's death bed. It might have worked if I had only thought to erase the "best if used by" date. It's always the little things that trip you up.
He picked up the phone and dialed the police. Things looked hopeless. My quest for the Ramen King appeared to be at an end. Then, as if in a dream, the hero in the Hawaiian Buckaroo poster looked down on me and spoke in the voice of my long-dead teacher, "When you can take the ramen from my hand it will be time for you to go." In one swift motion I snatched the ramen from the curio dealer's hand and made my getaway.
A statue of Duke Kahanamoku, famous surfer, on Waikiki Beach. He is doing his trademark "I need a hug" pose.
A nice couple on Ala Moana beach. He wanted to know if it was for an advertisement.
Shortly after this I was waiting to cross the street and asked a young woman if she would pose for a picture while she held my ramen. She refused to look at me in the eye (it was something of an impressive effort on her part) and there were several long, awkward moments until the light changed.
This fellow makes a living out of making robot noises and wiggling around a lot. I felt certain he would gladly participate.
Everything was just peachy until I asked him to pose with my ramen. Then, all of a sudden, he appeared to lose his robot powers. I tried to put the ramen in his hand but his fingers were immovable. So, I put it as his feet and took this picture. I didn't see him move again.
I'm not sure what all of his super-powers are but ramen appears to be his kryptonite. This is just one of those little facts that may seem trivial today but could very well come in handy if you encounter this creature.
At last! The home of the Ramen King!
You would think getting a picture here would be the easiest thing in the world. Well, you would be wrong.
I went inside and a smiling, friendly waitress offered to seat me. I explained that all I really wanted was to get a picture of the Ramen King holding my package of ramen. She stared at me for a moment then ran into the kitchen. I could hear loud excited voices speaking rapid-fire Chinese. All was not what it seemed-- I remembered that it was advertised as a Japanese noodle restaurant. My suspicions were aroused.
After a few moments it quieted down and she peered around the kitchen door. I was still there. Then back in the kitchen and more excited jabbering in Chinese. She finally came back and explained that the manager wasn't there so I couldn't take any pictures. Not there, eh? I doubted it. Perhaps this fabled "Ramen King" didn't really exist, either?
Not one to press the point I graciously stepped outside and found this kind soul to pose with my ramen. I told him if he went inside and could find the Ramen King he would get a free dinner. Oh, and he should not take "no" for an answer as they would try to trick him.
They didn't speak English but they were such good sports they agreed to pose with my ramen. I don't remember exactly how I communicated this with them but it involved some impromptu sign language generally consisting of waving about my camera and my package of ramen.
Two tourists from Japan enjoying a fine day at the beach. I'll bet that neither one of them said that morning, "Hey, let's go to the beach today! Maybe a fellow with ramen will come along and take our picture!"
They might have said it the next day, however.
I struggled with my broken Japanese. I meant to ask, "Would you pose with my ramen?" but I think what actually came out was, "Which train goes to Roppongi?" They posed for a picture anyway. Now they think all Americans are weird. Well, they are right of course.
A great big tree in Ala Moana park. According to legend the spirit of the Ramen King lives inside this tree. People come from all over the world to leave offerings of ramen to him.
I only had one package so I had to order another from...
This is the Domino's Ramen man delivering my package of ramen. Yes, silly, they use roller blades in Hawaii. I thought everyone knew that.
That's Hawaiki Tower in the background.
I got my Microsoft t-shirt from this friendly ukelele player at Crazy Shirts.
It had been his t-shirt but he expanded and became too big for it. Now that I have it I have begun expanding too. At this rate I will soon have to pass it on as well. I suspect the shirt is cursed.
I think the brunette is eyeing my ramen.
A couple of nice, unsuspecting people in front of the yacht harbor.
That's Diamond Head in the background.
If you took anything on this page seriously you probably wouldn't have posed with the ramen either.