LostInOsaka

Whoo, it's been a while since I've written! I've been busy, in a good way, and this is the first time I've really sat down and made time to write. Okay, let's see... last Saturday? I think it was, Jim and I headed off to Kyoto once more, this time without a map or guidebook. Our goal was to find his hotel for during break, which we did quickly, and then just explore. So, wandering around the Gojo - Kujo section of the city, we discovered Nishihonganji, the other temple where the Shinsengumi were based. Also the head temple of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism and still very active today. It was quite awesome. We then headed off again, found a nice park/garden, and eventually ended up at Toji. It's the home of the tallest ... read more

Actually, this was my third AND fourth time in Kyoto, but I'm getting ahead of myself. To put things simply, yesterday sucked. We (the usual suspects) had decided to go back to Kyoto to check out Gion and Pontocho, the two big geisha districts. We waited 'til five when Levi was done with class, joined at the last minute by Sebastian, which was fine. Took the express to Keihan Shijo-eki. No problem. We had decided to check out Yasaka Shrine, Minamiza (or whatever) theater, Ichiriki Teahouse, Gion Corner, and some other places. We went to Yasaka first, and it was really nice. Seeing the shrine all lit up at night was a real treat, and I'm glad we were there to see the lanterns. So that was cool. Then the boys decided they were hungry, so ... read more

Last night we (Zach, Levi, Sebastian and I) went out with Haruna, Madoka and Ayako for karaoke and dinner. We ate at a great little okonomiyaki place... I had pork, and it was really great! I usually hate cabbage, but it didn't taste like cabbage at all. We were stuffed when we finished, I thought Haruna was going to explode! We then headed to "Green," a karaoke bar (club?) that has all-night karaoke and 2-hour nomihodai (all you can drink) for 2,100 Yen. So we did that. (Haruna paid for me since the 5,000 Yen I thought I had in my wallet turned out to be a 1,000. _ I need to pay her back!) I didn't get drunk, although I had a nice buzz for a couple hours. We sang and sang and sang... and ... read more

So, I headed off to Kyoto... not alone as planned, but with Jim because he was going anyway and seemed open to checking out the places I wanted to see. So I was basically in charge. We got on the train at Hirakata-shi, off at Kyoto Shijo Station. From there, it's a good long walk (30 mins?) to Mibu-dera, the first stop on my itinerary. Mibu-dera is the Buddhist temple where the Shinsengumi trained during the Bakumatsu (Revolution). The Shinsengumi were basically a special force charged with maintaining peace and putting down the Isshin rebels. A few of them are buried at Mibu, including the leader, Kondo Isami. We found the temple without too much difficulty, and I must say, I like it a lot! The grounds are small but very well maintained and the temple ... read more

Well, I've been in Japan for a week now, even though the time has flown by and it barely seems real. It's been an adventure from the beginning. Our (Zach and I) flight from Baltimore was cancelled, so we had to get a plane from Reagan International in Washington, D.C. From there it was all smooth sailing, although the flight was very long. I slept most of the time, waking up long enough to catch parts of bad movies and change radio stations on my headphones. Thank god for Jpop and instrumental! We landed at Kansai International and my first thought was, "Oh my god, it's HOT!" I was hoping it was only the airport, but no. Apparenly summers in the Kansai area are brutal. I've been sweating almost non-stop since I got here. The taifun ... read more

This week I mailed all my information/application stuff to the Japanese Consulate in New York so they can send me back my visa. It was pretty scary placing what is essentially my entire life at the moment (passport, certificate of eligibility) into an envelope and giving it to complete strangers. Correction, complete strangers who work for the Postal Service. *shudder* Just kidding! Still, I did insure the package and get tracking/delivery confirmation, so it should be fine. I hope. I just realized that three years ago at this time I was just arriving home from Ireland. I guess I'm feeling a little "homesick," because I really wish I was there right now. Maybe it's because we've had absolutely no rain, and the grass is all dead, and the sky is that hazy color that it gets ... read more