Blogs from Japan, Asia - page 923

Today a typhoon has hit sections of Japan. My first class of the semester has been canceled. After sitting in class for about 45 minutes this announcement came on over the intercom. “Due to high wind warning all classes are cancelled immediately including those now in session. Go home immediately and remain indoors.” Thankfully, the storm will not cross over Osaka, but others have not been as lucky. AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press TOKYO - A powerful typhoon plowed into southern Japan on Monday, sweeping at least four people to their deaths and injuring 30 others. Torrential rains and strong wind toppled trees and telephone poles and forced a Vietnamese cargo ship carrying 20 crew to run aground. Typhoon Chaba, one of the year's strongest storms, churned north packing sustained winds of 89 miles per hour, Japan's ... read more

   I started off the day, sans breakfast, by walking in extremely humid weather in semi-formal attire.  That was not pleasant.  However, the day was a good one.  The opening ceremonies were about what I expected.  Most of the international students at Kansai Gaidai are from the United States (about 2/3), with the others being from other scattered countries.  I don't have any pictures from the opening ceremony, since I didn't bring my camera, but a friend I made on the trip to Kyoto said that he'd e-mail me his pictures of the orientation, as well as from Osaka (yesterday).  I, therefore, shall update both when I receive them.  At the ceremony were the Consulates-General of the United States and Australia, respectively, as well as all of the students, professors, and the president of Kansai Gaidai.      Afterwards, there ... read more

I’m an American; I’m not used to walking quite this much. It takes approximately 20 minutes, perhaps longer, to reach the Kansai Gaidai campus from the dormitories. I have to go and come with others, because I have no sense of direction and haven’t learned the way yet. I got lost twice yesterday while trying to find my way back. Fortunately, Japan is very safe, so I’m not terribly worried about that. I still see little kids outside when it’s getting dark. I walked to the campus with a couple of other people, and thus I ate breakfast in the cafeteria. It wasn’t anything to write home about, but the taste was mild enough, such that even those who dislike the flavor could eat it. I preferred the food that I got at the bakery the ... read more

After a long, long flight on the amazing Boeing 777, and a 90 minute charter bus trip to Hirakata City from Kansai International Airport in Osaka, I am finally in Japan.  I arrived at the school at around 5:30pm, Osaka time.  The plane ride was long, but at least it was on a 777.  We got about 4 meals, and there were TV screens on the back of each chair.  When I arrived, it was cloudy, as it had been raining all day.  Osaka, a the moment, is quite warm and extremely humid.  When I was riding on the charter bus from the airport, I had a very surreal feeling. Thoughts such as, "Going 500 miles per hour, it would still take me 17 hours to get home."  Compared the the large American cities I've visited, ... read more

One of world heritage sites, Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima.... read more