I'm home safe in Rockford, Illinois. And a little bit unhappy about it. I miss Japan. It was a really good experience. But, I missed my mommy and my kitties, so I am glad to be home, too. Quite twisted really, that one can never be satisfied with where they are.
The day Brian and I left for Narita Airport we had a train episode. The trains are ridiculously crowded going into the city during rush hour (7AM), so it gets pretty crazy. At Ueno, where we were supposed to get off, there was a huge swarm of people who tripped over Brian's bag and pushed him out of the train with them, and me INTO the mass of people on the train. Doors closed. Yes, I was stuck in the train. I had to go two stops before I could manage to get off and catch a train back to Ueno, where-fortunately-Brian was waiting for me. It was a little frantic, but we successfully got to Narita airport, picked up our bags, caught our plane, and headed to Chicago. The flight was long, 11 and a half hours. Pretty quick for a Japan to States flight, but long none the less. I watched a few movies and slept. It wasn't so horrible. I had practice after my 12 hour train rides, haha.
Customs was inefficient and annoying as expected. I hated coming back to the inefficiency and rudeness of the states. I miss everyone being nice all the time. Customs took over an hour, as only one person was working for the citizens side (3 on the visitors.)
Brian and I grabbed lunch at some little shop and lugged my bags to by bus/shuttle center two terminals away. We managed to drop of his bags for his next flight to Baltimore. That was great. I took the bus home. He took his plane home. A long day of traveling.
So I'm back. Meaning this is the end of this blog.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, everyone. I will post a link for the rest of the uploaded pictures as soon as they are up. It's 5 gigs, it could take a little bit of time.
Thanks again!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Owari
This will be my last post in Japan. We leave the Aizuya Inn to take a plethera of public transportation vehicles to get back to the states. My flight leaves Narita Airport at noon... and I'll be home at 9.30 AM. I get to go back in time; that's kinda cool.
Yesteray Brian and I went to the Ghibli Museum- the one that displays all of Miyazaki's films and shtuff. I really liked it. I took pictures of the stained glass windows even though I wasn't supposed to. I don't like that the don't let you take pictures just so they can make you buy things from the gift shop. I'd do that anyway, but my money supply is not limitless and this trip was expensive!
We stopped at Akihabara on the way home and I bought the game I've been wanting to play on the plane home. It's a little drum game, designed after a big arcade game that I like.
It's been a jazz. I love it here. Time to go home now.
Yesteray Brian and I went to the Ghibli Museum- the one that displays all of Miyazaki's films and shtuff. I really liked it. I took pictures of the stained glass windows even though I wasn't supposed to. I don't like that the don't let you take pictures just so they can make you buy things from the gift shop. I'd do that anyway, but my money supply is not limitless and this trip was expensive!
We stopped at Akihabara on the way home and I bought the game I've been wanting to play on the plane home. It's a little drum game, designed after a big arcade game that I like.
It's been a jazz. I love it here. Time to go home now.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Return to Tokyo
Okay! It's been awhile!
So! Osaka was a good time. Brian and I just wandered around for awhile.
The next day, we took the train to Kyoto to see a big float festival. I wore my yukata; it was fun. I think that there is some unwritten law that women must become excessively proficient at tying obi when they reach a certain age. I still suck at tying mine, so I went down to the lobby and asked one of the ladies at the front desk to help. She was young, and so therefore was horrible at it. But, while she was failing, several middle-aged women kind of appeared out of nowhere and starting milling around us. Now, in the states this would be rather akin to the women leaning up against me going "I know how... Want me to help? I can help, you know..." Eventually the younger woman just got out of the way and the older lady just did her thing in about 20 seconds. Then she just wandered away, lol.
In Kyoto, I thought that we might have missed the parade, but fortunately, we showed up right in the middle of it. It's amazing these men carry or pull huge floats for miles. I was very popular... because I was gaijin in proper yukata dress. I think I probably ended up in a few newspapers with the hundreds of pictures that journalists and other random people took.
That night, in Osaka, Brian and I met up with Yuko and Naoko for dinner. It was really good to see them again before we leave Japan. The hotel was very nice. The room was big for a Japanese hotel.
The next day it was time for the world's longest train ride. We took four 3-hour trains up to Sapporo in Hokkaido. I was okay for the first nine, then it really started to wear on me. We checked in to our comfy little hotel spent the first night just wandered around a little.
We went to the Sapporo zoo, which was a little sad, honestly. The animals seemed cramped. I did enjoy petting the bunnies, though. We went to the Sapporo Factory, which is really just like a big shopping mall. There was some version on Japanese Idol going on there, which was fun to watch. We ate dinner at the factory and tried a couple of their beers. Also, we went to the Sapporo Museum and learned about how they make it and everything.
After that we took a train journey to Noboribetsu- the land of hot springs. We went to an amazing aquarium there that was in a building like a castle. Then we went up the mountain to Hell Valley, which is the major sulfur producing rocks that causing all the water to heat. We walked out on the bridge over it and I took lots of pictures. One of them is of Brian looking very unhappy about the smell of sulfur. Haha. We walked on the trails in the woods, too. We finally went to a hot spring in a hotel. It was in this really cool private little room with the bath constantly flowing out like a waterfall. It was so relaxing. We had dinner in a little ramen shop and took the train back to Sapporo.
For our last day in Hokkaido, we went to thr zoo in Asahikawa. It's supposed to be an amazing zoo. It was pretty cool, but it made me realize that a zoo on an island in the middle of the ocean can never live up to the aquariums. All the big cats were sleeping right up against the glass/bars, which I really liked.
Then we took a special train to Farm Tomita in Furano. It has fields and fields of absolutely beautiful flowers. They are also famous for acres of lavender fields. I tired lavender ice cream, too. It was delicious. They also had rows and rows of melon plants. I loved it there. Pictures when I get home, because it was so great.
We took the train into main Furano when it got dark and stopped at a pizza place. Now, Japanese pizza is not American pizza. We had a curry sauce with mayonaise, cheese, onions and peppers. It was crazy and awesome. We also stopped in a bar when we had nothing to do until the train came, and it turned out to be owned by a guy for Pennsylvania who had moved to Japan teaching English with the Jet program. It was funny. We caught the train back to Sapporo and wandered Susukino for a little while before going to the hotel.
Today we took three 3 hour trains to Ueno and stopped there for dinner and street wandering, and now we're back in the ryokan we originally stayed in Tokyo.
Tomorrow we go the Ghibli Museum. That's the quick run- it's been very annoying not having a computer, lol. I'm addicted to technology.
So! Osaka was a good time. Brian and I just wandered around for awhile.
The next day, we took the train to Kyoto to see a big float festival. I wore my yukata; it was fun. I think that there is some unwritten law that women must become excessively proficient at tying obi when they reach a certain age. I still suck at tying mine, so I went down to the lobby and asked one of the ladies at the front desk to help. She was young, and so therefore was horrible at it. But, while she was failing, several middle-aged women kind of appeared out of nowhere and starting milling around us. Now, in the states this would be rather akin to the women leaning up against me going "I know how... Want me to help? I can help, you know..." Eventually the younger woman just got out of the way and the older lady just did her thing in about 20 seconds. Then she just wandered away, lol.
In Kyoto, I thought that we might have missed the parade, but fortunately, we showed up right in the middle of it. It's amazing these men carry or pull huge floats for miles. I was very popular... because I was gaijin in proper yukata dress. I think I probably ended up in a few newspapers with the hundreds of pictures that journalists and other random people took.
That night, in Osaka, Brian and I met up with Yuko and Naoko for dinner. It was really good to see them again before we leave Japan. The hotel was very nice. The room was big for a Japanese hotel.
The next day it was time for the world's longest train ride. We took four 3-hour trains up to Sapporo in Hokkaido. I was okay for the first nine, then it really started to wear on me. We checked in to our comfy little hotel spent the first night just wandered around a little.
We went to the Sapporo zoo, which was a little sad, honestly. The animals seemed cramped. I did enjoy petting the bunnies, though. We went to the Sapporo Factory, which is really just like a big shopping mall. There was some version on Japanese Idol going on there, which was fun to watch. We ate dinner at the factory and tried a couple of their beers. Also, we went to the Sapporo Museum and learned about how they make it and everything.
After that we took a train journey to Noboribetsu- the land of hot springs. We went to an amazing aquarium there that was in a building like a castle. Then we went up the mountain to Hell Valley, which is the major sulfur producing rocks that causing all the water to heat. We walked out on the bridge over it and I took lots of pictures. One of them is of Brian looking very unhappy about the smell of sulfur. Haha. We walked on the trails in the woods, too. We finally went to a hot spring in a hotel. It was in this really cool private little room with the bath constantly flowing out like a waterfall. It was so relaxing. We had dinner in a little ramen shop and took the train back to Sapporo.
For our last day in Hokkaido, we went to thr zoo in Asahikawa. It's supposed to be an amazing zoo. It was pretty cool, but it made me realize that a zoo on an island in the middle of the ocean can never live up to the aquariums. All the big cats were sleeping right up against the glass/bars, which I really liked.
Then we took a special train to Farm Tomita in Furano. It has fields and fields of absolutely beautiful flowers. They are also famous for acres of lavender fields. I tired lavender ice cream, too. It was delicious. They also had rows and rows of melon plants. I loved it there. Pictures when I get home, because it was so great.
We took the train into main Furano when it got dark and stopped at a pizza place. Now, Japanese pizza is not American pizza. We had a curry sauce with mayonaise, cheese, onions and peppers. It was crazy and awesome. We also stopped in a bar when we had nothing to do until the train came, and it turned out to be owned by a guy for Pennsylvania who had moved to Japan teaching English with the Jet program. It was funny. We caught the train back to Sapporo and wandered Susukino for a little while before going to the hotel.
Today we took three 3 hour trains to Ueno and stopped there for dinner and street wandering, and now we're back in the ryokan we originally stayed in Tokyo.
Tomorrow we go the Ghibli Museum. That's the quick run- it's been very annoying not having a computer, lol. I'm addicted to technology.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Osaka
Successful, safe arrival in Osaka. I am currently stealing wifi from an Internet cafe on Brian's iPod. The hotel is very posh, as it should be for what we are paying.
Tomorrow we go to Kyoto for the Yamaboko junko, a big parade.
We leave for Sapporo on Friday. Hopefully I will be able to update then.
(dictated by Gloria and typed by Brian)
Tomorrow we go to Kyoto for the Yamaboko junko, a big parade.
We leave for Sapporo on Friday. Hopefully I will be able to update then.
(dictated by Gloria and typed by Brian)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hiroshima
Yesterday, Brian and I packed up and went to the hospital to get his antibiotics (and be harrassed by a french guy who kept telling us what to do.) Then it was off to the train station to leave for Hiroshima. The trip on the shinkansen was fun. If you like to look at scenery, those trains are for you. I took lots of pictures. But I can't post them: my usb adapter is elsewhere.
When we got to Hiroshima, we checked into our hotel: Hotel 28, and headed up to our room on the 10th floor. It's a nice little room with two twin beds and a nice shower and bath tub. I took a bath, watched some bad TV and went to bed.
Today, we got up early. The hotel resturaunt offered 2 meals for breakfast: American and Japanese. Given my dislike for fish and miso in the morning, I chose the eggs, toast, salad, and yogurt with an odd Qoo like juice and coffee. This, apparantly is what all Americans eat each morning.
Then we walked to Hiroshima castle. It was very hot outside (I know, I know southern Japan) but I enjoyed myself. The shrine was very pretty and we got our Shodo books signed. The castle was rather like a museum. It was free for foreign students studying in Japan, but I forgot my Shoin library card and had to pay the three dollars or so.
After that, we took the train to the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Hiroshima Peace Museum. The dome is fascinating. Because the atomic bomb exploded almost directly above it, a fair amount of the structure is still standing. The Museum was very sad but very interesting. The gardens and other memorials were beautiful, too.
We also went to Miyajima Island. We got to take the ferry across the ocean and it was so pretty! The island was amazing. We stopped at a really interesting shrine on stilts above the water and had our books signed again. We also went to the Aquarium. It was only one floor, but it was great! There were all sorts of crazy fish and eels and other things. Shark, otters, manatees, and jelly fish! They even had piranna. It's supposed to be one of the best Aquariums in Japan.
For dinner, Brian wanted to try Hiroshima-style Okinomiyaki. It has noodles in it. I really liked it. Right now, we're sitting in this awesome Manga Cafe. It's full of tons of manga, and we have our own little room with a couch, compiter, adn TV. Oh, and two pairs of slippers. This could serve as a hotel room if we were to run short on money. Haha, just kidding.
Tomorrow we leave for Osaka.
When we got to Hiroshima, we checked into our hotel: Hotel 28, and headed up to our room on the 10th floor. It's a nice little room with two twin beds and a nice shower and bath tub. I took a bath, watched some bad TV and went to bed.
Today, we got up early. The hotel resturaunt offered 2 meals for breakfast: American and Japanese. Given my dislike for fish and miso in the morning, I chose the eggs, toast, salad, and yogurt with an odd Qoo like juice and coffee. This, apparantly is what all Americans eat each morning.
Then we walked to Hiroshima castle. It was very hot outside (I know, I know southern Japan) but I enjoyed myself. The shrine was very pretty and we got our Shodo books signed. The castle was rather like a museum. It was free for foreign students studying in Japan, but I forgot my Shoin library card and had to pay the three dollars or so.
After that, we took the train to the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Hiroshima Peace Museum. The dome is fascinating. Because the atomic bomb exploded almost directly above it, a fair amount of the structure is still standing. The Museum was very sad but very interesting. The gardens and other memorials were beautiful, too.
We also went to Miyajima Island. We got to take the ferry across the ocean and it was so pretty! The island was amazing. We stopped at a really interesting shrine on stilts above the water and had our books signed again. We also went to the Aquarium. It was only one floor, but it was great! There were all sorts of crazy fish and eels and other things. Shark, otters, manatees, and jelly fish! They even had piranna. It's supposed to be one of the best Aquariums in Japan.
For dinner, Brian wanted to try Hiroshima-style Okinomiyaki. It has noodles in it. I really liked it. Right now, we're sitting in this awesome Manga Cafe. It's full of tons of manga, and we have our own little room with a couch, compiter, adn TV. Oh, and two pairs of slippers. This could serve as a hotel room if we were to run short on money. Haha, just kidding.
Tomorrow we leave for Osaka.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Tokyo Tower
Today I left Brian to sleep and headed to Ueno (yesterday I wandered around Minami-senju and got lost, lol, but I figured it out.) I bought a few things, enjoyed fresh pineapple on a stick, and got laughed at for taking a picture of massive octopus tentacles soaking in their own blood. I even found a Mr. Dount. :)
Upon heading home, however, my train decided not to move for an hour. Since I can't understand the eki voice anyway, I just kind of sat there and chatted with this impatient old lady, which was kind of funny. When I got back, Brian and I headed for Harajuku to take pictures of the crazy dressed up kids. There were a fair few for late Sunday afternoon. Pictures later. We had dinner at the Japanese/Chinese place, and I failed to correctly identify the pork buns I like. Sucky.
After that, we took the train to Akabanebashi to see Tokyo Tower at night. It was pretty. We went up to the special viewing place waaay up high and I could see the ferris wheel across the city. I liked it. Unfortunately, nothing magical happened like in all the animes and I was not instantly transported to a magical world. Eh, guess you can't have everything.
Tomorrow we leave on our first shinkansen for Hiroshima. It's very exciting!
Upon heading home, however, my train decided not to move for an hour. Since I can't understand the eki voice anyway, I just kind of sat there and chatted with this impatient old lady, which was kind of funny. When I got back, Brian and I headed for Harajuku to take pictures of the crazy dressed up kids. There were a fair few for late Sunday afternoon. Pictures later. We had dinner at the Japanese/Chinese place, and I failed to correctly identify the pork buns I like. Sucky.
After that, we took the train to Akabanebashi to see Tokyo Tower at night. It was pretty. We went up to the special viewing place waaay up high and I could see the ferris wheel across the city. I liked it. Unfortunately, nothing magical happened like in all the animes and I was not instantly transported to a magical world. Eh, guess you can't have everything.
Tomorrow we leave on our first shinkansen for Hiroshima. It's very exciting!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Hitori De Tokyo (Tokyo Alone)
Paul and Jason left early this morning, and Brian has an evil fever, so it seems I will be exploring Tokyo alone today. Likely I will go to Ueno because it is only 3 train stops away and has a rapid straight there. Unless Brian miraculously gets better this weekend, we will go to back to St. Lucas Hospital on Monday and leave for Hiroshima on later that day. I will destroy Becca for getting me sick and causing this dilemma.
Paul and I asked this girl on the train to take a picture with us. Wonder where she was going... We didn't want to bother her anymore to ask.
Japan decided it was annoying to have watermelons rolling around in people's refridgerators... so they made cubed ones by growing them in glass boxes. Be forewarned... they cost a pretty penny! This one is around 100 dollars.
This was at the last party- I got to sit with all people I really liked, and I was happy about it.
Paul and I asked this girl on the train to take a picture with us. Wonder where she was going... We didn't want to bother her anymore to ask.
Japan decided it was annoying to have watermelons rolling around in people's refridgerators... so they made cubed ones by growing them in glass boxes. Be forewarned... they cost a pretty penny! This one is around 100 dollars.
This was at the last party- I got to sit with all people I really liked, and I was happy about it.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Big City Woes Without the Underground
I've come to the conclusion that every city center of Tokyo (all 3 million or so of them) are the same. Except for Shibuya in that it has the Scramble intersection- the busiest in the world. It's pretty insane.
Now that I'm feeling better, I want to get out of the spotlight and wander the side alleys. Well, those are pretty big streets, too, lol.
Paul and Jason head back to the states tomorrow. Doesn't seem like they had enough time to get out of the big intersections... sad.
Today we all went to Harajuku and Shibuya.
I still can't do anything in the evening because I'm tired. I hope that changes soon.
Now that I'm feeling better, I want to get out of the spotlight and wander the side alleys. Well, those are pretty big streets, too, lol.
Paul and Jason head back to the states tomorrow. Doesn't seem like they had enough time to get out of the big intersections... sad.
Today we all went to Harajuku and Shibuya.
I still can't do anything in the evening because I'm tired. I hope that changes soon.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Shabu Shabu
Things have been winding down here, and at the same time you can feel the tension sliding around under everyone's skin. No one wants to go home. Fortunately, I am one of the lucky few who gets to stave off returning to the states for a couple more weeks. Because my parents love me. However, I am thoroughly full of classtime and will be pleased to have the next month free. My sensei promised we wouldn't have a final, but she lied so the lot of us are currently cramming lists and speeches into our brains. Today is the last day of class, and my oral final is at 10. Then I'm finished.
Yesterday I went to lunch at the tonkatsu resturaunt and then went shopping with Brian. I must say we are in a country that caters to smaller sized people...with no boobs. I did however find a very cute dress. It's white. In the evening, I went with Jim, Marissa, Robin, Andy, Paul, Saori, Tomoe, Christi, and Kris to Shabu shabu. Think a giant pot of boilind water that you cook meat and vegetables in. It's very fun, but I think I like yakiniku better. Food is fun here.
The Fish Brian and I won out of the UFO claw machine. Jim doesn't like my fish anymore because there are pictures of him holding it.
Dinner in Osaka some other night
Fireworks
Tying Lisa's Yukata Obi
Yesterday I went to lunch at the tonkatsu resturaunt and then went shopping with Brian. I must say we are in a country that caters to smaller sized people...with no boobs. I did however find a very cute dress. It's white. In the evening, I went with Jim, Marissa, Robin, Andy, Paul, Saori, Tomoe, Christi, and Kris to Shabu shabu. Think a giant pot of boilind water that you cook meat and vegetables in. It's very fun, but I think I like yakiniku better. Food is fun here.
The Fish Brian and I won out of the UFO claw machine. Jim doesn't like my fish anymore because there are pictures of him holding it.
Dinner in Osaka some other night
Fireworks
Tying Lisa's Yukata Obi
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