Japan

Home Safe

2008-07-26T16:10:00.002+09:00

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!

Owari

2008-07-24T07:53:00.004+09:00

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.

Return to Tokyo

2008-07-23T00:13:00.003+09:00

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.

Osaka

2008-07-16T17:02:00.003+09:00

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)

Hiroshima

2008-07-15T21:42:00.002+09:00

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.

Tokyo Tower

2008-07-13T23:45:00.006+09:00

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!

Hitori De Tokyo (Tokyo Alone)

2008-07-12T10:13:00.004+09:00

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.

Big City Woes Without the Underground

2008-07-11T21:52:00.003+09:00

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.

Shabu Shabu

2008-07-03T08:36:00.003+09:00

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

Another Week Past

2008-06-30T20:00:00.003+09:00

Days fly by here. Last week we did flower arranging (sado) and went to a high school. I'm getting a bit tired of being paraded around as an American, but apart from that I enjoy the excursions.

This past weekend I had another homestay, this one in Nara. I have to say that I generally did not have a good time. First of all, my host parents (having no children at home) didn't really seem to have an interest in me. Second, and more importantly, another girl from my trip went with me. I was classroom friends with her until we came on this abroad trip, and now she has become one of the most annoyingly idiotic people I have ever met. She wouldn't even attempt to speak Japanese; she treated our host parents like they were stupid; she complained the entire time about everything, including having tonsilitis again. Despite these complaints, upon returning to the kaikan, she refused to go to the doctor because if she takes antibiotics, she won't be able to drink. They last time she thought it would be a clever idea to do so, one our professors had a good scream at her. In essence, she ruined it for me. I think it wasn't -me- that Miwako and Chido had no interest in...but it's impossible for the Japanese to extend an offer of return to one and not the other. We did go to a nice temple and museum. I enjoyed that and the food. They kindly paid for everything.

Upon returning, I was terribly angry after holding it in for three days, so Marissa, Steven, Brian, and I went to the arcade and played with the clas machines. I love those things. We won lots of things... I probably spent 1000yen, which is pretty low for one of those place. That night I was hyperactive from not enjoying myself all weekend, so I took the opportunity to steal Jim's keys... and start a commotion. Naturally it was amusing as more people got involved. Then a lot of people played cards with me. A lot of people that I really enjoy spending time with. It was very fun.

Today was sensei ginko (teacher bank = pay day.) We get $200 (20000yen) every monday.

Class is going well. I should get an A.

I like it very much here. The streets are clean. People are always polite to one another. Everyone respects everything. No one ever steals (people don't lock up there bikes.) It's just a nice atmosphere that everyone should experience.

Today we went to an elementary school. The children were excited. Generally, we were paraded around again, but I didn't mind so much.

Kyoto and Nishinomiya

2008-06-24T12:04:00.005+09:00

On Thursday we were all carted of the Kyoto to stay in a ryokan (traditional inn) and go see temples and castles. Now I like temples as much as the next person, but when you see a large amount in one day they tend to run together. I bought a shodo book for all the monks to sign. That was fun. Kyoto is full of foreigners speaking english. That, I didn't like. Anyway, I didn't get much sleep because ryokan paper walls don't really shield against the sounds of yelling. A lot of people didn't agree with me that we should sleep. Meh. Cindy didn't come to Kyoto because she sprained her ankle climbing out onto the roof while drunk... Wow. Becca came up with tonsilitis and woke me up at 6 with her crying. I had to run around trying to convey to the inkeepers that I needed a fever reducer... apparantly tylenol and i b profin don't exist. Mine was at the kaikan.

After seeing the temple plated with gold, we took the train back to Rokkomichi. I went to Sannomiya instead to get Brian some little presents for his birthday. I came back very tired and exchanged presents with him. He set up a surprise party. Very sweet. The cakes were lovely. Unfortunately within ten minutes Chris had broken glass there was alcohol all over my presents and I was pissed. I didn't really want a crazy drinking party... I didn't really want people who I didn't like to be at my birthday...and I wanted people to at least acknowledge that it was in fact my birthday. In other words: I wanted to be the center of attention. Apparantly the aim was just to drink that night, so I took my things and went to bed. I do very much appreciate that Brian took all the effort to set it up. It was very fun until all those drinky people that I don't much like showed up.

The next day was actually my birthday, thanks to those who wished me a happy one. That evening I went to Nishinomiya for my first home stay. I went late because my family couldn't recieve me until 5:30, so Aiko played cards with me until then. My host mother Masuko picked me up at the train station. She sounded like she was angry with Aiko, but it turned out she was just very apologetic for being about 2 minutes late. Lol. She's really awesome. Her husband, Hitoshi, was very nice, too. They live in a little condo in Sakurashuugawa (I think), and she wants me to come back in Spring to see the blossoms. Anyway, she showed me my room and gave me tea and cake. She was wearing a kimono. She's extremely good at english. Anyway, She loves me, which is fantastic because I love her. We went out to dinner with Masuko's father and their friend. Everyone seemed to be very pleased that I was turning twenty (the techincal drinking age here) so they decided we should have champange and white wine. Not to mention Hitoshi spoke much more (and much more english) when he had some alcohol in his system. Masuko works in a disabled childrens' school, which I suppose would explain her incredible patience with me and my japanese difficulties. They've invited me to come back whenever I like. They most common phrase during my whole stay was うれしい！！ (I'm so proud/happy!!) It was very encouraging. The bed was comfy and it was nice to go to sleep with no one screaming in the background. She loved the glass blue birds I gave her. Apparantly blue birds are lucky here.

When I came back to the kaikan on Sunday, I brought Masuko with me because she wanted to help me with my yukata for the festival. She was also very unhappy that she had missed a chance to buy me a yukata (which was why I didn't tell her about it until the last minute.) She ended up helping everyone and finally, putting on my other yukata and coming with us. It was very fun! Especially because she knows everything about it. I think she would be a wonderful mother.

Later Brian and I went to play with the UFO machines. Like the claw machines at home, but slightly more expensive... and they work; you actually win stuff which gives you the incentive to keep trying. What a surprise. We won a gigantic stuffed fish. And a baby fish. And a few other things. It was very fun.

Yesterday we got dragged to Shoin high school after class. I don't much like these tihngs where they parade us around and use us for our english skills. We had to listen to the girls' presentations (in english) and correct them. Then the walked us around the campus so that the girls can scream, giggle, and take pictures with us... Yeah.... After that we went out to dinner in Sannomiya for Brian's birthday (Sunday) sort of, but the same thing happened that happened at my party. A ton of uninvited people showed up. Even though we had a reservation. Le sigh. The place was fun though. It was called the Lock Up. You sit in these cell-like rooms and occassionally monsters come running through to scare you... or high-five you, depending on your response to them. They gave Brian and I each a piece of cake with our names on it for our birthday, and a card each. Except for some reason they took our birthday cards back and replaced them with Happy Anniversary. And they spelled my name Grolia. Well.. Guroria can be confusing if you don't know my actual name... I thought it was funny.

2008-06-17T08:47:00.002+09:00

あした、じゅぎょうのあとで、あやかちゃんに会ったつもりでちたけど私はねついたから、会いなかったです。

Osaka Weekend

2008-06-16T08:19:00.002+09:00

先しゅうまつはとても楽しいかった。私はあやかちゃんにあそんだつもりだったけどあやかちゃんのお父さんはびょうきでしたから、会わない。日がさがほしで三宮のラフトで日がさを買った。くろいだ。

The above is mostly a lie. It's the regular speech I have to make up to give to my teacher everyday.

This past weekend was fun. I spent a lot of time in Osaka. I hung out with Ayaka and Jim and Brian mostly. I'm quite tired for some reason, and I can't seem to remember what I did. Homework and running around probably occupied most of that time. Ayaka taught me basic kendo when we caught Jim practicing (poorly) in the lounge. Apparently I'm a natural. She helped him, too.
I've been trying lots of new foods. I don't like pork here any more than I do at home, though. I like chickenkatsu instead of tonkatsu (think tasty breaded chicken and pork). We had okinomiyaki last night- vegetable pancakes.

My successful purchase for the weekend was a parasol. It's called a higasa. Hi means sun and kasa means umbrella, so quite literally it means sun umbrella. They're very popular here because it's so hot. I've been looking for one for a while. Most people carry black ones, so I just copied. It's nice. Pictures later.

Let's Try to Actually Learn Japanese.

2008-06-13T13:35:00.003+09:00

きのう、日本語のクラスでべんきょする後で、私はしょいん大学せえが専門の英語と会った。好きだ。楽しいかったです。そうして、私とブライくんはかいかんに帰りた。みんなは飲みほうだいに行った。わかた？

After class yesterday, we went up to meet the english majors at shoin. They were so excited. My boobs got stared at a lot.　By girls. It was rather odd. They asked me how American women get such big boobs. I said genes... or plastic surgery. Anyway, it was fun. Later, we went to a nomihoudai- which is basically an all you can eat all you can drink shindig. Considering we have no classes on fridays, it works out just fine. It was crazy and ridiculously fun. Drunk Japanese are funnnny.

Today: we go to Osaka to see a castle and then to でんでんtown. It's an electronics street of joy. It should be fun.

At the Baseball Game on Wednesday

At Nomihoudai

A Couple of Photos!

2008-06-10T16:14:00.003+09:00

Actually, Paul took these and I'm just stealing them from facebook. ^-^ I'll upload later.

Yakiniku Tabehoudai!! All you can eat cook it yourself meat!

At Shoin University

Ayaka is at the very bottom here.

Today we went to a Sake Brewery Museum. I like my class. There are only seven people in it so we get lots of attention. I'm learning much faster than at home. Hopefully tonight I will get to hang out with Ayaka and Miki (another girl I met at the university.) I've noticed that I like the japanese girls, but if Americans acted like they did, I'd hate them. I guess it's the novelty.

Ayaka-chan

2008-06-08T12:09:00.000+09:00

So quick update to be filled in later: I met my language partner. Her name is 彩加　(Ayaka) and she's awesome. We manage to communicate okay despite my excessive deficiency in Japanese.

I've Been Awake　For 27 Hours

2008-06-06T23:47:00.000+09:00

And I need to learn that the apostrophe on the Japanese keyboard is shift-7. Odd.

The plane ride over was as eventful as a 13 hours flight can be. I sat between Brian and Bec-chan. be. I sat between Brian and Bec-chan. It was much better than American flights, I'll admit.
I read, watched a movie, had trouble sleeping (yes, on a moving vehicle!!,) played games on the television thing in the back of the seat in front of me, and ran around the plane. I snagged some chocolates from first class when none of the stewardesses were watching. Yummy! The food was very good: two real meals and lots of drinks and snacks. Once we finished our two plane rides and bus ride, we checked out our neat little rooms and went to the grocery store. I]ll discuss that tomorrow. It's late. No pictures yet, because the internet is being whiny.

New York City

2008-06-05T10:40:00.002+09:00

After Carl spent a few days helping me out with prepping all my stuff for Japan, and of course, being constant companions with me :), I met Brian on the Amtrak train today and took it up to the city. I slept the whole way there. Ha. Then we took a shuttle, then a bus, then a taxi to our hotel. It's a nice little room. And it's free because Brian's Dad found a cheaper price for the room than given. (Find a cheaper price and it's free!) And it has free wi-fi which allows me to talk to you lovely people.

You can reach me on skype or aim; just remember that it's a fourteen hour time difference with Japan ahead of central. So your best bet to find me will be around 5 to 7 pm. (Before I have class at 9 am.)

Packing!

2008-06-04T04:08:00.001+09:00

I leave for New York tomorrow on Amtrak, and then the next day I will have the pleasure of a 12+ hour flight to Japan. Hopefully I'll have some crazy pictures and stories for you people on here.

I'm nearly packed, and amazingly, I am not going to have to sit on my suitcase in order to close it. :P

Updated a least once a week, but likely more often because I'm a blogging addict.

Ja.