Wednesday, November 30, 2005
11/30/05We only had three sessions of Japanese class this morning because we had a tour in the afternoon. We got to go visit the Kirin Beer Garden in Yokohama, which was pretty cool. Not because we got to see how beer is made, we got to drink it. After the tour we rode back to Mukogaokayuen and I made myself dinner. After dinner I was pretty tired, so I went off to take a nap and didn’t wake until the next day.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
11/29/05Today we had the normal four sessions of Japanese and then had orientation for leaving Japan afterwards back at the dorm. They told us all the stuff we needed to do before we left and how to get everything to the airport. Since it is sometimes hard to take your entire luggage with you to the airport, they have a service that comes and picks up your luggage for you. You pick up your luggage at the airport and then you're on your way. It takes about an hour and half to get to the airport by train and costs around 3,000 yen. Also, I found out that United has a rule that if your luggage is over 20 kg, you have to pay 23,000 yen. Yes, that’s right, $230! Ahh!
After orientation I took a really long nap till around 9:00 p.m. and then went to Shinjuku with Ben to take pictures for my Japanese project. While we were there we stopped at the Saizeriya to have some dinner and then took random pictures around town. We got stopped by a couple of drunken business men and women and we talked to them for awhile until we had to go our separate ways at the station. In a way it was kind of creepy, but at the same time it was funny as well.
We rode the train back to Mukogaokayuen and then walked back to the dorm. I worked on my project some more and surfed the internet and chatted until about 5:00 a.m. until I finally decided a little sleep before class would be nice.
Monday, November 28, 2005
11/28/05I had four sessions of Japanese in the morning and then we had our business presentation in the afternoon. The schedule said that it started at 2:00 p.m., but when we got to the classroom the time changed to forty minutes later. I could have taken a nap in that time, but oh well.
We gave our presentation and it went rather well. But after we gave it we had second thoughts, but by then it was too late to change anything, so we just didn't worry about it anymore.
After class I went back to the dorm and made my last box of macaroni and cheese for dinner and then took a nap until the "slumber party" started in our room. All the girls in the dorm were invited along with Joe, who was gay, so no one really cared. We played a lot of fun games and had a really fun time. My room mate Chen Li was sick and wanted to go to bed, so we continued the party downstairs in the women's shower room and for some reason some of the guys joined us a well, but no one really cared.
The women's shower room is divided into many parts. First there is the sink area when you enter and then the wooden floor with cubby holes to put your clothes in while you shower. Then there is another separate room for the eight shower stalls or so. The boys were quite jealous because they only have two shower stalls and a bath. The girl's shower room on the other hand has many more plus a heated floor and cubby holes. So it’s not just in America where they go greater lengths to make things nicer for women. The party continued on the heated floor of the women's shower room and we later realized that we should have gone there in the first place because it was a much nicer and larger space to hang out together.
We weren't the only ones having a party. In fact two separate parties were going on as well. A bunch of the boys played drinking games and then there was a sudo-dance party down in the cafeteria until that got broken up. They went off to a friend's house to continue the partying while we went down to the shower room. The guys party broke off somewhere around that time as well. I guess we were all just so excited that we had no more business classes and all decided to celebrate it in our own ways. Unfortunately we all celebrated it on a Monday night and had class the next morning.
After all the fun was to be had on a Monday night slumber party, I went off to bed somewhere around 3:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
11/27/05I woke up later on in the afternoon. A lot of people decided to go to Akihabara today, and I had planned on leaving with them, but ended up meeting them there later. By the time I got to Akihabara, everyone had left except for Ben who met me at the train station. We went to the same really awesome ramen place for dinner and then did some walking and shopping around Akihabara.
They had an X-Box 360 set up with demos and videos that you could play. I played the demo for "Kameo - Elements of Power" and it was rather fun. I’m usually not into fantasy-type games except for "Warcraft" and "Final Fantasy" games, but this one could also become an exception. But then again I’ve also played "Diablo" and "Fable," so I guess I’m not too far off... Even so, I think I will get it when I get back. I also watched a few other demos of games that I planned on buying and planned on not buying because they weren’t all that good. I would probably rent them, but they weren't worth a buy. We also found an import shop that had console games from America, Europe, and other Asian countries. They had an X-Box 360 for sale (the American version), but they were all sold out. I really wished I could have bought one then and there, but after I remembered all the problems they are having with the X-Box 360, maybe it was just never meant to be. But I did buy a stuffed goomba pillow from "Super Mario Brothers" though, and it was surprisingly cheap. Score!
We found a lot more scary and interesting stores while walking around. We found an advertisement for a maid bar, but when we read "Hando - 1,000 yen" we decided that's all we needed to know. We also found a store that sold "high-quality" sex dolls. It was a little strange because the store was completely empty and there was no one at the counter. Maybe they just assumed that it would be rather awkward for someone to just walk out with a sex doll, let alone the awkwardness of the store and the products sold there.
After shopping around we rode the trains back home and I did my Japanese homework and went off to bed.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
11/26/05I woke up around 11:00 to work on the presentation with the rest of my group. After discussing what we were going to do I went out to vest with Justin and Ben. Ben and I stopped at a ramen place to grab some late lunch and then met back up with Justin and did some vesting. After vesting we returned and watch the remaining nine episodes of "Densha Otoko." That just about ate up our entire day and we finally finished the episodes around 12:30 a.m. After that, I went off to bed.
Friday, November 25, 2005
11/25/05Well luck was not on my side again this morning because my alarm on my cell phone decided that I didn't have to wake up this morning. And as a result, I missed a session of Japanese class. I guess somebody really doesn’t want me going to class this week, which is somewhat fine by me, because I feel that I need the break. I’ve been loaded with tons projects and papers this week.
My family was celebrating Thanksgiving today back at home and my mom wanted me to call her on her cell phone. I called her and got to talk to a lot of people in my family including my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was nice to hear their voices and talk to them. However, they did make me a bit jealous because they got to eat a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
After calling my family I met with my group to talk about our group project. We are comparing and contrasting the districts of Akihabara and Harajuku in Tokyo. I somehow volunteered to do the Power Point and worked on it for about four hours after meeting with my group. So I basically stayed in the same room for about eight hours doing nothing but talk about our research project and making the Power Point presentation for it. There was about an hour break in which I played Step Mania, but then it was right back to the project.
After I finished the project, I hung out in the computer room downstairs for awhile surfing the web and chatting. It was then I realized that I hadn’t really eaten anything all day, so I went to Saizeriya with Ben and Mike. After eating we returned and I went off to bed.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
11/24/05This morning my alarm decided to fall from my bed and smash into pieces. So, as a result, my alarm didn't go off and I missed two sessions of Japanese class. Luck just doesn't seem to be on my side this week.
After Japanese class I lounged around the dorm a bit and talked to people online for awhile. My host-mother told me to call her tomorrow because she was going to meet up with the rest of the family for Thanksgiving. I would also get the chance to talk to everyone else in my extended family and see how things were getting along with them. I think I only have about twenty minutes left on my phone card. Perhaps if I get the chance tomorrow, I'll buy another one somewhere.
While I was chatting online, I found out from a few others that the new Guitar Freaks V2 was being set up. After I found that out I headed out to the arcade to take part in the new vesting experience. At the arcade we played some really cool new songs and a few of the old ones that were still included.
After some awesome new vesting, I decided that it had been awhile since I had been to Shimokitazawa. I had been meaning to go back there for quite sometime, but something always came up. I rode the train there and went straight for the famous crepe shop and got a really delicious banana, chocolate, custard crepe with whipped creme. I think I might have to go back one more time before I leave in a couple of weeks.
While eating my crepe, I made my way back to the main part of Shimokitazawa and did some looking around there. I found a really cool store there that was almost the equivalent to Spencer's back at home, but with a lot more stuff, and way, way cooler. I bought a few gifts and things for myself and then got a call on my cell phone from Ben. He reminded me that Eiji and a few others were making dinner tonight for all of us, so after I got off the phone with him I went back to the station and rode back to Mukogaokayuen.
I walked back to the dorm and had dinner with everyone else. I can't remember what we ate, but it was sort of like a mix between donburi and the shabu-shabu thing I ate with Ayako's mom. It was pretty good, none the less.
After eating dinner I hung out in the second floor classroom and did a mix of playing video games and doing homework. I had to give a small presentation tomorrow in class, and that took up most of my time. I also watched a few episodes of the live-action T.V. show "Densha Otoko," (Train Man) with Ben. It was really fun to watch and I heard that the movie is coming out the day before we leave. I might consider getting it.
When we finished two episodes I went off to bed.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
11/23/05Today we had no classes because it was a Japanese national holiday. So basically today was my Thanksgiving break. I didn't do a whole lot except for sleeping till about 3:00 in the afternoon.
I went out vesting with Ben and Justin and then we went to Saizeriya for dinner. Becca called me on my cell there and I talked to her there and the whole way home. I was nice to talk to her again after not talking to her for awhile.
After I got back to the dorm I hung out in the second floor classroom and did my homework with a few others and then played some video games. When I finished my homework, I went off to bed.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
11/22/05I felt like crap this morning and my alarm also decided not to go off, so I only made it to three out of four Japanese classes. Our last business wasn't until 3:40, so I decided to head back to the dorm and catch a nap. I woke up just in time to make it to class and by the end of class I was happy we had no more business classes for the rest of the year.
After class I returned to the dorm and set up shop in the second floor classroom and did some video game playing until a group of us decided to go to Saizeriya for dinner. We ate dinner at Saizeriya and then went back to the dorm and I did some more video game playing. A few other went out to do some karaoke and had been drunk since 3:00 this afternoon, so I decided I would rather stay behind and hang out in the dorm rather than trek out into the freezing cold night.
So instead I spent hours ripping Eiji's seven soundtracks from the awesome anime, "Neon Genesis Evangelion." I now have really awesome music. I'm going to watch that series when I get back to America because I haven't seen it in awhile and need to see it again. It's one of Japan's greatest animations ever made. If you haven't seen it, see it now because it's awesome!
So I basically wasted my entire evening mulling and lounging around the dorm. I had to put up with the drunkards when they finally returned from the karaoke bars, but they soon went to bed and all was calm once more. I fiddled around with my computer looking at pictures from the trip and back home. I then finally went to bed around 3:00 a.m. I wouldn't have done so if we didn't have the day off tomorrow.
Monday, November 21, 2005
11/21/05I reluctantly woke up for class the next day and just barely made it through four sessions of Japanese class. After class I went to the cafeteria for lunch and then we had another consultation on our group project. That didn’t last very long so I celebrated by getting out of class early by taking a nap back at the dorm.
I woke up around dinner time and went to have some ramen with Ben and Michael. Afterwards we did some vesting and returned to the dorm. I then hung out in the second floor classroom and played video games with a few others while I attempted to do my homework. I finally finished playing and working, I went back up to my room to get ready for bed. I tried to fall asleep around 2:00 a.m., but I think I finally made it to sleep around 3:00.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
11/20/05Woke up around 4:00 in the afternoon and started on my culture class essay. It had to be eight to ten pages, so it wasn't all that hard. I pretty much had five pages of notes and then just filled in the rest. In-between writing my paper I took breaks chatting online or gathering more information online for my paper. I also took a lot of breaks playing Step Mania and a few others.
By the time I got my report done "Typing of the Dead" finally downloaded on my computer and Ben helped me make a CD. I installed the game, but an error kept coming up saying that the language was incorrect or something. I tried taking off the Japanese setting on my computer, but that didn't seem to work.
Somewhere around 12:30 a.m. Ben and Michael decided that they wanted to go to Saizeriya, and I went along with them despite having class in eight hours. We then returned from Saizeriya around 2:00 a.m. and I decided to see if I could try to get "Typing of the Dead" to work. I got it to work and then played that for about an hour. Afterwards I got ready for bed, but couldn't fall asleep, so I decided to read some of my Halo novel and finally went to bed around 5:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
11/19/05Woke up around 2:00 in the afternoon and took a shower. After my shower I fell back asleep as I read my Halo novel. I woke up around dinner time and played some more Step Mania. I then decided to go to Shimokitazawa to do some shopping and get a crepe there at the famous crepe shop, but decided to stop at the Family Mart on the way to the station and got an ice cream bar.
I also decided to stop at a second-hand store on the way to the station. It was then I got the crazy idea that I would buy a kimono, and I did. I actually wanted to buy a yukata since they are cheaper, but this isn't the season for them. I bought everything except for the socks and shoes for 20,000 yen, which is a little less than $200 now, considering the conversion rate. The price was actually a little higher, but the lady who worked at the store gave me a discount for service. I got the kimono itself, which is a light blue color, and under-kimono, a pastel-orange obi, with a white string that goes on top of the obi, and some white type of fabric that goes just on top of the obi. Also included were the three strips of fabric to hold together the under kimono and kimono itself. Also included was the strip of fabric with a board in it to hold up the obi. The kimono itself was never actually worn by anyone, but has a small black spot that can barely be seen when wearing it. Considering how much I got and that just the kimono itself usually costs about $2,000, I think I did pretty good, even though most of it was used before. It doesn't really matter since I'm only going to wear it for a few occasions. I plan to wear it for the completion ceremony here and perhaps to one of my sorority events.
After buying a kimono, my idea of going to Shimokitazawa vanished and I hurried back to the dorm to try it on. I had my R.A. Numa and Katie to help me try it on. We figured out most of it except for the obi. I then took it back off and put it away for a later date. I then played Step Mania again for a couple of hours and then decided to make some macaroni and cheese as most of the group left for Shibuya to watch a soccer game between Barcelona and Madrid at a bar there. I then watched "Pirates of the Carribean" in the T.V. room with a few people and then watched "Battle Royal II" until around 4:00 a.m. when I decided to finally go to bed.
Picture Update:
Pictures from Ayako's House, Yokohama, and Kamakura HERE
Friday, November 18, 2005
11/18/05We only had our four Japanese classes in the morning. Somewhere in-between the third session of class, Cooper called me on my cell. I asked the teacher if I could be excused and she complied. He told me that he was lost somewhere as they were trying to get to Asakusa. I then went back to the class and asked my teacher for help with directions and pointed Coop in the right direction. I then told him I would call him after I got out of class and we would decide where to meet based on where he and his group were at the time. The last session of Japanese flew by fast, but not fast enough. I called Coop on my cell and we decided we would meet either by the Imperial Palace or the Tokyo Tower, neither of which I have actually been to yet.
I rode on the Odakyu and then the Tokyo Metro. As I was about to switch train lines, Coop called me and said they were headed to the Tokyo Tower, so I got on another Metro line and rode to the station that supposedly was close to the tower. We well I got out I didn't see the tower, so I asked around twice for directions and was pointed in the right directions. The walk there took about fifteen to twenty minutes and then I waited around for Cooper. I called him again and right as I called him I saw him and his group approaching and then ran towards him. I hugged him for what seemed like an eternity and then I was introduced to three of his other friends in his squadron.
We then decided to go up to the main observatory to see the Tokyo cityscape from the tower. I don't think it was worth 820 yen, but considering the time and effort it would have taken to walk up the stairs, maybe it was worth it. One of Coop's friends had mentioned that they wanted to see "Electric Town," which is also known as Akihabara. I knew where that was right away, and knew of a really good place to eat there, so we rode the subway to Akihabara. We got out from the subway exit and I started looking for the restaurant. It was a little hard to find because I had never ridden the subway to Akihabara, and usually coordinated myself with the JR station. Just I was about to cross the street I noticed the restaurant logo on one of the windows near by and found another restaurant chain nearby. This was the same type of restaurant Ben, Michael, and I ate at the last time we went to Akihabara. It was the really cheap place with lots of tasty food for your deal.
All five of us ordered the same thing and then explored around Akihabara and I got to show them a few interesting things about the town, including the rental boxes, game stores, and even a creepy porn store.
After that, we rode on JR to Shinjuku and then to Shibuya. They had mentioned that they wanted to see the "Times Square" of Tokyo, so I took them there and showed them the most famous meeting spot in Tokyo and the busiest intersection in the world. Cooper saw a dance club across the street in which real people were acting as advertisements dancing in the windows. I would have been fun to go, but it also would have cost a ton of money just to get in, and then you would have had to pay for your own high-priced drinks after that.
There really wasn't a whole lot to see in Shibuya other than high-priced shopping, so I then took them to Shinjuku. I had planned earlier on in the week to meet my host-family at 6:30 today, so I left the group and told them how to get back to where they needed to go. I gave Coop some more hugs and then regretted leaving. Of course I was stupid enough to have brought my camera and didn't take any pictures. I know Coop took some, so I'll just steal them from him. I then rode the train to meet up with my host-family and then met them at the Shin-yurigaoka station. I also got to meet one of Mamiko's friends as well who was taking English classes. We all walked to an izakaya somewhere inside the station and got a few drinks as we waited around for my host-father to join us. He eventually came and then we had some really fun conversation. My host-father decided that I needed a Japanese boyfriend and made the group of boys sitting at the table next to us join up and talk to us. One of the boys had been studying English for ten years, and was really good at English. He said that he could be a good translator for me and then offered me his phone number just incase I would ever need a good translator while I was here. My host father then ordered them a Japanese-style pizza for their trouble and then we left the izakaya.
As we were leaving, it was someone's idea that we should go to a karaoke bar. We found one right outside the station and then put our names in. We had to wait twenty minutes, so I decided I wanted some dessert and walked with Mamiko and her friend to a Family Mart and got some ice cream bars. We then walked back to the karaoke bar and we shown our room. We had a really fun time singing and time went by so fast it didn't seem like we were there for an entire hour. It almost seemed like fifteen minutes. My host family then gave me a picture book with all the pictures they had taken of us during my home-stay. It was really nice of them to do that.
After the karaoke bar I thanked my host-family for a good time and then we all went our separate ways on the trains. I rode the late train back to Mukogaokayuen, which was the next stop on the Express Train. It was sort of weird to ride the late train because barely anyone was on there. I was just glad to ride the train before midnight, otherwise I would have been walking all the way back, or would have had to get a taxi.
I got back to the station and then walked back to the dorm. I picked up a snack at a convenient store on the way back and then typed in my journal and then fell asleep.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
11/17/05We had the usual four sessions of Japanese and then had two really boring business classes in the afternoon. After classes Ben, Nick, Justin, and I decided to go to Saizeriya for dinner, and we even convinced a Japanese student to come along as well. After dinner we walked to a game store so that Nick could buy a game he wanted. I also saw at the store that they were taking reservations for the X-Box 360. It's not coming out in Japan until December 10th, which is the day I leave, but at this particular store they were releasing it on December 9th. It's probably due to the fact that it's not as popular here, and you can get away with that kind of stuff in Japan. I know that would never be allowed in America. After game shopping, we did a lot of vesting and then returned to the dorm. I did my usual routine of homework, with a little bit of Step Mania in-between before I went off to bed.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
11/16/05Today we only had three sessions of Japanese class because we had a mandatory field trip to an insurance company in downtown Tokyo. It was only made mandatory because people had mentioned that the trip was going to be boring and worthless, which is what it was.
After riding the subway to the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, we were split up into three groups and given a tour of the building. They first took us to the observatory on one of the top floors of the building and we got to see the Tokyo cityscape. After that we were guided into a small, private gallery with paintings from Japanese artists. We were then taken back downstairs to the garden outside and the shown the vegetable garden. I think every insurance company should own one... Just when I thought the boring and worthless tour was over, we were led into a classroom and given three lectures about the insurance company. The only thing worthwhile about it all was that we were given juice to drink while we tried not to fall asleep.
After the torture, we were guided back downstairs. Ben, Michael, and I decided to go to Akihabara only because we were so close to that part of Tokyo. It was about a fifteen to twenty minute walk to Akihabara. I was surprised that I didn't buy anything there, but I did buy food. We happened upon one of the best restaurants ever. Lots of tasty food for cheap, which is the best combination ever. It came with a giant bowl of ramen, a small bowl of rice, and then three pot stickers or dumplings. After filling ourselves we returned to the dorm and then I surfed the web and chatted online. I also downloaded a really cool simulator for DDR on my computer called "Step Mania." Right now, you can download it for free, and I recommend that anyone remotely interested in DDR should download it because you will be addicted within seconds. One thing that sucks is that you have to download all the songs you want separately. In a way this is kind of good because you will only have songs you like and won't have ones that you'll never play. After that I did my usual routine of doing my homework and then going to bed afterward.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
11/15/05We had four sessions of Japanese in the morning and then had a business and culture course. I didn't really care too much for the business class, as usual. The culture class on the other hand was an extension of the last culture class we had on non-verbal communication. At the end of the class we were assigned a paper on a Japanese non-verbal communication we noticed. It won't be that bad because we only need to write a one page essay, so that will be cake.
After class Nick, Ben, and I rode the train to Nagayama station and then took the "Book Off Bus" to the giant Book Off store. There are tons of Book Off's in Japan that sell used books, manga, DVD's, CD's, and so on. But this Book Off is so big it includes four floors of items that also include clothing, sports equipment, and other apparel and items. At the Book Off I bought the original Halo. I can't play it on my X-Box back at home because my X-Box is not modded, but one of my friends' is. The region codes on games and DVD's are different, and that means you can't play it unless you have a Japanese consol or DVD player, or an all-region DVD player - which is a little more expensive. Either that, or I mod my X-Box and then use an X-Box 360 to use X-Box Live. I also bought a cheap shirt at the Book Off that somewhat resembles a pit-crew shirt.
After shopping around, we rode the bus back to the station and then rode the train back to Mukogaokayuen. We went straight back to the dorm because Nick had bought "Typing of the Dead" at Book Off, along with a keyboard for his Dreamcast he bought in Japan. We then playing "Typing of the Dead" for quite awhile. I had played it before back in the States, but only a little bit. It was a bit tougher with this game though, because the game was in Japanese, and therefore, one had to type in Japanese to win the game. It was pretty easy until we got to a part where we had to read a question that was given and then type the right answer. We pretty much gave up after that. While playing this game everyone got out their computers and played on other consoles and T.V.s in the room. The room instantly became an arcade, and it was awesome. People walking by the room poked their heads in just to see where all the commotion was coming from.
After playing "Typing of the Dead," I decided I needed it for myself in English, so I began to download it on my computer while chatting online. After that I did my homework and went off to bed.
Monday, November 14, 2005
11/14/05Today we only had three sessions of Japanese classes. We got out early so that we could visit a Japanese elementary school. After the taxi ride to the school, we arrived at the elementary school and were greeted by lots of hyper elementary students. They were so happy to see foreign college students, and as soon as we arrived, word spread like wild fire that we were there.
We were then split up into groups and I went up with the 5th grade students. I was ushered into a classroom and given a place to sit down that had lunch on a tray for me. We then ate lunch together and talked for a bit - in Japanese of course.
After spending time with the 5th graders, we were then split up again and I was ushered into a classroom by three 2nd graders. I was given a giant nametag to war around my neck that the students had made. We sat down in a group and I talked and showed them pictures from my scrap book. They thought it was probably one of the coolest things in the world. After talking we all played a game as a class together. The game was called "Fruits Basket," and worked somewhat like the "Chairs" game. There was always one person out because there was one less chair. Each person was assigned a fruit and if your fruit was called out, you had to run and find another seat as quickly as possible. If someone said "fruits basket," then everyone had to switch seats. It was a really fun game to play with the kids.
After playing with the second graders, I was then ushered back upstairs to the 5th grade room to do some other activities. I started out at the Sho-do calligraphy table and wrote the kanji for "dream." The students then took my paper and mounted it on another sheet of paper for me. I then made my way over the next group which was origami. I was then taught how to make a swan out of paper. I had done it a few times before, but it was still a lot of fun to do. After that I went over to the chopstick race. The goal was to pick up as many objects with the chopsticks as fast as possible. It had three stages, and I got better with each stage. I think it was supposed to get harder with each stage, but I did just the opposite. After that, I went over to make bookmarks with the next group. I picked out my leaves that I wanted on my book mark and then the children laminated it for me. When I finished my bookmark, I went over to the last group to make acorn pendants. I drew a face on the acorn - that sort of looked like Marcal (one of the students from Spain), so then it became my voodoo pendant of Marcal. I plan to wear it everyday from this day forward for that very reason. Hahaha! The students then treaded my acorn with a string and made a necklace for me. After spending time with the students, it was time to go home.
We took taxis back to the dorm. I'm just glad that I didn't have to pay for the taxi fare. The university picked up the bill for all of us. I only wondered why they didn't choose a bus. Probably because it cost too much to rent, and that we were only going a short distance. When we got back I slept until dinner time and then met up with Ben and Mike at Saizeriya. After dinner we did our ritual vesting session and then returned to the dorm.
Back at home, I surfed the internet for awhile and chatted. I then did my homework, watched "Boondock Saints" with some others in the T.V. room, and then went to bed.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
11/13/05Woke up around 2:00 in the afternoon today. It felt good to sleep in after not having a lot of sleep during the week. I did some internet surfing and then made myself some lunch. I then decided to watch the anime movie "Ah, My Goddess," which was then followed by the movie, "Gladiator." Someone else wanted to use the T.V. room, so I went upstairs and did some internet surfing and chatting online. After reading some of my "Halo" novel, I went to bed.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
11/12/05Woke up around 8:00 and got ready to go on our field trip for the weekend. We were all split up into groups and I went along with Justin, Michael, Ben, Thomas, Yuki, Tai, and another boy I don't know. He was cool though because he had some sort of semi-mohawk thing going on.
We rode the train all the way to Fujisawa and then got around to look at the beach. Thomas and a few others wanted to stop at the McDonalds, and a few of us went to the convenient store to get some drinks to bring along on the walk. We then walked across the bridge and it was really cool because we could see the top of Mount Fuji peeking out of the clouds.
When we made it across the bridge to the island, we walked around and looked at the temples around the island. This weekend was some sort of holiday as many of the children were dressed in kimonos and traditional clothing. The Japanese celebrate at certain times according to how old you are. I believe it is something like 3, 5, 7, and 20 - but don't quote me on it completely. You then dress up in traditional clothing and go to the shrines and temples with your family and pray for a good future. It was really cool to see so many cute kids in kimonos.
After walking around the island we walked back down to the bridge and stopped to have some ice cream. What kind of ice cream you're wondering? Well, the sweet potato kind, which are a little different here in Japan. Each region, city, and town in Japan has its own local food, sweets, or ice cream that is made there. Kamakura just so happened to be the sweet potato variety, so we had to try it since we tried all the others around Japan so far. It was probably one of the best "non-normal" ice cream flavors I've ever tasted.
As we were eating our ice cream, we walked back across the bridge and got on a local train and rode it to the stop where the Daibutsu was. The walk to it took about fifteen minutes or so, and it was well worth it. This Buddha was even larger than the Buddha I saw at the Todaiji temple at Nara. You could also pay 20 yen (20 cents) to go inside of the giant bronze statue. There wasn't much to see inside, but it was still worth my 20 yen to say that I've been inside a giant bronze Buddha.
After looking around we then left and started looking for a place to eat. Our search led us back to the train station and we rode it all the way to Kamakura. We then walked down the streets looking for something to eat. As we were walking it started to smell a little like China Town in Yokohama, because of all the cooked acorns they sell there, and my nose was right. We found a little stand, but didn't buy anything. We did however get pulled aside to watch this guy make "Samurai Candy." He put on a good show, and then begged us to buy his product. I continued walking down the street, but Justin fell in and bought something.
What we really wanted to eat was the soba in Kamakura because it was famous here, but after looking around and seeing the prices, we finally decided to eat some cheap ramen instead. A lot of us, including myself ordered miso ramen, which was the only thing I could actually read on the menu that I wanted to eat.
After lunch we continued walking down the street to one of the main temples and then looked around there for awhile. As we were walking back a few of us got candy covered grapes from a local vendor. They were actually quite good. We then continued walking back to the station. Some of the group wanted to take the train back to Fujisawa and see the beach, but as we noticed that dark was approaching, our minds soon changed. We did however stop at a Baskin Robins by the station and got some good ice cream.
We rode the local train back to Fujisawa and then took the Odakyu back to Mukogaokayuen. Once we got back a few of the guys wanted to vest. I complied for a few rounds and then decided to do some gift shopping. After shopping I returned and a few of us watched the movie "Space Balls." After the movie I was pretty tired, so I then decided to go to bed.
Friday, November 11, 2005
11/11/05We had our normal Japanese classes in the morning and got our tests returned to us. I did a lot better than the previous test, but I know I could have done better if I had studied more.
We didn't have any business or culture classes in the afternoon, but we had to do some field research for our group business project. Our group split up into two, one went to Harajuku and the other went to Akihabara. The next week we would switch. I went along with the group to Akihabara and did some "research." We did end up taking some pictures, but in the end spent most of the time shopping around Akihabara. I got a lot of cool things for me and my friends. After looking around Akihabara, we returned to the dorm and I made spaghetti for dinner.
After dinner I decided to go with a group of people to do some karaoke. I sang a few songs, but didn't drink as much as the last time we went. After karaoke-ing, Justin, Ben, and I went to do some buzzed-vesting and then returned to the dorms. In the T.V. room a group of people were watching "Batman Begins," so I decided to make some toast and watch the movie also. After the movie I went off to bed and prepared for the Kamakura tour tomorrow.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
11/10/05We had our Japanese test in the morning that included the written, reading, and oral exam. I think it went a lot better than it went the last time I took the exam. After the test I went back to the dorm and made some macaroni and cheese. We didn't have any business or culture courses in the afternoon, so after lunch I surfed the web and talked to people online for awhile. I then became tired and decided to take a nap. After my long nap I went shopping for groceries and made myself some dinner. After dinner I went with a few others to do some vesting and then returned to the dorm. When I returned I wrote a few business papers and then went off to bed.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
11/9/05In class today I was feeling the effects of the karaoke party last night. We had four sessions of Japanese in the morning and then I went to the cafeteria for lunch. We then had two business classes in the afternoon and then I went back to the dorm. A group of us watch "The Fifth Element," in the T.V. room together. After watching the movie I was incredibly tired and then went to be in hopes of waking up early to study for the Japanese test the next day.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
11/8/05We had the usual four sessions of Japanese classes in the morning, but only had one culture course later on in the afternoon. Since we had some time between classes, I went back to the dorm and made some macaroni and cheese for lunch and then watched "Intensity," on T.V. with some others in the T.V. room.
The movie finished just in time so that I had just enough time to walk up to building No. 9 for class. The class ended up being really interesting. It was over NVC, or non-verbal communication and how it differed between Japan and other countries.
After class I went and vested with Ben and then we decided to try a Japanese Wendy's for dinner. I thought the burgers at Wendy's in America were expensive, but when I saw the prices I was blown away. Because of the price, I could only buy a single burger combo and of course, got less food and drink than I would at a fast food restaurant in America.
When we finished dinner, we rode back to Harajuku to get the bag that Ben had wanted to buy the previous day. After that, we walked to the famous bridge at Harajuku where people in cosplay (costumes of - but not limited to - video game or anime characters) meet up to show off their costumes with other cosplayers. The most common time they show up is usually Sunday afternoon.
After we were done walking around, we rode back to Mukogaokayuen and vested. When we were done vesting we walked back to the dorm, but on our way back we ran into a group of other people and decided to go karaoke-ing with them. A lot of people showed up, about fifteen or so, so we were put in the largest room they had. It was fun to sing old 80's songs and even a few Disney songs were included. Only when you are buzzed at a karaoke joint can you sing Disney songs together and not be ashamed or embarrassed.
After we were done karaoke-ing, Justin, Ben, and I were hungry, so we decided to walk down the street to Saizeriya. When we were done with our midnight snack, we walked back to the dorm and I went straight to bed.
Monday, November 07, 2005
11/7/05We only had three sessions of Japanese classes because we had a class field trip. After Japanese class I went down to the dorm and made some lunch and then walked down to the station to meet up with the rest of the class so we could all travel together for the field trip. We ended up in Harajuku and walked down the street to the KDDI design studio. KDDI designs cell phones and other related electronic items. My cell phone I bought from AU is designed by KDDI.
At the studio we got to see some of the concept models they were designing and the features they included. We also got to watch T.V. and play video games that were samples of how KDDI plans to integrate their ideas into their products. The top floor of the building was a café and our teacher was nice enough to buy us all a drink. It was probably the most expensive coffee I've ever drank for the amount given.
After coffee, Ben and I walked around Harajuku taking pictures for our group project for business class. While walking around we found the store called "Condomania," which sold, naturally, condoms. The store was really small and sold a lot of expensive condoms and other sexually related items. I picked up some free stickers and put one on my cell phone. We continued walking down the street and found a second hand clothing store. Ben found a bag he really liked, but didn't bring enough money along with him. We then made plans to return to the store in near future.
When we were done shopping and looking around, we walked back to the station and went back to Mukogaokayuen. We then hit various arcades and vested for awhile. When we were done, we walked back to the dorm and met up with some others who wanted to vest, so we walked back towards the station and hit the arcades again. When we were all vested out, we went back to the dorm and as soon as we got back, we decided that we were hungry, so we walked down to the 7-11. I got an ice cream bar and some melon Fanta. We then walked back to the dorm and I did my homework before finally going to bed.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
11/6/05Woke up around 10:00 a.m. and talked to Ayako, Megumi, Mina, and Ryo on MSN Messenger with the webcam. We talked till around lunchtime and then took the train to the Yokosuka-Chou station. It happens to be the station near where Ayako's mom works at Saint Joseph Hospital. We looked around in a few stores at a mall there and then walked seeing what some of the street vendors had to offer. The area which we were in happens to be close to a Navy base, so there were tons of military uniforms and various other military related items that were being sold. I was a little tempted to buy them, but they were more expensive than the military stuff I saw being sold at Shimokitazawa. If I really want it, I'll just get it there.
After walking around we went to the station and Ayako's mom rode with me and got off at another station to visit one of her friends. I continued riding the same train all the way to Shinagawa. At Shinagawa I rode the train to Shinjuku and then got on the Odakyu line.
When I got back to the dorm I unpacked and then talked on the phone for awhile. I then decided to make some macaroni and cheese and then went vesting with the others. After doing my homework I went to bed.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
11/5/05Woke up around 9:00 or so and ate breakfast with Ayako's mom. When then rode the train to Yokohama and went to see the Ramen Museum. Yes, that's right, a museum dedicated to the history of a certain type of noodle. Not only did it have that, in the basement were replicated street shops that sold ramen. Each store specialized in a certain region where the ramen was made in Japan. Not every type of ramen is exactly the same, the noodles, broth, and other ingredients varies depending on the climate and taste preference of the area in which it is made. The type of ramen that is common in the Tokyo area is called "Tokyo Ramen." The type of ramen that we ate was "Sapporo Ramen," which is common in the southern area of Hokkaido.
After lunch we left the museum and took the subway to the Landmark Tower that overlooked the Yokohama bay. The tower is also the tallest sky scraper in all of Japan. After buying 1,000 yen tickets to go to the top observatory, we got in line to ride the elevator. The elevator also happened to be the fastest elevator in the world. The elevator ride only took 40 seconds to reach the top and I could feel my ears popping as we went up. After reaching the top, we walked around the observatory area. The best time to go to the observatory is the day after it rains. This is because the rain clears out all the smog and pollution in the air so that you can clearly see across the sky. Unfortunately, it didn't rain yesterday, so we couldn't see a lot of things like Mount Fuji and Tokyo Tower. After seeing all there was to see we rode the elevator back down and were let out on the 5th floor which was a floor in the Landmark Tower mall. Everything was extremely high priced, so I didn't buy anything, except a small Christmas gift for a friend.
After a little bit of shopping we walked outside to watch a performer on the street doing a juggling act on a really tall unicycle. After that we walked to the coffee shop next to the mall that was a café for dogs and people. At the café we saw some really cute dogs all dressed up in outfits. There were two dachshunds there dressed up in kimonos that were really cute. I'm glad I brought my camera to take a picture of them. After a coffee break we walked outside to watch a rock band perform on the street outside the Landmark Tower. After that we walked around the mall area and went in a few stores. I got a new, small, satchel bag that almost looks like it came from an army surplus store. Well actually, I didn't buy it, Ayako's mom bought it for me, as did practically everything else that required money. I begged to pay for it myself, but she refused.
After that we walked around some more and watched a Jazz band perform inside the mall. We then took the subway again and looked for a place to have dinner. Ayako's mom took me to a place where you cook your own beef and vegetables in boiling water, known as "shabu shabu." We also ate another dish that used the same method called "ski-yaki,' where you cook the meat and vegetable in a sauce that is heated in a pan. Everything was really tasty, and really expensive.
After dinner we rode the train back home to Yokosuka and played with the dogs a little before finally going to bed. I had a little trouble falling asleep, so I read my Halo novel for a couple of hours and then drifted off to sleep.
Friday, November 04, 2005
11/4/05I woke up around noon and I decided to find out where Ayako's house was. Since Ayako wasn't online at the time, I asked around for directions or suggestions as to how I could get there. Later on, I finally got a hold of Ayako herself and she told me how to get there. I packed my bags for one night and then headed off to the station. I rode all the way to Shinjuku on the Odayku line and then transferred to a JR line, the Yanamote. I rode that a few stops to Shinagawa and then transferred to the Yokosuka line and rode that all the way to the last stop: Kurihama. The ride took longer than if I would have rode on the Keikyu line, but since I had my J-Rail pass, I wanted to make use of it as much as I could.
I got to the Kurihama station around 5:30 p.m. and then took a bus to "Hirando," which is the katakana pronunciation for "High Land." I rode the bus all the way to the last stop, of which there were only three. I then walked across the street to the 7-11 to grab something to eat since I hadn't eaten all day. Just as I was walking back towards the bus station, Ayako's mom called and said that she was leaving work. I told her where I was and she was surprised to see that I made it that far on my own. I should have told her I got directions from a few people. I waited around at the bus stop for Ayako's mom and read my second Halo novel. 20 minutes later, Ayako's mom picked me up in her car and drove me to the downtown area near the Kurihama station.
After parking, we went into the mall that had restaurants on the top floor. We stopped at a sushi place that served the sushi on a conveyer belt. The price of the sushi depended on what plate it was on. After eating a few plates Ayako's mom decided that she was still hungry so after paying we went across the street to an izakaya. While there, Ayako called and we got to talk to her. Since we ordered a lot of food, neither of us finished all of it. We then drove back pass the bus stop and to the house.
As we were pulling up to the house Ayako's grandfather was walking one of the dogs up the street. I poked my head out the window and greeted him. He had no idea who I was and it was kind of funny to see the look on his face. After a good laugh and an explanation, we went inside and I was greeted by three playful dogs. Sakura-chan, the biggest of the three was a female Chocolate Lab with a very playful spirit. Kira-kun, the newest member of the family was a young, male Jack Russell Terrier who was a little timid at first, but then became extremely friendly. Kota-kun was the oldest and smallest of the three, but his attitude made him the ruling figure of the family. I think that since he was so small, he had to make up for his small size with his even bigger attitude. Kota-kun is a little, grumpy Maltese, who sometimes thinks of himself as a human and should be treated as so. Kota-kun usually hid most of the time, as to not get trampled on while Sakura and Kira were playing, and the fact that he really didn't care for either of the other dogs. Kota-kun is human after all, and can't associate himself with such dog-like customs.
After playing with the dogs for awhile I was shown upstairs to Ayako's room where I could stay the night. I was then informed by Ayako's mom that Ayako was online and that we could chat through webcam. We talked for quite a long time and then it was time for bed. Just as I was falling asleep I felt scratching at the bottom of the bed. It was Kota-kun and he wanted to bed let up on the bed. I picked him up and he slept by my side the entire night.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Photo Update:Photos from my 9 day break around Japan HERE
I also ran out of room, so I had to make another album HERE
11/3/05
Woke up around 9:00 and check out of the hotel by 10:00. We decided to leave our stuff at the hotel and come back and get it after we got back from Himeji. Joe, Katie, and I went to the 7-11 to grab breakfast and then walked to the Kyoto station. We got on the Shinkansen for Shin-Osaka and then transferred trains there to Himeji. The entire ride took about an hour.
We grabbed a map at Himeji station and walked down the main street to the Himeji Castle. We finally reached the park in front of the castle and then walked up to the admission gate. The ticket was 600 yen, and in the end, was well worth it.
We walked around the beautiful castle, and then eventually got to go inside. We had to take our shoes off to go inside the castle, and were given slippers to wear if we wanted. The walk inside the castle went up six floors and was full of artifact from the eras of the castle itself. At the very top of the castle we got to stamp our pamphlets with the symbol of the castle, saying that we made it to the top. Also at the very top we met up with Ben from Illinois, who was also studying with us at Senshu University. He was touring around Japan with his father and brother. After talking about where we had been on the trip for awhile we walked back down the castle and to the station together.
Ben's brother had lost his J-Rail pass on the way to the castle, so we kept a close eye out for it on the way back. Miraculously, his brother found his pass on the street in front of the station. Ben couldn't buy a J-Rail pass since he had a student visa. He had gotten the scholarship that I and two other had applied for. Apparently I heard from Katie that UNL had messed up sending in our applications for the scholarships, and that's why no one from UNL got the scholarship. Now that I realize the conveniency of the J-Rail pass, I'm actually glad that I didn't get the scholarship. Sure it would have been nice not to pay for the entire trip, but buying tickets everytime you get on a shinkansen or JR train would have been a real pain. I got a seven day pass, and it was cheap considering how much I've used it so far on the trip.
At the station we waited around for Ben to buy a ticket and ended up waiting so long that we missed the train we wanted to get on. Joe, Katie, and I continued on without Ben and his family, since Ben was still figuring out what ticket he needed.
We rode to Shin-Osaka again and transferred to Kyoto. Then we walked back to J-Hoppers to get our luggage and then carried it back to the station. At the station we bought some dinner at the convenience store and then waited for our train. We got on the Hikari that was heading for Tokyo at 6:36 p.m. We didnt ride the entire way to Tokyo though, we got off at the Shinagawa station and then rode the JR line to Shinjuku. At Shinjuku we got on the Odakyu line to our favorite station: Mukogaokayuen.
After arriving at Mukogaokayuen station, we walked back to the dorm and unpacked. It was nice to finally be back in a familiar place after being away for so long. My J-Rail pass had about two more days on it, so to make the most of it, I decided to call Ayako's mom who lived in Yokosuka to see if she wanted to meet up this weekend. I got the answering machine, so I left a broken-Japanese message.
I then decided that I was going to have macaroni and cheese for dinner, but I didn't have any milk or butter. I walked down to the 7-11 with Ben and got the ingredients and then walked back to make dinner. After dinner I went with Justin and Ben to go vest and then returned back to the dorm. The whole way back, Ben tried to convince me to go to Osaka tomorrow with him. He said that Osaka is a really crazy place and is sort of like Tokyo, but on steroids and acid. Sounds interesting. Perhaps if Ayako's mom doesn't call back, I will go with them to Osaka tomorrow and then see Ayako's mom on Saturday.
I then did some internet surfing and went off to bed.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
11/2/05Woke up around 8:00 a.m. and then left around 9:00. We got breakfast at the 7-11 again and then walked back to the hotel. We found out at the hotel that the Imperial palace was open to the public today, and that we didn't need to make a reservation to get in. Apparently, the palace is open to the public about five times a year, and we had come at just the right time. It was also the 150th anniversary of the restoration. Ben and Michael checked out of the hotel and went off by themselves. Mia, Sara, Ekaterina, Orla, Joe, Katie and I walked to the station to get on the bus for the Imperial palace.
Once we got to the palace we had to walk around the park to actually get inside the palace itself. At the entrance we had our baggage checked by security guards, and then were let inside. We walked around the palace and got to see a lot of beautiful gardens. I went picture happy and took pictures like I was a kid in a candy store. The walk through the palace took about an hour or so, and then we walked back to the bus stop to go to Kyoto station.
At Kyoto station, Katie and I decided to go to Nara for the rest of the afternoon. We got on an express train to Nara and got there after about 30 minutes or so. At the station we got a map and stopped at a post office across the street because I was getting low on money. We then walked up the main street of Nara to get to see the temples and the shrines. While walking up the street we decided to stop and get lunch at Mos Burger and then continued walking up the main street.
We saw some minor temple and shrines, but our main destination was the Todaiji Temple. The Todaiji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world, and houses an enormous Buddha inside. We walked through a park that was full of deer and full of their droppings. After making it through the park we entered the walkway to the Todaiji Temple. This walkway was also full of deer and people as well. We finally reached the temple itself and paid 500 yen to get in. Inside the temple we got to see the giant Buddha statue and I crawled through one of the wooden poles in the temple. It is said that if you can fit through the hole in the pole you are destined to find enlightenment. Well after some squeezing, I made it through, so I should be in good shape. I then decided to try my luck again to see what my fortune would be, since the last time I tried it I didn't do so good. I paid 100 yen and then shook the stick box and pulled out number 37, which was for the most part fairly good. It said that it was a good time to travel, and that if I was sick I would fully recover, which was good since I still have a cough left over from my cold. It also said that if I was going to meet someone I should wait to do it.
We then exited the temple and walked up the hill looking at some of the more minor temples and shrines. There was also a giant bell at the top of the hill. The urge to ring it was extremely tempting, but I decided not to get in trouble. We then walked back down the hill to the Todaiji Temple and met up with Joe and Orla. They hadn't been in the temple yet, so we split up and Katie and I walked back to the train station.
We rode the train back to Kyoto station and then walked back to J-Hoppers. We arrived at the hotel around 5:00 p.m. and I then decided to take a nap because my legs hurt a lot from all the walking yesterday and today. Well my "nap" lasted until the morning. I had planned to wake up and go get some dinner next door at the ramen restaurant, but that obviously never happened.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
11/1/05We all woke up around 7:00 a.m. and then left around 8:00. Mai, Sara, Ekaterina, and Orla met up with us at the hotel. They were going to stay at J-Hoppers as well for the next couple of nights. We stopped at the 7-11 across the street to buy some breakfast and then walked to the Toji Temple that was on the South side of the station. Once we got there we found out that the admission fee was about 800 yen, so we just walked around the outside taking pictures. After that, we walked to the Kyoto station to get on the bus that would take us to the Kinkakuji. The Kinkakuji is a pavilion covered with gold leaf. There is also another pavilion called the Ginkakuji that is covered in silver, well mostly. They never got around to covering the whole thing, so we decided to just see the Kinkakuji.
Ekaterina's shoe broke, so she, Mia, and Sara walked back to J-Hoppers, and Orla continued on with us. The bus ride there took awhile because there were a lot of stops and the Kinkakuji was pretty far from the station. So after about 40 minutes or so, we finally arrived. The admission to see the Kinkakuji was a lot less (500 yen), plus it was shinny! We walked around the park of the Kinkakuji and took some pictures. After walking through and seeing all there was to see, we decided to go to the famous Zen garden at the Ryoanji Temple.
The walk to the temple took about 30 minutes and then we paid 500 yen to get in. I was a little reluctant to pay money to look at rocks, but I went along with it anyway. To get to the temple you had to walk through a really pretty park. At the top was the temple, and you had to take off your shoes to walk around inside. Around the temple was the Zen garden. The garden looked a lot bigger in the pictures, so it was kind of a let down. After walking around the temple area, we walked around the rest of the park and left to find lunch.
We decided to walk back towards the Kinkakuji and on the way we ate lunch at a Mc Donald’s. We got a few looks from the locals there, and I tried to ignore it. After lunch we got on a bus that went to the Kyoto station.
At the Kyoto station we decided to go see the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. The bus ride there was a little shorter and we arrived after about 25 minutes or so. After we were dropped off at the station, we had to walk about fifteen minutes or so to get to the Shrine. You had to walk through a really old street with lots of cute shops. I noticed that the fox was a really popular figurine being sold, so I surmised that it was the animal that represented the shrine area. At the top of the street we saw the main temple area, but didn't walk around it much because we were too interested in the rows and rows of tori that led up the mountain.
It was really cool to walk through all the tori as you walked up the mountain trail. Along the trail were little rest stops or groups of shrines that had foxes and miniature tori. We walked up to the main rest stop on the mountain and looked out onto the city. My legs were starting to shake after the climb and I could feel blisters starting to form on my toes, but I shook off the pain. We then decided to continue going, but were faced with a problem - there was a fork in the road. We had three options, go left up the mountain some more, go straight down the mountain, or go right which led in a loop down the mountain. Somehow we decided to go right and continued walking.
We walked quite awhile down the mountain and got to see a lot of really neat miniature shrines. We then started to worry when the tori stopped covering the trail and the trail kept going into the woods. The walk through the woods was very scenic, as we walked along the dirt trail that followed a stream, but it was also very long. We were starting to worry until we saw the roof of a house. Our excitement dwindled as we walked into a town that was completely unfamiliar. We were lost.
We decided to keep walking down the mountain and would hopefully end up somewhere near a bus station. As we were walking we could see the Kyoto tower and knew that it was going to be a long walk. Eventually we made it through the town and got some strange looks from the locals. Since we were already past some of the major train stations, we just decided to keep walking all the way back to J-Hoppers. I think we spent about an hour and a half just walking back to the hotel, and by the time we reached it I was extremely exhausted.
Katie then decided that she wanted to go to Gion, which is a part of Kyoto famous for Geishas. Somehow I mustered enough energy to walk back to Kyoto station with Sara, Orla, Mia, Joe, and Katie. At the station Katie and I decided to continue on to Gion, while the others waited at the station for Ekaterina to pick up her shoes she got fixed.
The ride to Gion took about twenty minutes or so on the bus and once we arrived at the station we waited around for the rest of the group to arrive. Katie got an e-mail on her phone saying that the rest of the group wasn't going to come after all, so she and I walked around. We were in a very cramped part of Gion, and it didn't seem like we were in the right place - or at least what Gion was described as. Eventually we wandered around enough to "Gion" that we had imagined.
Along the main street we decided to stop at one of the little shops that sold fresh dangao, which were tiny pounded rice balls dipped in a sweet sauce. Four of them on a stick only cost 80 yen, so we decided to try it and were glad we did because it was delicious. We then continued walking around and went into the main, older part of Gion. This part was made really famous in the book, "Memoirs of a Geisha."
After walking around for awhile, it was time to find a place to eat, so we stopped at a Japanese restaurant. We bought our food tickets and then ate dinner. I had beef udon that was really yummy after I put some spices in it. When we were done eating, we got back on the bus to Kyoto station. We then walked from Kyoto station back to J-Hoppers and then I got ready for bed.
The Dego Diva:
Date Of Birth: May 24th, 1984
Location: Wouldn't You Like To Know
Occupation: Student
Masters: Forensic Anthropology
Major: Anthropology
Minors: Art History & Japanese
Primary Hobby/Intrest: Video Gaming
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