Nishiwaki Kenko Land Hotel

... which is a well-journeyed train as you can see from the picture below. I wouldn't say that it is a particularly comfortable train, but its retro-flavor will make you feel like you have slipped back into the good old days.

So, what is it exactly that makes Tajima beef so good?

According to Mr. Okamoto, one of the workers at the ranch, its superb and distinctive regional bloodlines passed down for many years are the primary reason for the excellence of Tajima beef ...

... this computer.　So far we did a bus tour of the main attractions in the city. Now we are looking for a place for fCub to have some Kobe beef. Tomorrow we will probably go to one of the famous shopping areas in Kobe. More to follow tomorrow. Sayonnara, Cubnelaine

... an experience in itself. It really is something just to go in the many flavors of establishments and browse the goods and check out the culture and people around. Consumerism is huge in Japan, but they pull it off in a much more enjoyable fashion then back home. It is entertaining to go shopping here.

Anyway, after a beautiful night down by the sea, we headed back to our hotel for one more night. The remainder of our adventure, would take place in Osaka.

... hall observatory, china town and the harbour district.

We started to walk and before long, found ourselves lost in a maze of covered shopping plazas. It was like Gintengai and Okaido ( the two covered malls in Matsuyama, which I'm not sure if I've mentioned ) but much bigger and glitzier.

After a few hours of shopping and having some lunch we finally made our to city hall. We decided we'd just kind of hang out ...

... Because, I want it eat. My boy friend found. It's very sweet!" Wasn't that the perfect mixture of confusion and cuteness!? Now, keep in mind these are high school students going to a nonacademic school. I think we're ranked 4th lowest in the prefecture or something. But the other day, a teacher came up to me and asked me what a student would have to do to apply for Harvard. Yes...HARVARD ...

... EXCHANGE PART*** Grrr... All I have to say is this one thing; I'M ONTO YOU, JAPANESE!!! I can see that you're trying to steal our holiday without actually admitting to it, and I'd like you to pick one of two options: #1. Trade holidays with us... you take Christmas and we'll take Geisha Day (or some other cool holiday I don't yet know about)... OR #2. Acknowledge that you're stealing our holiday and buy me Christmas gifts. Up to you. You pick.

... it forever and that this skill should be shared with the world. That's something I have come to admire about Japanese people. They don't doubt their ability; they just do it. My students may be shy during English class but they are completely comfortable demonstrating a dance in the hallway with their friends. Our volleyball players seem to dive fearlessly for ...

... to jazz and Christmas records, and ate nabe (Japanese stew only eaten in the fall and winter). I was really intrigued by the small shrines set up in his house. Apparently, Kuni's great grandparents' ashes are in there, so they set out green tea, fruit, and snacks every night for them. When we were there, Kuni's great grandmother's offerings included a huge bag of KIT KATS and a few bags of chips. "Do you guys eat this stuff when they're done?" I asked Kuni, eyeing the bag ...

... performers. There were even little kids dressed up like the samurai! Later we visited with them in the museum restaruant. I paid 300 yen to put on part of a samurai outfit and the clerk took pictures for me. I tried to look fierce, but I think I looked like I was in pain! Next we toured the Ramen Cup of Noodles museum, the pride and joy of Osaka. Very interesting, and we took the opportunity to make our own Cup of ...

Quite a day. First off, I have NO jet lag. Dunno how, but I'm blissfully already on local time, great stuff. Kyoto is damn cool. Badass trainstation (my photo was ****, so I'm going back for another today). I went on a hell of a walk, almost to the oppisite side of town. Saw some temples and what not. Really words don't do it justice, and I didn ...