Hana Hotel Kobe

Yesterday we made the trip back to Honshu, leaving our Okinawan experience behind us. It is quite nice to be back on the 'main land' and in the great city of Osaka. We are now definitely back to the Japan that I know.

Osaka is certainly a busier place than Naha -- definitely not as laid back here! There is obviously work to be done, people to see, and food to eat. The thing that always strikes me about Osaka is the sheer scale of eating establishments of all ...

... at Steak Ron, delicious Sakuyaki at Hariju and more helpings of takoyaki/okonomuyaki/yakisoba.

S teak Ron
1-10-2 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku | Umeda, Osaka

Hariju
1-9-26 Nishishinsaibashi Chuo-ku Osaka

Takontetsu (Pizza Ball House)
1-9-20 Maru Bldg Umeda 1 Chome

Meaning to ruin oneself by extravagance in food. Heard another translation - "Eat, eat until you fall down." Why Osaka is my entry point to Japan. It also translates to eating as much Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki as possible. BTW Takoyaki - Octopus balls. Okonomiyaki - Pancake-ish dealies. Oh Osaka.

... insist th*t I go to some f*mous museum, church, temple, or otherwise, This time it w*s Momok* t*king me to the Os*k* C*stle. I underst*nd their pride *nd interest in sh*ring *n import*nt p*rt of their culture *nd t*ke it *s *n opportunity to visit with them *nd le*rn * little in the process.

The origin*l Os*k* C*stle w*s burned *nd rebuilt sever*l times. The current structure h*s the outw*rd *ppe*r*nce of the origin*l, but *ctu*lly houses * five-story museum (plus ...

... in life where... After a short deep thought, I told him I had none.... I think Japanese people think I am a bum with no career motivation. I think Australians think I am a bum too! You can all get stuffed. haha
Overall
Overall I had a pretty good time in Kobe. Was a shame I couldn't spend longer with my friend. Didn't even have time to get a jump shot. My first fail of the trip! However she has agreed to one day come to Australia and maybe she might stay and learn ...

... of our group mates, who shall remain nameless but is a man who works for our US agency, chose not to ride at the last minute. But you can't make me tell you who it is...I refuse to embarass him that way. For those in the group who weren't up for the roller coaster, they headed to the Jurassic Park water ride and had just as much fun. After the roller coaster, we headed to the Spider-Man 3D attraction. USJ is an independent park, so they have rides and attractions that other ...

... some very traditional back streets which were cool. Was good but now that I've been I probably won't bother to go back. That night we went into Kobe properly (I had passed through and seen small parts of it), and it's probably the best city I've ever been in! Spotlessly clean and loads of shops etc. Also a really nice harbour. Had a quick wander around the 1995 earthquake memorial ground, which still has street sections persevered as they were after the damage caused on the day ...

... instance, the male workers all wear shirts and ties and the female workers wear matching aprons. On the whole though, these people are interested and willing to learn and i'm really enjoying work at present. I wonder how long it will be before I get tired teaching in a highly structured way and working for a money hungry company that is no better than McDonald's (my flat mate calls it McEnglish)? I'll keep you posted.

... that may not be cheap, but costs far less than a traditional sushi restaurant. Besides, it's not everywhere that you can find corn and mayo sushi! Not all social eating has to be done at a restaurant though. The Japanese also enjoy entertaining in their home. Toward the end of the semester I was one in a group of Aaron's friends that was invited over for dinner by his host parents. We all brought gifts, as is the custom. Mine was a potted plant, which paled in comparison to ...

... has improved, but I can`t be sure. I understand maybe about 30 percent of all I`m spoken to, and can reply with the volume of 5-15 percent.. heh, well, I`m working on it. That`s about it for this time. Sorry, I know there`s still many emails I haven`t replied to. It`s just me being busy or just plain lazy. For this week I have booked an appointment to a Japanese hairdresser - we shall see how that goes. Other than that I`m trying not to spend so much money this week, next month I ...