Hikone Biwako Hotel

... The day was nearly perfect, as we ended a long ride at an onsen (Japanese hot spring), with views of the full moon over the ocean. Ahhhh....relaxation at its best!
The third day we headed out for an easy ride along the coast, once again enjoying beautiful weather. We stumbled upon an event at the local school and caught a glimpse of daily life. Later that afternoon, we boarded the boat to head back to Busan.
Japan left an impression on me and I can't wait ...

... Use simple and possessive pronouns
Use simple conjunctions
Uses self-control
I think they should do one for teachers too!
I could go on about school ****, but I will try to stay professional and say that this job is terrific, fantastic and super great!

Morikoro Park
We had Monday off last week making it a long weekend thanks to Marine Day :o) We went to Morikoro Park after 5, only thing I wanted to see was the fireworks...unfortunately ...

3rd day its 215am local time and I just wanted to give a quick update. so replying to the comments Randi i love you too and Tony we have been eating sushi every meal and drinking sake at dinner (mostly warm sake) and i haven't really asked about the chinese much so we got up and drove to Kyoto this morning. Kyoto is a very traditional Japanese city - it was the capital for many years and it has lots of history. there are tons of ...

We are about to leave so I only have a couple of minutes. We are on our way to Kyoto for the day and karaoke tongiht. yesterday we toured the school and listen to a couple of lectures. we had our official welcome\farewell ceremony dinner party at the hotel last night. again we ate like 30 courses and drank lots of sake. a dentist that had been to mexico five times sat at my table and we were able to communicate in spanish ...

its 645am here - went to bed fter two but just got up because it was 100 degrees in the room and we cant figure out how to turn the freakin heat off. virgil just called the manager up and he doesnt speak english but he propped the door open and left we got off the freakishly long plane ride at 530pm local time (25 hours since waking up in san antonio and going to the airport) and met the japanese students in the airport. my student brought sake and beer for ...

... a natinal treasure. So much more natinal and international tourists may visit Himeji castle. In my opinion, however, Hikone castle was better than Himeji in its historical appearance, although it was a little bit younger than Himeji. It is sure that Himeji is very beautiful with whity appearance like a heron, but I felt that it was too organized for visitors. On the other hand, Hikone has something to make us feel nostalgia like mossy ramparts, an ...

... the interior protective walls that surround the main castle or 'donjon' as referred to by the Japanese. It's presence strikes a chord of serenity within me as I find myself at the base of the castle now. I am later informed that Hikone Castle also has the unique ability to change dramatically in appearance in accordance with the changing of the seasons. No longer the defense stronghold it once was, the air of tranquility that surrounds the entire complex can ...

... can you help it when your whole life is surrounded by music!? It's great! :) Living in Japan has been interesting lately. Yesterday and today we had our last bit of job orientation at the government building. It was nice to get away from our everyday school routine (seeing as how we're not yet teaching) and as always, it was great to hang out with other JETs and listen to 2nd and 3rd year JETs' stories about life. Seeing as ...

... I love this part of teaching in Korea!) I saw the finest castle in Japan nicknamed 'the white crane' in Himeji, went to Kobe and walked around (mostly uphill) on a sore ankle, Walked around the larger-than-life neon and concrete jungle that is Osaka, and even stayed one night in a capsule motel no larger than a coffin. However, the most profound experiences I had were in Kyoto. While in Osaka I happened upon a store that upon closer inspection seemed to be selling ...

... du ist einer schu schu compot. Anyway, Henry is a teacher from New Zealand who comes over in what seems like two or three year periods and then goes back loaded, the exchange from Yen to Kiwi dollars is pretty special apparently. Taku and Masami then arrived straight from the Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine (i think). Masami was dressed in her Kimono and looked very cool. Apparently the belt of the Kimono can set you back $2000. After a few more ...