Imperial Osaka

... and Jack proceeded to take me to a local bar.

Turned out though...the bar was closed (on a saturday night???). We couldn't believe it at first, so Jack, thinking the door was perhaps jammed, put perhaps a bit TOO much force into the door, which, somehow, opened it, in spite of the lock. Whether the lock was only half in or Jack broke the door completely, we'll never know, but it did open! And...there was no one in there. Lots of ...

... Osaka is definitely known for food and we have not been disappointed. We immediately went for the Kansai specialty of okonomiaki (Japanese pancake). Washed down with some shochu, our okonomiaki meal was excellent.

Our travels also took us through a very exclusive part of Osaka with many upscale shops such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc... I was asked if I would write in this blog something that would make fun of these establishments. At the time I said that I ...

Seconds please. I had to go back to Osaka, one way or another (my return flight was leaving from here). Ate just as well if not better than the first go around. Went to the Takoyaki museum at Universal city walk but it was more tako vendors than museum, not such a bad thing. Had simply amazing Kobe ...

... at the station in Osaka. I surprised her with a couchsurfing adventure planned for the nearby Nara Prefecture and the old city of Nara (site of the original capital of Japan). She was excited!

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NIGHT #1:

Our first night was spent with Eri (age 25) and her family. They feed us a wonderful Japanese dinner and set us up in a traditional tatami guest room. Wonderful hosts:) I only wished we'd had more time ...

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.

... met Kaio, and in a couple of seconds it looked like Kaio gave up and stepped out of the ring. At the end there was a bow ceremony, a bow (as in bow and arrow) was given to one of the lower ranked sumo and he did an impressive dance with it. The whole ceremony was really interesting to watch, there was constantly something to look at - the referees change for each bout and they each wear different costumes according to their seniority. I would recommend ...

... a traditional japanese ryoken next week where we have a room with a view - of Mount Fuji!! Can't believe we are at the end of our second week - don't want it to end at all... Us 3 x

... and offer suggestions, but they have a schedule of lessons they follow. This differs form some of my friends who write up all of the lessons themselves, create exams and teach things like debates and essay writing. They are at English language intensive highschools. Lets just say that I am not... Teaching is good, I mean for me it is easy and for the most part it is pretty fun. But I definitely did not become impassioned with it, so that is the FIRST REASON WHY I WILL ONLY STAY 1 YEAR.

... building. As I walked around the building I witnessed some of the most spectacular views I had ever seen; the color tinted mountains, deep blue ocean, concrete city, and the hazy blue sky. As I entered the herb garden, I saw a line of artists who were painting the beautiful scenery. The herb garden was designed in terraces that poured down the mountainside. It was so beautiful to hike through the gardens and pass fields of sweet lavender. The park ...

After our goodbyes we got into the train from Hiroshima back to Osaka. After a western breakfast our parents decided to go out and do some last minute shopping before our trip back to Manila. They told us meet us at the "lobby" at 12 noon. We went back to our hotel rooms and waited till 12. When it was 12 i knocked at Donna's room and told her we should go to the "lobby". It was my first time hear the word and since Donna was older i thought she ...