Toyoko Inn Kobe Sannomiya 2

... 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 ...

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.

... below ground), including * 360 degree observ*tion deck.

The origin*l c*stle w*s built in the l*te 16th century during the short-lived *zuchi-Momoy*m* period under the direction of the d*imyo (territori*l lord) Toyotomi Hideyoshi *nd continued through the Sengoku period *nd beyond. For more det*ils, go here http://en.wikipedi*.org/wiki/Os*k*_c*st le.

The funnest p*rt w*s dressing up *s S*mur*i w*rriors with Momok*'s boyfriend, Chi*ki, *nd h*mming it up:)

Osaka, Ōsaka, Japan swami_worldtrav

... its like to not make work Number 1 priority.

Side Note: I noticed a very weird thing here where people (especially girls) will leave their
handbags unattended on chairs in a restaurant/cafe. As in, you think they left their bags behind because they are gone for such a long time. No one is worried about getting their stuff stolen. It is so bizarre just to see a couple of handbags just sitting there for 10 minutes unattended! You would never do that back home.

... Studios don't have, including this one. We put on 3D glasses and got onto a car that resembled a press vehicle. We followed Spidey through the streets of Gotham as he found villains and cursed them in Japanese. It was great fun and quite a thrill ride! Once we exited the ride our "back stage" tour began. We saw a number of different things, including a liquid nitrogen delivery system that utilizes a number of parts including a 40 series valve and Swagelok tube fittings ...

... the earthquake. Ate 'okonomiyaki' which is difficult to describe. It's kind of like a big omelette with meat and noodles in - yet another culinary delight. Japanese food is amazing to be honest. I've tried loads already, including stuffing my face with Sushi, Homer Simpson style. The raw sea urchin however, was truly as disgusting as it sounds, but when in Rome.... Went back to Kobe on Friday as it was my friends flatmates birthday. And special occasions call for special events ...

It's official - I am an alien. Arrived in Kobe (where I will be living) yesterday and had to go to this shopping centre in Myohodi (a suburb of Kobe) today to apply for my Alien Registration Card. Every foreigner needs one of these in order to stay for an extended period of time. After my experiences today, I certainly do feel like an alien - and not just a normal alien - a dirty hippie alien. There are several reasons for this. Firstly everyone here is Japanese. `Well duh, you're ...

... s wine, or Mark's maple candies and maple syrup from Vermont (Mark carries a seemingly endless supply of Vermont maple syrup in his backpack at all times, and hands them out to Japanese people he liked, I'm not joking.) Aaron's host parents welcomed us graciously and provided an all out feast that lasted many hours. Afterward, we lounged around watching kick-boxing on TV. Aaron's father follows kick-boxing closely, but he had drunk nearly a dozen cans of beer, and fell asleep on ...

... most likely going to buy a new digital camera. The thing with my old one is that even though it takes ok quality pictures it`s been a struggle to load it`s batteries, and the thing is that the camera seems to be eating the batteries really fast. One short video clip and the batteries are almost empty. So screw you camera, I`m gonna buy a new lighter one with a bigger memory card and a good charger included, buah! Peace and harmony and such, your Finn in the land of strange customs.