Now I will finish my update of Japan!
March 24th
Today we woke up early to go to Genny's
Japanese lesson with her. It was free, and was a "free speech"
lesson where you just talk. Donnah and I talked to these 2 women
who didn't know much English at all, and one woman who knew it
well. They were so nice and they were EXTREMELY patient with us.
Donnah and I then went off by ourselves as
Genny had to work. I ordered us some more McDonalds (not that I
wanted to eat it particularly, it was just the only thing I could
order by myself!) and then we went to Osakajokoen (Osaka Castle
Park) It was gorgeous. The park was gigantic and it was a really
nice day out. We just rode our bikes all around the park and then
locked them up to hike up the hill to the castle.
It was 600 Yen to get in (about 6 dollars)
and Genny had said that it wasn't necessarily worth it, so we just
walked around and enjoyed the scenery. We then biked back to
Genny's house as we were both really tired and wanted to nap before
we went out for Karaoke with Genny's friends. It was interesting
trying to find our way back to the apartment, but The JR line
(Japanese Railway) runs all around the city so if you ride next to
it, you will most always get back to Genny's. So, Donnah and I took
a nice long nap and now she is finishing her book and I am typing to
you and we both are snacking on corn chips. In a bit we are going
to go have Ramen for dinner. Yes, thats right, Ramen.... however
its not the dried just add water stuff we get in the states.
Apparently it is really good, and Genny says they sometimes add pork
and scallions. Mmm. We will the come back and hang out until we
either bike or get the train to Namba to meet Genny for Karaoke.
March 28th
Friday we went to
Universal Studios Japan. Genny had to work so we went by
ourselves. When the alarm went off, Donnah asked for 10 more
minutes. 2 hours later, everyone woke up again. We decided to get
in gear and head out. So, by the time we got to the gates, the
woman informed us that if we waited 40 min we could get in for a
half day and it would be about 2000 Yen (20 dollars) cheaper. So,
we walked around and found some cool shops and then went over to the
park. It was ok...not the best thing I've ever done, but it was
fun. We then headed home, bought a cream puff in a part of the city
called Namba, returned, went to bed almost right away.
Saturday we did something amazing. We got
on the train and went to a place called Koyasan. It is where the
guy who brought Buddhism to Japan from China lived and started his
work. There are a bunch of beautiful temples on top of a mountain
here in Japan. To get there, you have to take a train from Imazato
(Genny's stop) to Namba, then switch train lines and get on the
Nankai line and stay on that for 1 1/2 hrs until the end of the
line. Once you get outside the commercial area, the mountains
start and the train line is run over the most amazing mountainside I
have ever seen. You then get off and catch the connecting cable
car that brings you half the way up the mountain. It is a VERY
steep and soooo cool. Once you get half way up, you catch a bus
that brings you the rest of the way up. Once you're there, the main
site to see is the cemetery and lantern temple. There is a
HUMONGOUS BEAUTIFUL cemetery there that has been there since the
beginning of Buddhism in Japan. Anyone who is anyone is buried
there, because it is said that this place will be the first place
the Buddha will return to when he comes back to Earth. Therefore,
they are in prime position to be the first to meet him when he comes
back. Anyway, we walked the path through the cemetery up to the
temples. The cemetery was gorgeous, in the middle of a forest
pretty much. The first temple we came to had a little shack out
back where you can help yourself to green tea. We then walked
around and got candles and incense and Donnah lit a candle for her
mum, and I lit one for grampie and papa, lit our incense and
splashed water over the Buddhas. After that, we discovered the
revered lantern temple. Inside, the entire place was filled with
lanterns, some which have been burning for if not hundreds,
thousands of years. It was also beautiful, and Donnah snuck some
pictures even though they weren't really allowed. We then walked
along and saw many other temples. We walked in to one HUGE orange
one with big gold buddhas inside, which I actually felt quite a
connection with. We then walked up to the last place, where, if you
walk across the street, you are faced with the most beautiful site I
have EVER seen! The Japanese Mountain side was right there coming
at us! You know the desktop for the computer with the Blue
Mountains? That was the site we saw, except a thousand times more
majestic.
We then ate dinner of sushi and Tonkatsu
(which I had to walk outside with the waitress and point to the
plastic food advertising what they offer and say Hitotsu (1) to
order) hehe. We then came home and collapsed.
Yesterday we just went to Namba and
shopped. We got suveniers and stuff it was lots of fun actually.
Yesterday night Donnah and Genny both tried Takyyaki which are small
balls of octopus. I would have tried it but my stomach wasn’t
feeling great at the time so I opted out. Today we went to Kyoto
with Genny's Japanese friend Saurie who spoke EXCELLENT English and
saw the Golden temple where we tried Japanese sweets...(we only
found one kind that we liked!) We then went to a Shinto shrine
where the plum blossoms were out and smelled gorgeous. We then went
to Gion which is the Geisha area. We saw one woman in a Kimono and
traditional hair, but no make up. Apparantly the dress is a lot
more intense at night. We then, yes, again, went shopping. It was
nice though. We are really having a wonderful time. I am so tired
that I can't type anymore but I will write again soon.
Jen
