- Takatsuki-shi: My First weekend in Japan I spent with Andrea, Rodrigo, Jukka. We went to Takatsuki, the city of my homes jurisdiction, and did random shopping and sight seeing. This brings back so many memories! I was so nervous but excited to go out and make my way around Japan on my own. I really wanted to start my time here on a good note, and I definitely did! We went to see Gake No Ue No Ponyo as well (^_^)
- Around Osaka: With homestay family! This was a really nice day I remember. My family took me to all of these places around Osaka, like museums and a beautiful view of Osaka from a mountain outlook.
- Whitey Town: Haha, somehow I ended up hanging out with DJ, Jesse, Osso and we explored Whitey Town together in Osaka. Whitey Town is the name of the underground shopping "town" by the main JR and Hankyu stations. I learned about the Hanshin Tigers that day from Jesse.
- Aika's Elementary School: Ah, Undoukai! I went to my Host-neices elementary school to see her sports day. It was interesting using a childrens size Japanese style toilet! Throughout the day a lot of children stared at me and I got a lot of english phrases shouted at me. It made me feel like someone famous to be honest.
- Kyoto: Group trip to Shrines. Went with Andrea, Osso, Johanna, Julia, Christine, Kazuki, and Katie. It was on this trip the rest of us started to realize that Johanna and Kazuki were probably going to start dating at some point! I tried Macha flavored ice cream for the first time on this trip!
- Banpaku Koen: With Andrea and Homestay Mom. I dragged Andrea along with me because my Homestay mom invited me to go and I didnt' want to go alone! Banpaku Koen is a park with this huge butt ugly statue from the 70's or something like that. My favorite memory is feeding the koi fish. They swarmed over eachother and just went crazy when we threw food down to them. I absolutely love Koi fish and hope to have my own pond someday now.
- Kyoto: Oh gosh, I remember this day! I had barely any sleep and hadn't taken a shower or changed clothes because I had been out drinking with friends and stayed the night at Katies house. I went with my homestay mum and dad to a famous shopping area and museums, as well as saw ikebana aka flower arrangements
- Uji: My trip to the Byoodoin with Tim, Osso, Akinori is hands down one of my favorite days spent in Japan. Byoodoin is an old buddhist temple featured on the back of the ten yen coin. Gorgeous place.
- Mt Heizan and Lake Biwa: My Performing Arts Class spent a day planned by Guilnard Sensei, ending up at a BBQ at his house. I got to trick my friends by playing "white magic" and having a mysterious power of knowing which items my fellow friends chose.
- Noh: a live stage performance at Osaka Gakuin. Boring as hell, couldn't stay awake!
- Banpaku Koen: BBQ with all teachers and students. Got sunburned but had fun playing around and enjoying my first yakiniku experience with everyone!
- Nara: Tim, Sjoerd, Andrea, Christine, Osso and myself went to see the World's largest Buddha statue and feed the deer. Another amazing day.
- Kinkakuji: Andrea Tomami and Aika. This would have been a better day if so much of it hadn't been spent in a car! It was SO crowded at Kinkakuji (the golden pavilion) that I couldn't enjoy it. I plan to go back at a less popular time.
- Nara: Gagaku and Bugaku Performance Johanna, Tim, Osso, Andrea, Sjoerd. Yes, we returned! A traditional court music and dance performance is what drew us this time.
- Arashiyama: Large group of exchange students... but again we went at a time where there were just too many tourists to enjoy it!
- Mt. ..... : Andrea, Tim, Osso, John, Katie, Rod. I can't remember the name of the mountain but it took us several hours to get there and back. My favorite part: the beautiful sunset! But the sheer amount of graves was another aweinspiring moment. They served as a good reminder of the beauty of life and death, and how we should cherish the time we have here.
- Unknown Shrine with homestay fam in Osaka: haha, this was a rather long trip for me because we spent SO much time in the car. I don't understand why Japanese people have cars when such good public transportation is at hand. More often than not the public transportation is much faster.
- Kyoto: Illumination with Tim, Osso, Akinori. Kyoto at night, with beautiful lighting. Aw, words can't describe and neither do pictures, so I won't say anything other than you had to be there!
- Ohara: Gyozanen Ryokan with Tim, John, Katie, Rodrigo, Andrea, Sjoerd. A traditional Japanese Inn, with outdoor hotsprings (albeit manmade ones).
Uffdah! I am exhausted now!
But it was nice to type up such an overview because it helps me gather my thoughts and experiences and lets me better reflect upon them.
