Together Again

This time we only had to wait 2 months and 2 weeks to see each other again. Much more bearable than the 7 months we went through previously.

Dan arrived on March 14th and so began our 10 day whirlwind of Japan. We went mostly to places I had never been to before, so it was really fun, because you get to see everything together for the first time. We started in Osaka (after I took 2 wrong trains and nearly cried to the train lady because I didnt know I was on the super fast super expensive train) where I was a little late to picking Dan up at the airport (see above). But, we made it to our hotel and started exploring right away!

The first night we went to an amazing Middle Eastern restaurant called Cafe Absynthe and had yummy yum yum falafels and mutton and hummus. The owners were Israelis so we chatted for a bit. Dan tried absynthe, and we called it a night. (Absynthe now-a-days doesnt have the same ingredients as it used to, it just tastes like black licorice)

On Saturday we started off at the Osaka Aquarium, which has a massive tank holding its prime star, the Whale Shark! Also in there was a really cool manta ray. We spent a long time at the aquarium (obvs) but it was really fun. Then we went off to have a relaxing time at Spa World, a massive complex with one floor Asian-themed and one floor Europe-themed and depending on the month one floor is for males and one for females. We also went on a water slide, which was cool.

That night we had Mexican food. It was freaking amazing. I cant wait to be home.

Sunday we went to Osaka Castle and hung out around Nanba. Then back to little rice town ...

Monday and Tuesday there were sports games being played at my school, so I signed Dan and I up for soccer. We were on the teachers team and traded off playing 3.5 minutes of the 7 minute game. Dan had to go show off and scored the first and winning goal of the first game! I made an assist in the second game, which I was quite proud of. The teachers started calling Daniel "KaKa", after the famous Brazilian soccer player. They called him Kaka the rest of the time he was here.

Monday afternoon I set up a private calligraphy lesson for Dan and I with my teacher. It was really cool, but Daniel still needs to work on his yoko and tate strokes. Tuesday we played more soccer, chatted with shy and giggly students, and then the big surpise came!

I told Dan I had a meeting in the afternoon, but one of the teachers would come get him when I was done and take him to where I was. Little did he know as he was waiting I was getting dressed in a beautiful pink kimono, anxiously awaiting his arrival. He was brought to the tea ceremony house and told to sit in the guest seat, closest to the tea pot. I figured I must be around some where, but I am sure he was suprised when I walked over to him in a kimono, carrying his tea. I sat down in front of him, gave him his tea, dozo goyukuri, please drink. A success! I didn't spill the tea AND Dan was suprised!

Wednesday we were supposed to go on this amazing hike in Nara but it was raining so we decided to just do the regular tourist thing in Nara and check out the Buddha. Glad we did! The buddha is massive, I think it is third largest in the world or japan/ ill have to double check that. He is housed in the largest wooden structure in the world. There is also a whole of enlightenment you are supposed to go through .... Daniel made it, I was too scared to do it in front of all the Japanese people and get stuck.

Wednesday night we did yakiniku with lots of friends in Nabari, went back to Oli's house for an awesome chilling session, then slept in preparation for our next 4 days of sight seeing.

Thursday to Sunday we spent in Kyoto, with Saturday in Osaka at the sumo tournament. We visited illuminated temples at night, saw geishas walking the streets of Gion, ate amazing Indonesian food, walked the ponto-cho and kiyamachi areas, rode our bikes from Gion to Golden Pavilion and back, saw the infamous rock garden at Ryojin, and as our last temple, walked around Kiyomizudera, a little sad that we were a week early for cherry bloosom boom.

Sumo was one of the best days of the trip. Nothing beats seeing big fat men hit themselves and then launch themselves at each other. It was one of the only things I wanted to accomplish in my time in Japan .... Check!

Now, only 2 more months until the next time I see Kaka. Pictures coming soon!