Three Day Weekend!

This week we have Monday off. It is National Respect for the Elderly Day. My family did not know of any festivals or anything to do, so I hung out with my friends and we had a nice three day weekend. Despite a lot of miscommunication in trying to find people, getting off at the wrong station, and the ridiculous heat, we had a good time. I am thankful that I have people to laugh with and speak English with (most of my friends are beginners; they use me as the translator and person who asks all the questions...I try to do my best!). It is nice to get a break from constant Japanese that fills up my week days...

Despite the fact that every Japanese person learns English during their middle and high school years, no one here seems knows how to correctly spell or put a sentence together! See the pictures and you'll know what I mean. On the other hand, their use of plastic food to display restraunt entrees is a very good tactic, especially for those who can't read the menus!

I had planned to go to Kyoto to visit my old neighborhood this weekend, but, due to the gross and rainy weather, I am putting it on hold. One thing you never do in Japan (or at least in Osaka), is forget to carry an umbrella! Even when it is sunny, it can start to rain unexpectedly at any time.

I am getting the hang of taking trains in the area. You really can get *anywhere* in Japan by train. There are quite a few different lines, but it makes sense after you have experience. Some of the trains are even double decker ones. Very cool.

Here are pictures from Osaka, Kyoto and the Mexican Heritage Celebration we went to. Also, I went bowling with other Kansai Gaidai students, it was a lot of fun. The shoes came out of a vending machine! I got to the Mexican thing 10 min. before it ended, so not much to share except pretty fountains. It was at the Sky Building in Osaka, one of the tallest!

Today (Monday) we ventured out to Osaka Castle, which was built in 1583. It underwent renovation in 1997, but most of it still is the way it was then. It is pretty amazing that you can go there and see it all. At the very top, you can see the entire city of Osaka (panoramic). I will put those pictures up next!