Home Stay With The Kudo's

Though unfortunately I only had the opportunity for a brief home stay of Three days, it was a lovely three days nonetheless. I was paired up with the Kudo's who lived in Takarazuka (A suburb between Osaka and Kobe, also the location of my hotel). The family is comprised of Yoko and Keisuke and their children Miki (8) and Heroko (4). The mansion, as Keisuke called it, was a Three Bedroom Apartment that over looked the end of the Rokko Mountain range.

After picking me up from KGU they brought me home and made me some Osaka style Okonomiyake which I much prefer ove the Okonomiyake I tried in Hiroshima. The later style has noodles squished between two pancakes wheres the former is more like a pancake with onions and cabbage mixed in. After lunch they took me to Arima, the home of one of Japan's oldest onsens (Hotspring). Arima is a small village nestled between the Rokko mountains. When we first arrive the whole village was quite busy with tourists. We walked around for a bit and tried a special type of cracker only made in Arima.

We then headed up a big hill to the Onsen. As is the Japanese custom you get to know each other while naked as it allows there to be no barriers between you. I suppose this works and you get use to the sight of naked old men everywhere. After about an hour or so of trying all the different types of baths I went into the Sauna for a final sweat. The Japanese tradition is to soak in cold water after sauna. I quite like this as it woke me up from the nearly comatose state I had attained over the last hour. The onsen was the perfect first day considering I was just recovering from the previous night.

On Sunday after a traditional japanese breakfast we decided to head to the Osaka Expo. Unfortunately, Yoko could not come as she had to go to work. We headed off with Kids in tote. After about a 25min drive from Takarazuka we arrived at the large park. On the far side of the central pond stood the famous sun tower. It kind of looks like a giant seal with a golden satellite where its face would otherwise be.

We headed over to the Ethnology Museum which one of the Expo's largest attractions. The building host a very large exhibit contrasting the ethnicities of the world. It was quite interesting to see ethnicities from the perspective of a museum in Japan. After the museum we took a walk around a Japanese garden inside the expo though the kids soon got tired so we decided to call it a day.

When we home, Yoko had returned from work. After having some appetizers on the balcony, we had temaki (handrolls) for dinner. What was different about their handrolls than anything I had had before was the inclusion of a leaf into the roll which added a lemongrass like flavour to the rice and fish. I quite enjoy the meal especially with beer.

On our last day we decided to head out to Nara an ancient Japanese capital in a valley to the east of Osaka. After a western breakfast of pancakes, we headed off on the one and a half hour car ride. Our first temples was the Todai-Ji. The temples size is immense and barely comprehensible from a picture. The main building house Japan's largest buddha. On the backside of this building there was a hole in one of the pillar which was reportedly the same size as the Buddha's nostril. I unfortunately did not fit through Buddha's nostril. They will have to build a bigger buddha so I can fit through his nose.

After a lunch in the park, we headed out to the next temple which was a good half hour drive. Founded first in 607 AD the Horyu-ji temples house some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. The complex include a five story pagoda, the original temple in addition to a museum which holds numerous cultural artifacts. It was incredible to be an numerous building that were more than 1000 years older than almost any Canadian building.

After an incredible day we head back to Takarazuka where the Kudo's dropped me off at the hotel. Hopefully I will see them again before leaving.

Update On 2000 Yen Challenge

Just an update, though it is some what delayed. So it turns out I ruined the whole competition. After two days of the fasting techniques, granola and grape fruit diets, and Facebook food feast taunting everyone seemed somewhat fatigued by the competition. There was increasing discussion of the poor layout of incentive structure. It also became evident who was still in the running and who was not. I decided that the incentives were no longer worth the reward (also I was hungry). I announced my withdrawal and within one hour the whole competition had been canceled much to my astonishment. I had not considered that I might have that much social clout. Perhaps my withdrawal broke the illusion of social commitment.

2000 Yen Challenge

So I have agreed to a 2000 Yen ($25) challenge. I can only spend 2000 yen between this morning and Friday afternoon. Supposedly this is a challenge though I don't think it is very hard. If I had a kitchen it wouldn't even be a challenge yet a large component of the challenge  lies in having to eat out for every meal or pick up something from a grocery store. Though unfortunately a grocery store is not al that cheaper for prepared meals than would be a restaurant. In a stroke of luck, I have 1 kilo of granola acquired from a trip to Costco on Saturday.

Kyoto

Sorry for the lack of posts. Everyday I ponder the possibility but am always put off by the ever increasingly growing task of recounting the trip so far. Everyday the task grow dauntingly larger.

To avoid this never ending cycle of intimidation I have chosen to just start at yesterday and then back track from there.

At 7am we made way for Kyoto on a charter bus. We were going on the expressway so we had to strap in with seat belts yet a on a previous trip to Hiroshima we had no such requirement. Perhaps only bus rides to the Imperial city need be safe. 

Our first stop was the Golden Pavilion. The park is not that large with the loop around the pavilion only being about a 10 minute walk. The Golden temple itself is oddly surreal, almost plasticy from a distant. It kind of looks like someone supersized a Japanese charm bracelet charm and stuck it in some nice gardens. Though I suppose I shouldn't diminish the awe of a gold leafed building. Apparently, I outpaced the rest of the group making it to the end much quicker than everyone else. 

The next stop was Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (Kyoto Studio Theme Park). Supposedly a movie studio that produced many of Japan's most famous titles prior to the predominance of American cinema. Though perhaps a somewhat kitschy attraction, the events were entertaining nonetheless. Including a ninja sword fighting demonstration and a Ninja drama. I also found a family of face cuts outs to use for me Facebook profile.

Next stop was the Imperial Palace. Occupied until the Meiji Restoration in 1868 when the Emperor was moved to Tokyo the palace was the home of the Emperor for the previous 350 years during the Tokugawa period. Apparently visiting the palace is a big deal as we required a security check to get in. This was a nice bonus as the palace was empty except our tour group and it made the experience feel a little more unique.

Cottage/ Kingston

Went to the cottage with my Mom. Left late in the night arrived early in the morning. Winding roads are nice at night. Cottage radio has not improved in my absence.

I wake up late. Explore the dock I am told needs a board replaced. Discover I need to build a dock. Draft plans for floating cedar fortress. Acquire timber from skinny lumber yard boy. Frame dock. Stain Dock. Dock Complete. 

Go for canoe to palace of falling water. Eat goat cheese, prosciutto and crackers at the top of a hill. Paddle back.

Numerous attempts to participate in conference calls find limited success with a lack of touchtone phone or consistent internet connection. 

I depart the 1970's world of my cottage for Kingston. 

Stop at family friends. Look at horses and hotrods. 

Drive hurriedly eastward at the head of a torrential downpour.

Arrive in Kingston. The new house house is definitive of a student house. 

Phil takes me to Tumbleweed. Country music and too much beer.


Wake up. A Lovely haircut and hand massage. Pan chancho Bakery. Fail to recall the details of the night. 


Courtney, Elyse and I rides bikes across Wolfe Island. Sunburns are had. I crown Courtney Queen of Seaweed.


BBQ and the loss of my bible study virginity. An odd juxtaposition of phrases.


Wake up. Pan Chancho for the second morning. Meet with Craig. Talk about consulting. Leave for the train station. Phil nearly run me over. Train is late because the rails are hot.

Packing

To pack or to discard? The question possesses me. I have been relatively successful in not accumulating things besides books this year. Though I question many of things I brought and never used. Too many books. I have a total weight potential of 120lbs plus two boxes I will ship back. These are the uninteresting details of my life.

Seattle

Sam and I departed early saturday morning for the Emerald City. We intended to depart at 7am but soon realized our plans would be upset by our lack of access to a car. After a series of redials to Michael and Charles, we contacted Tori, who thankfully rises early. We acquired keys from a naked Charles and depart in our German sedan.


Soundtrack is a mix of indie and electronic sounds.


We arrive at the border. The line is long. In front of us three middle aged motorcyclists closely resemble the Top Gear cast. They have an almost clairvoyant ability to predict the movements of the line.


After passing the border, Sam decides my need for urinary discharge is an opportunity for his own amusement. I am told I ought to take this as an challenge to explore the strength of my sphincter. I am unimpressed. Though I possess the knowledge that a stop will be prompted by either a need for breakfast or shopping outlets. Countless reststops pass and with them the potential for relief as well as the exploration of unknown American fastfood outlets; Jack in the Box I shall never know thy name. My solace lies in knowing that the first outlet mall is at exit 227. The border starts around 280 but the erratic speed at which the exits pass obscures the comfort this may have provided. 


Finally we arrive at exit 227. I run to the edge of the building and aim to make a small creek out of a ditch. Sam and I are overjoyed at the presence of a Filson outlet. How could this have happened? This shit never goes on sale. Sam acquires a bag to match mine, he pays significantly less than I. I buy a Levis Filson bomber jacket, though it fits him. I win this battle. We also buy lovely bridle leather belts. I buy a a Lululemon zip-up sweater. Sam tells me the name is unpronounceable by the Japanese and is the product of some incredulous Japanese investors. I will surely bring my rururemon to Japan.


We play fart Tennis until the next outlet.


Teledo Tulip Outlet (this is a grossly inaccurate representation of its name) has nicer shops but bore less purchases. We ate. Some ladies told us we looked classic because we were looking at Persols. Sam succeeded in navigating his way back to the highway; quite the accomplishment.


Seattle is quite a nice city to arrive in; the first genuine rolling city scape I have seen. Vancouver lacks this alluring quality though makes up for it with a vista of mountains. We drove around looking for somewhere with free parking and wifi to book a hotel. A McDonalds on the outskirts that smelled of rotting fish did the trick. We booked the first Four star and yelled home to Bel Air or the Sheraton, whichever you please.


After flipping the wheels over to a valet we checked into the hotel, it was definitively the second nicest hotel I have stayed in this year.


We set out to pursue the tourist activities. We walked down to the harbour. A gospel group scatted on the boulevard. Pike's market was bustling with activity. I pondered whether these people were actual citizens buying groceries or just tourist buying groceries. We found a store which sold prints. Most doctors surveyed smoked Camels.


Next was Nordstrom's Rack. Sam bought Persols; because we are classic. We fought over who ought to have the better case. Sam is bad at zero sum games.


We went for dinner and ate seafood.


Business crisis ensued.


We woke up. We went home.