sushi and karaoke

Today was a slow start...which was nice...lying in and no real plans for the day. We got a call from Minae around 2 pm though asking if we wanted to go for sushi with her and her boyfriend. Why not? The sushi place was awesome, it was one of those hyaku-yen places, and it was reeeeaallly goooood! It's actually only like the 3rd time I've had sushi here..bizarre huh? We then went off to karaoke. I so did not want to go. I have this immense fear of singing in front of people. I hear you ask "but you were in the choir!". Yes but that was singing with other people. No one would be able to distinguish me then! Anyway, I couldn't be a spoilsport and say no. So I got dragged there. It was quite funny really. Karaoke is a great way to learn how to read hiragana faster. I tried to follow the lyrics while They were singing japanese songs. I could almost do it..skipping a few symbols here and there. But I reckon if I'd go more often it would actually improve my reading, though I still have no idea what the words actually mean. I actually sang some songs too...so embarressing! It was fun though, I have to admit I had a good time. I guess it's ok when you're not in a really massive group. We then went for some ice cream at sun to moon, and came back home. All in all it was quite a japanese day really!

Are you tired? You've been running around my head all day

Will arrived yesterday!!! We ended up having okonomiyake (?), with Minae and then went home and set up camp. It was then present opening time. I found that 40% of Will's luggage actually consisted of presents from my family. I got soo many coool things! Thank you sooo much guys!!! The monkey is called Edward by the way.
Today we had to get up relatively early because I had a haircut appointment!!! We had to walk though because the spare bike got nicked!!! ARGHHH so upset! Also...seriously Japan...what is the deal with shutting down all banks and ATM's during bank holidays???? Will had to pay for my hair cut and various things...dear dear!

The Hairdressers was an interesting experience. It was quite a posh one..so it was my first time at a "proper" hairdressers. They were all sooo friendly. I was a little scared..and almost felt underdressed. Mikage had to then do the whole translating thing for me...which was a little difficult..but then we realised that the (VERY) cute hairdresser guy doing her hair actually understood and could translate along. So it ended up going ok! My hair doesn't look terrible or anything! yaaaay! We then went for lunch at the thai place and had the longest coffee session afterwards. Todays really been about getting Will to meet mostly the Numazu crew. We met up with Imo, Dave, Katy and Amy for dinner and then went off to SpeakEZ. I got presents from Minae and Mikage! I received japanese kanji learning books and a children's book! I also got mochi!!! So I can make it and try it myself! How awesome?? I then ended up teaching Mikage cheesy chat up lines. It was hilarious hearing them come from a japanese girl. I loved every minute of it. Will taught us both one which was "How do you like your eggs in the morning? Unferitilized." I then had to explain what unfertilized was though...which was a little awkward...try imitating sperm! In the end because 2 other japanese friends wanted to know I made a diagram with explanations....It was an interesting english lesson really!

Happy new year!

Yaaaay! It's 2009! That was a fast year!! Happy new year everyone! I wish you all the best! I hope you're all successful in whatever you have set your hearts on! Be that work, love, a new hobby, a resolution, travel....nani nani...

I ended up meeting up with Minae for dinner at first. There was this guy who was studying next to us. And I guess my curiosity was a little too obvious...so he asked me if I wanted to know what I was studying in english. Turns out his english was really good, and that he was studying accounting. We got chatting a bit, and he ended up being a translator for some parts of the conversation, as I was trying to explain to her the workings of some guys minds. It's funny, Nao said he thought I was very wise about guys and knowledgable. I was laughing because I know I get teased at home for exactly the opposite. I think I just have an advantage over some of the girls here...it seems it's possible to be even more innocent! Which you know...isn't a bad thing...unfortunatley it's not so helpful when others are corrupt.
We then got him to come along to the new years party. It was really good. It was Dj night and so there was cool music and food. Apparently you need to eat Soba on new years eve because it indicates a long life? (soba noodles are verrrry long).
The place really filled out the closer it got towards 12. Again there weren't actually that many foreigners, it was mainly japanese people. Which rocked. It makes you speak to people, and try to speak in japanese/english. there should be a word for that..... japlish! Aha! Add that to the dictionary!

sorry I got sidetracked. Anyways!! It was awesome. There was this one Dj who seriously rocked the dance floor. It was a mix of hip hop/RnB/house/garage/pop/dance. Really strange! But it got everyone dancing and rocking. It was great after the count down. Everyone was hugging each other saying happy new year. It was a good party.

Kobe

Well...I miss kyoto..It was such a beautiful place! Anyways....We went off to Kobe the next day, after having a long lie in. Getting up early and walking around all day actually takes it's toll! We met up with Matt at the station in Kobe and went off to his halls. It was a little bit of a mission, because technically he wasn't allowed ot have guests, so we had to go in groups...and act non chalant. It felt like we were on some mission! We then went off to harbour land and had a snoop around. A lot of things were shut- again because of the oncoming holidays. I didn't really like it too much. It was strange it felt more like England...and the beach...and cheesy...it didn't feel very japanese at all. Not that I don't like england...but that cheesy beach feel isn't that great. The city is very shopping centre orientated. It had a cool Afflex palace version though which went on underneath the train tracks. It was pretty cool looking. We decided to go home early though, because Matt was quite ill and because everything was shut for the holidays there wouldn't be much to do. So I ended up on the train yesterday back home.

Nara

3rd day in Kyoto. We originally wanted to go off to the museums but then realised that a lot of things were shut due to the oncoming new year celebrations. So we spontaneously made our way to Nara. I really wanted to go, because I was told by Tom that it's really beautiful. He was right! The town itself, was quite lovely too! Lots of small streets with omiyage shops. We walked up towards the park, and were confronted by a lot of deers...all over the place. They were very tame though and pretty uninterested in us, apart from the possibility of food. We happened upon this temple which looked quite chinese really. We were mesmerized by this Monk doing calligraphy for a customer. Apparently it is custom to have a book or a pad of sorts, and go to every temple to have this calligraphy prayer (?) done. It's like a reminder of every temple I suppose? It's amazing how fluid this monk was moving..the strokes were a piece of art everytime. He was writing for this older man. Halfway through the man turned to me and offered me his second pad/board thing. he said "Please, a gift". I was so honoured! So I had my own calligraphy prayer/souvenir done too. I love this country!!! We then walked through the wood to another temple, and found gorgeous strange looking trees on the way.
I really suggest Nara as a place to visit. If you like beautiful nature and "older Japan".

Golden Temples and Monkeys

I know I know...this blog wasn't written on the actual day these events occurred. But I figured I might as well write it when I have my own laptop and my pictures at hand (which reminds me there are pictures for the previous blog now..should you be interested).
So! Second day in kyoto. I wake up at 8.10am and notice that Anthony is gone. I am the only girl in the dorm room..which is alright, the blokes are all nice, though I am not to sure I like the unisex bathroom....maybe I am more insecure than I thought. Anyways I go to the bathroom and come back to much stirring and my phone ringing loudly. Me; "S%*&*)(*!! I am so sorry!" Climbing up that ladder to my bed as fast as I can to pick up. It's Anthony wishing me a good morning. I feel the need to kill a little gerbil. I kindly point out that the whole room has been woken by my phone ringing.

I get chatting to one of the guys in the dorm after we've all gotten ready. We have a laugh about travels and he tells me about this awesome ninja restaurant in Tokyo. Which I MUST go to! We end up joining up with him (Eric) and his cousin jeffrey and head to the golden temple together. The Temple is beautiful, and very impressive. The surrounding area is also extremely well done. It's the whole japanese thing of doing everything perfectly but including flaws on purpose to make it look like..perfect nature. Very strange.
We then wanted to make our way to monkey park. We weren't entirely sure what to expect. But it was awesome! We walked up this pretty path, and could occasionally hear terrifying squeals...something out of jurassic park... we were fully bracing ourselves for the attack fo genetically mutated monkeys with a liking for human flesh. This did not happen though..instead we found, the higher we walked the more monkeys were lounging around all over the place. They were relatively oblivious to us taking pictures of them. I guess they get that all the time really. I made friends with these 2 japanese students who were discussing the moves of one male monkey on (I hope) a lady monkey. he wasn't very sucessful...I guess his moves were a little obvious. Monkey park is definatley worth going to! It was only 550yen, and for the amazing view you get up at the top..it's worth it, even if you're not a monkey fan!