Osaka it to me (sorry that's lame)

Despite the incongruous lameness of my title, my trip to Osaka was anything but feeble. In fact, by all accounts, it was quite robust and nimble. Take for example the way I sprung off the plane, as if with rubber soles, and bounced smack into a small Japanese gentleman in a suit and hat. To make matters even more turbulent I automatically apologized to him in Korean, he looked none too pleased with this cultural faux pas.

But, on to more interesting and less embarrassing stories! Day one: after getting my visa hoopla out of the way I threaded myself throught the weave and tangle of the Osaka Kintetsu Transit to the Aquarium! It was WELL worth the trip as I was amused and enchanted by the sight of both schools of fish...


as well as schools of children...


That evening Cecilia, my lovely friend and hostest from Kansas (on the JET program), and I went for the obligatory conveyor belt sushi! At 100yen a plate I ate no less than 18 pieces...and 3 melon slices. Could have had more...but felt a bit embarrassed.

Day Two: Kyoto & Climbing

Early rising paid off, as Cecelia and I arrived before the crowds Friday morning at Kiomizudera in Kyoto. A grand wooden platformed temple pearched on a mountainside, Kiomizudera provided a gracious view, holy mountain spring water, and even a chance to test your liklihood of finding love. What more could you ask for in a temple?

The trick is to walk about 20 yards between two stones with your eyes closed. Some how this demonstration of "blind faith" gagues your love potential...or your gullibility. I have suspicions this was a joke the locals play on tourists, like peeing on the Blarney stone, or telling them live octopus is a delicacy (and for the record, I've eaten live octopus, and kissed the stone).

That evening we headed to meet Cecilia's friends at the wall climbing gym. After a couple hours of harness wedgies and scraped knuckles we joined them in their weekly Friday night dinner of Yaki-soba and draft beer.

Day Three: Golden Temples & Geishas

We ventured to Kyoto for a second helping of temples and cultural experiences. After jostling our way through the crowded Saturday market, we hopped on a bus to Kinkakuji, the famous Golden temple. It was quite impressive to see the guilded building doubled in it's own reflection, set statuesuely upon a small lake. To the disillusionment of some, and the amusment of others, we were informed that it was not actually filled with chocolate. We checked, there are bite marks to prove it.

At the exit of the park gates we found a fantastic chimera of tradition and modernity. Fortune telling vending machines! For a mere 100yen and a twist of the coin slot knob you could retrieve your fortune printed on a tiny roll of paper which neatly dropped from out of the chute, like a prophetic gumball.
And if you found it to be an acceptable fate, you could tie it to a line to ensure it's actualization. After reading that I was destined for "ears of rice shining like golden waves" (as long as I "do not give in to drinking or illicite love") I tied it on.


After having secured my future interests, Cecilia and I decided to do some Geisha hunting. We took the mission to Steve Irwin proportions as we darted through the narrow brick alleys of Kyoto, between tea houses and lanterns. The mysterious madames didn't emerge til about dusk as they fluttered with quick tiny steps to their appointments. Cecilia and I flew after them, catching quick glimpses around corners and flash appearances in peripheral vision. But a few close encounters yielded some fantastic shots.