Picking up where the last entry left off! The next morning, we dawdled considerably packing up, but eventually got going with the intent of heading to Fukuoka via the highway bus...except the buses were all cancelled due to snow. D: Snow! Yet when we stepped outside it was barely a flurry and there was nothing on the ground. Ah, Japan. We decided ( Read more... )

and about to be the last one on the plane back to Tokyo. I'll update from there, sorry for the delay!

Has it seriously been a year since last Tanabata!? Unbelievable. Caitlin's been gone a year, Marisa's visit was a year ago, I haven't been home in a year. Bizarre.

It's rainy season here, but we lucked into good weather yesterday, so Orihime and Hikoboshi were able to meet. ;)

Tanabata (七夕, meaning "Evening of the seventh") is a Japanese star ( Read more... )

another handful of updates ignored. :P ( Read more... )

My mother actually pointed out that I hadn't updated my blog, so here's an update. :P ( Read more... )

13 was to be my last day in the city, and it was completely reserved for travel. You may have noticed that as the trip wore on (and was extended two days) I became more and more frugal, going from 5-star hotel to Internet capsule, katsu at popular restaurants to curry at the 24-hour fast food place, and most importantly a private room on the lovely ( Read more... )

There was to be another change of accomodations, so I woke up at 7 AM or so and headed out to Jimbocho to pick up the suitcase I'd left there two days before. I had to pay 600 yen to get it out (300 yen a day, but better than dragging it around) and when I did, I had to repack everything right there by the lockers; the suitcase was stuffed full ( Read more... )

OMG I'M ON A BOAT AND IT IS AWESOME

Whoever invented Mobile Internet is my hero. <3

........OMG I'M ON A TRAIN AND IT IS AWESOME

PASSING THROUGH KUSATSU (Shiga Prefecture) NOW

I WANT TO LIVE ON A TRAIN D: SO COOL

The next day in my backlog of Stuff To Post About was Gion Matsuri's Yoiyoiyama (that is, the 2nd day of festivities before the big parade...the other days are called Yoiyama and Yoiyoiyoiyama)...heralded by the trumpet of heavy rain and rolling thunder. Hooray! I put on my yukata anyway (Marisa wasn't feeling great, and decided to pass) and we set ( Read more... )