FUK-KIX-GRE-OSK-NAR-KIX-FUK.

Hello again, dear readers!

'Tis I, WR: Row-of-the-Rowstein, Conqueror of Kyushu, and Slayer of Standardized Tests.  Last weekend was a BIG one for me, so that's pretty much all I'll talk about.  I traveled to Osaka and took the GRE, or the Graduate Records Examination, for the second time (Spoiler Alert:  I did better this go 'round) and I took a day trip to Nara.

But, let's start at the beginning.

The night before I left, I had dinner with a friend and we stopped by the local Daiso (100円 shop) for some supplies.  I caught sight of this gem before checking out.  It was on the cover of a small, plasticized notebook.

Well.  Okay, then.

Good to know I've got the first two tenets of relaxation covered, at least.  Anyway, I went home and painstakingly packed for the following day.  (Since I left for the airport directly from work, I had to have everything I needed with me, and nothing more.)  As a chronic over-packer, I was quite proud of my efforts.  I managed to keep it to a single, relatively light backpack, shown below.  I even had room for souvenirs, my foldable fan, umbrella, etc.

Traveling light, mo fo's.

After my Friday work-day was completed, I left my school (encouraged by a chorus of "Ganbatte!" from all my coworkers) and went to the Fukuoka International Airport.  Here I am, waiting to board and readying myself for my less-than-favorite activity, flying.

Bring it, Osaka.

Just before we ascended above the clouds, I got this shot of the tip of Kyushu (at least... I think it's the northern tip of Kyushu).

See you later, Kyushu!

While flying the incredibly short and convenient 1 hour flight to Osaka, I flexed my Japanese language muscles by reading the Peach Tourist Deals.  I was particularly interested in the blue one, which offered a discount ticket to the station I knew I was going to: Nanba.

"Peach - Nanba Ticket."

I was so proud of myself for being able to read most of it and, at the very least, figure it out.  I thought, "Man!  Look how far my Japanese has come in a year!  I mean, I'm in no way fluent... or even very functional... but I CAN READ THIS.... THING!"   My feeling of victory faded somewhat, though, when I flipped the card over and saw this:

Oh.  It's in English, too.

Well, at least I was certain of what I was buying, right?   And I conducted the translation in Japanese, so that's something.  The Peach ticket was actually a pretty great deal for two reasons:

1.)  It was cheaper; about 400円 off the usual price.

2.)  And it was WAAAAY easier.  I paid 1000円 in cash to the Airline Attendant, while still in flight.  She gave me a simple stamped receipt and a train schedule, then she told me to exchange the receipt at the Nankai Desk.  So, now armed with the train schedule, I knew that I shouldn't dally in the airport (as there would be a soon-to-be-departing Rapid).  So, I quickly walked to the terminal bus, transferred to the main area, and walked directly to the Nankai desk.  When I got to the front of the line, there was ZERO hesitation on the part of the clerk.  He took my receipt, pointed to a sign that indicated that the next express would leave in 8 minutes, I said "Yes, please," and he handed me my ticket.  Easy, easy, easy.

I was off the plane, out of Kansai Airport, and on my way to Osaka in under 20 minutes.  BAM. 

WR: Tamer of Trains.

I took the Rapid from KIX to Nanba station in central Osaka.  Then, I walked, transferring from one Nanba station to another Nanba station (there's, like... 4 of them) and caught the Midosuji Subway line north, riding to my temporary home-station: Nishinakajima-Minamikata.  (Longest name ever, no?)  Lastly, I walked the short three blocks to arrive at my hotel.

Home sweet momentary home!

The Sunny Stone Hotel.  Cute, clean, cheap, nice staff, and great breakfast.  Off the beaten path for most vacationers, I'd think, but perfect for me and the GRE (which was only one subway stop away).  The room was very small, by American standards, but I've more or less gotten used to this style of hoteling.  Here's a shot of my room.

That's it.  Yep, all of it.  The entire bedroom space is about the size of a California king-sized bed.  There's no closet or drawers, just a space near the door with 1 shelf and 3 hangers.  So, yes.  Small.  But it was perfect for me and my one weekend.

I'll spare you the boring details about the GRE process, accept that I took it and I think I did pretty well (definitely better than when I took it 5 years ago).  Major hurtle now overcome, I left the testing center and explored my favorite parts of Osaka.

 

Since it was about 2:30 pm at this point, and I'd only had breakfast at 7:30 am and a single onigiri at 10:30 am, I was ravenously hungry and on the prowl for okonomiyaki (a savory-Japanese-pancake-quiche-thing... shut up, it's delicious).  I walked and walked and walked until I finally saw a restaurant sign that caught my eye.  Here's a shot of the menu.

おいしいそう！

I ordered the "Waraiyaki Cheese" because it is "popular for women."  I thought, "I'm a woman.  Why not?"  And, DAMN.  It was freaking delicious.  I topped that bad boy with some of that super-tasty blue seaweed and some chili powder, and I relished every creamy, crunchy, spicy, savory bite.

NOM, NOM, NOM.

After lunch, I continued my walk around the area.  I walked through a large chunk of Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Umeda, and Osaka Station.  Photo highlights!

A look down at a popular shopping street.

Entrance to Dotonbori.

Part of the Dotobori Riverwalk.

Shinsaibashi.

The foot-traffic is so heavy here,
there are pedestrian lights.

Nighttime in Umeda.

Oh, Yodobashi Camera.  You're insane.

So, all in all, that Saturday was a great day, despite sitting for a 5 hour standardized test.  The next day, I got up early and caught a train to Nara.  I've been wanting to go to Nara since I first got interested in Japan.  It was Japan's capital city during the Nara period, and it's full of beautifully preserved temples and statues (it's even an UNESCO World Heritage site).

And there's deer everywhere.  Wild-but-tame deer.  I love deer.  So, I had to go.

When I arrived, I hopped on the 200円 Loop Bus which took me from the train station to the nearest string of temples and parks.  I was going to walk, but when I told the lady at the information desk, she said, "Hmmm.  You want to walk.  Hmmm.  It will be... 35 degrees today.  Do you know 35 degrees?"  That's mid-nineties in Fahrenheit.  I replied.  "Oh, yes.  I know 35 degrees.  (Pause)  Which bus do I get on?"  She gave me this English map and walking directions, and off I went.

Nara!

As soon as I got off the bus, there were deer.  Deer everywhere!  かわいいいい！ (Cuuuuute!)  I took many, many, many pictures on my 5 hour cross-Nara-hike... but, for the sake of your attention span, dear reader, I'll cut Nara down to a few of the photo highlights.

This one looks like it's reading the sign.
Tee hee, tee hee.  A deer.  READING.

Me and my deer friends!
(It's a pun!  Get it?  Bwaaahaha.)

A lovely greenspace.

 The deer are well treated in Nara.
Look at all those colorful buckets!

 

First stop: Todaiji Temple to see the Daibutsu.

My ticket to enter Todaiji.

Gorgeous!

Todaiji temple!  (I think) it's the biggest wooden structure in the world.  Or it was.  Or it is.  I'm not sure, but it's huge.  The funny thing?  It's just seems scaled up.  Looking at the picture, at first, it doesn't seem all that big, right?  But look at the people standing in the doorway.

Daibutsu! The biggest bronze of
Vairocana in the world!

More statues.

More statues.

I believe it's supposed to be good luck, if you can wriggle through the opening in the post (shown above).  As I watched child after child shimmy their way between the planks, a family came up to me and asked, in Japanese, if I would try it (indicating that they would take my picture for me, if I wanted).  I smiled and said, "No, no, no.  I'm too fat."  Then I gestured with my hands, showing that I'd get stuck.  We all laughed.  (But, really.  C'mon.  I can barely find Japanese pants in my size.  I'm not going to shove my way through that.  I don't want to learn the Japanese term for "jaws of life.")

One last look at the beautiful building.

Leaving Todaiji, I followed a path leading up through the hills of Nara, stopping at several temples and shrines and parks along the way.

The mascot of Nara.  Sento-kun.
Or, as I like to call him, "AHH, SCARY!"

I made my way to a park on the far east side of Nara.  I saw a group of deer (a herd?  a gaggle?  a conspiracy?) sleeping in the shade of some trees.  I took this picture as I first came upon them.

Then, I took another as I stood nearby.  Notice the baby deer?  S/he stood up from their nap as I approached, walking forward with sudden (and adorable) interest.

 And then it came even closer, to get a good look at me.

And then it smelled my iPhone.

It seemed to like me, so I petted her/him on the nose and scratched behind it's ears.  It seemed to like that part a lot, and followed me for a block or so (knowing full-well that I had no food).  Cute, cute, cuuuuute.

Alas... there was more of Nara for me to see.  Onward!   More pictures!

At JR Nara station, just before leaving, I took a picture of the mildly lame "Photo Op" sign, capturing the date.  The sign doesn't nearly do Nara justice, as it's a beautiful place and a very do-able day trip from Kyoto, Osaka, or Kobe.  I highly recommend it.

So, there you have it!  I conquered the GRE, shopped Osaka, and hiked Nara, all in one gloriously exhausting weekend.  Now, I'm looking forward to my husband's visit (in 16 days) and my in-laws visit (in 18 days)!  Hooray!

Thanks for reading and don't forget to feed the fish!
WR