2008年12月31日水曜日
Couch surfers, whale meat and cold weather
We had two couch surfers from America via Korea come stay with us. They were very nice girls. The first night we went to a bar in Namba, my flatmate acted as bartender because the real bartender was absent. The bar was therefore actually closed but we managed to get inside on condition that he pour the drinks. Yesterday I had a very boring day. At 5.30 I went for a run and it was very cold, very cold. Another couch surfer came stay with us. It was great, they cooked us a huge dinner. However, they bought whale! that's just not on- I stoutly refused to eat it. That's one thing Aussies can't do, you would be branded a traitor.
The two girls left to take the midnight bus to Tokyo and I was pretty sick so I just took it easy. In the morning the other couch surfer cooked us lunch, I recommend that people host couch surfers! Lots of free food. Giddy up!
I'm just relaxing today, bracing for New Year's eve partying tonight.
The two girls left to take the midnight bus to Tokyo and I was pretty sick so I just took it easy. In the morning the other couch surfer cooked us lunch, I recommend that people host couch surfers! Lots of free food. Giddy up!
I'm just relaxing today, bracing for New Year's eve partying tonight.
2008年12月28日日曜日
Party and fishing
Last night we went for Stew's international working holiday party. Unlimited drinks-can't complain. Very good atmosphere, everyone was mingling and having a good time. I managed to make the last train home. I had to get up early today. I met up with Natsuko at 9 am at Shin Imamiya. station. We took the Nankai line to Kawachinagano station, near the border between Osaka and Wakayama prefectures, in search of a trout lake. Apparently the water levels were low at the dam, so we looked on the local map and with a little help from an off duty busdriver we made it to the fishing area up in the mountains. Apparently the levels of trout were low, so the man who ran the trout farm put about 10 in our part of the river. Even so, it was pretty hard to catch them, I caught 1, Natsuko caught 1 and then we went back to the trout farm clubhouse. The obachan cooked them up for us and we had a couple of beers. By the time we were finished the owner of the farm had caught all our fish and put them in bags.
Afterwards we went for a walk in the beautiful area. Got home at about 5, we gutted all the fish and cooked them up. They tasted so good! All and all, a great day...
except for Tsutaya video store charging me 420 yen in late fees.
Afterwards we went for a walk in the beautiful area. Got home at about 5, we gutted all the fish and cooked them up. They tasted so good! All and all, a great day...
except for Tsutaya video store charging me 420 yen in late fees.
2008年12月26日金曜日
Christmas
My cousin, Alana came to visit on Wednesday, she came with her boyfriend. They stayed at my house last night. Good fun. We went out for all you can eat sushi, with a free beer it was only 1575 yen, bloody cheap. I ate 10 plates, Alana 9, Daniel had 30...
That was Christmas Eve although it really didn't feel like it. Today I had to work but it was fun, although the weather wasn't. We met up-me, them and Natsuko for some ramen, we walked around for 20 minutes in that maze of a Umeda station looking for their baggage. Eventually we found it, they set off for Kyoto, whilst me and Natsuko went to the ferris wheel in Umeda. It was my first time to ride on it and it didn't dissapoint for 500 yen.
Although quite different from a usual Christmas, all in all not a bad one.
That was Christmas Eve although it really didn't feel like it. Today I had to work but it was fun, although the weather wasn't. We met up-me, them and Natsuko for some ramen, we walked around for 20 minutes in that maze of a Umeda station looking for their baggage. Eventually we found it, they set off for Kyoto, whilst me and Natsuko went to the ferris wheel in Umeda. It was my first time to ride on it and it didn't dissapoint for 500 yen.
Although quite different from a usual Christmas, all in all not a bad one.
2008年12月14日日曜日
Looong walk
Last night we had a house party and then went out to 'Rock Rock', damn that was loud. The night didn't get off to the best start-when asking for directions, two people turned their backs on me! Inside 'Rock Rock' some girls were waiting all night to get a glimpse of a Japanese band who were in the VIP room. I hope they got a picture. I walked home and was watching 'Back to the Future 2' but I fell asleep. Woke at 2 today and we ordered a pizza-pretty good, pretty greasy, feeling pretty sick. I had nothing to do today so i went on a lone 3 hour walk, pretty stuffed when I got back. Originally planned to go into the forest, but it was just too damn scary. Was crossing the big street near my house when a motorcycle gang decided to go through the red light. Absolute morons nearly hit me. It's not too hard-red means stop. Green means go. Although I'm not too sure about the other colour...
2008年12月10日水曜日
Insulted
Today, I was walking back from the station, minding my own business, when an old homeless man besieged me with a volley of colourful insults. I reckon those swear words were the only English he knew. Nonetheless, his mastery of them was quite impressive.
Today I watched 'Back to the Future 2" before heading to work. Teaching two little kids gave me a headache and I was glad it only lasted 50 minutes. After work I went for a walk in the forest. It was very dark, very cold and very spooky. I was absolutely stuffed when I got home at 10.30.
Today I watched 'Back to the Future 2" before heading to work. Teaching two little kids gave me a headache and I was glad it only lasted 50 minutes. After work I went for a walk in the forest. It was very dark, very cold and very spooky. I was absolutely stuffed when I got home at 10.30.
2008年12月8日月曜日
BELATED ACCOUNT : My Return to Australia
I forgot to mention my return to Japan, 05/12/08.
My Dad dropped me off at the airport. While we were waiting for the flight I saw Gary Lyon-the famous Australian retired footballer and television personality!
I thought I had plenty of time to get to the plane but as I approached the terminal the sign flashed 'last call'. I panicked as I imagined missing the flight, I really would've been up 'shit's creek'. I would've been stuck at the airport for one, I would've had to buy a very expensive ticket and miss work, not to mention all the stress and hassle. It was to my great relief then that the lovely lady told me 'don't worry, you have plenty of time' whoo- that was lucky. Just as we were about to leave the tarmac the flight attendant told us that he could smell marijuana and he was calling security, for some reason security never showed up, probably too lazy.
After 3 three hours of mainly sleep we arrived in Cairns. Just waited around and bought a muffin. The flight from Cairns to Osaka was long, I couldn't sleep and my cold was giving me trouble. I was relieved when I arrived at Osaka, Nishi Nari actually seemed good as I approached my apartment building. I bought some food and ate my first meal of the day at about 9.30-happy to be back.
My Dad dropped me off at the airport. While we were waiting for the flight I saw Gary Lyon-the famous Australian retired footballer and television personality!
I thought I had plenty of time to get to the plane but as I approached the terminal the sign flashed 'last call'. I panicked as I imagined missing the flight, I really would've been up 'shit's creek'. I would've been stuck at the airport for one, I would've had to buy a very expensive ticket and miss work, not to mention all the stress and hassle. It was to my great relief then that the lovely lady told me 'don't worry, you have plenty of time' whoo- that was lucky. Just as we were about to leave the tarmac the flight attendant told us that he could smell marijuana and he was calling security, for some reason security never showed up, probably too lazy.
After 3 three hours of mainly sleep we arrived in Cairns. Just waited around and bought a muffin. The flight from Cairns to Osaka was long, I couldn't sleep and my cold was giving me trouble. I was relieved when I arrived at Osaka, Nishi Nari actually seemed good as I approached my apartment building. I bought some food and ate my first meal of the day at about 9.30-happy to be back.
Drinking and Christmas decorations
We had the Football presentation on Saturday and I won a huge bottle of Bundaberg rum!!!
Afterwards we went to 'Sam and Daves' nightclub. The best part of the night was when the chick jumped onto the bar and started dancing on the conveniently located pole. That was good in itself, and then the bartender lit the bar on fire! What a night! We walked home, I got lost a few times but eventually made it home. Last night I went to Kyoto and looked at the ROHM Christmas decorations-very beautifully. The only downside was when I dropped my toffee apple after one bite. My anguished cry could not save it, it was probably a blessing in the end as the apple tasted a little crappy.
Afterwards we went to 'Sam and Daves' nightclub. The best part of the night was when the chick jumped onto the bar and started dancing on the conveniently located pole. That was good in itself, and then the bartender lit the bar on fire! What a night! We walked home, I got lost a few times but eventually made it home. Last night I went to Kyoto and looked at the ROHM Christmas decorations-very beautifully. The only downside was when I dropped my toffee apple after one bite. My anguished cry could not save it, it was probably a blessing in the end as the apple tasted a little crappy.
2008年12月3日水曜日
Return to Australia
On Saturday I set off to Australia. There was a fair bit of waiting around on my return as I had to go from Osaka to Haneda in Tokyo then Narita, Tokyo which is the international airport and then I had to transfer in Sydney before finally arriving at 12. It was strange to be back. My dog seemed to recognise me-it was great to see him!
I invited a lot of friends over and we had a big feast. On Sunday I went down to Geelong which is about 60 km from Melbourne to visit my grandparents. My Nana cooked roast lamb and vegetables. That was so good. One year without it was too long!
Me and my older brother Alexi went to the CBD on Monday and watched the 'homeless soccer world cup'. Monday night me and my friend Eric went to a bar and had a few beers-Carlton Draught and it tasted as crap as ever. Today I ate a meat pie and tonight I'm having pizza-you can't get too much better than that! I'm heading back tomorrow at 4.30 in the morning! I think I'll pull an all nighter, no sleep tonight. The weather here is really good and I've really been enjoying the greenery and nice air of Melbourne. Nishi Nari will seem pretty dreary tomorrow and I'll miss the fruit-since Ive been here I've eaten about 250 apples.
I invited a lot of friends over and we had a big feast. On Sunday I went down to Geelong which is about 60 km from Melbourne to visit my grandparents. My Nana cooked roast lamb and vegetables. That was so good. One year without it was too long!
Me and my older brother Alexi went to the CBD on Monday and watched the 'homeless soccer world cup'. Monday night me and my friend Eric went to a bar and had a few beers-Carlton Draught and it tasted as crap as ever. Today I ate a meat pie and tonight I'm having pizza-you can't get too much better than that! I'm heading back tomorrow at 4.30 in the morning! I think I'll pull an all nighter, no sleep tonight. The weather here is really good and I've really been enjoying the greenery and nice air of Melbourne. Nishi Nari will seem pretty dreary tomorrow and I'll miss the fruit-since Ive been here I've eaten about 250 apples.
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