Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Still here

Still having fun here.
Sorry it`s been a while since my last post. We have been staying in places without Internet access.
We are now on the north island Hokkaido, it is nice and cool up here.
I will keep this one short since there is someone waiting to use the computer see you soon.
Jay

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Kyoto



Kyoto seems like a cool place last night we tried to find the bar district not an easy task when you can't read kanji (Japanese characters) for all we know we walked by many cool places. We did end up in a couple of English/Irish style pubs hoping to find some English speaking people but no luck, we did some research and should be closer tonight.


Today we went for a walk in the bamboo forest.

After that we saw a sign for monkeys. They live atop a small mountain and seem to roam free but choose to stick around for all the easy food they get.

For the guys at work

As you know the mini split systems we work with come from here in Japan. They are all over here as far as I can tell a tin whacker would starve here. The other night in out hotel the AC would only run for a short period and then quit, with a standard T stat this would be a the machine is broke issue but with a mini split as you know the T stat is full of features and I could not read it, here is a picture can you figure it out?Once we found someone who had basic English skill it was established the the unit was indeed out of service but the first guy who came by seemed almost as confused as I was.

Monday, July 23, 2007

The buhdist temple

We decided to go traditional and spend the night in a buhdist temple. I was a unique experience, not exactly what I would call fun but something new thats for sure, sleeping on the floor isn't the most comfortable thing.

We are now in Kyoto just got here so we have not had the chance to check it out yet, we did have a nice lunch though, cooked right in front of us at out table, beef was good after the vegetarian meals from the temple.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

It was crazy






We started the day in Nara a medium size city. We visited a nice temple it was quite the site very nice. Nara is also home to deer they roam around and a very tame except when you have the crackers they feed them with.


We then walked up a small mountain that didn't seem so small after an hour.


We then met up with Colin's friend Shiho for lunch, it was nice to have a guide who speaks the language. After lunch we went to Osaka, let me tell you that city is crowded, almost scary. We then met up with a friend of hers who also spoke some English, dinner time arrived and they ordered up a nice verity of sushi for us, again the food was great. There was a festival going on what exactly it was, was unclear but we ended up being part of it, a very cool experience for sure. Colin should have pics up on his blog link to his blog in one of my other posts. Tomorrow we are spending the night in a temple so no Internet there but we should be back to the big city after that.

Friday, July 20, 2007

An Update






After 3 days in Nobeoka we are now in a bigger city, Nara near Osaka. We are having fun but gettine food is not easy pointing is a must, but once we get it its pretty good. Since we have spent this first part of the trip in a small town we have not seen too much craziness, but it is aanother country thats for sure. The earthquake was not felt by me we were in another area whn it happened. Here are a few pics from NobeokaThere are also many weird drinks here I decided to take pics of them here is one for now
We will be here in Nara for another night I will try and update again tomorrow, we will be meeting up with Colin's friend who lives here so we might have a good adventure.

Monday, July 16, 2007

We made it

Can't say much only a couple minutes left on this terminal check back later

Saturday, July 14, 2007

The train today

There wasn't any cheap and safe place to leave my car in Toronto for 3 weeks so I took the train. The trip was uneventful although a bit long when you are used to driving instead.
I officially record my weight at 181 pounds today the day before I leave any bets on weather I gain or lose weight? I think I might regain my long lost skinny status. I also weighed my back pack at 35 pounds. Here it is

Friday, July 13, 2007

Last night in sarnia

Nothing too exciting to report today. Last day of work for three weeks is a nice feeling though.
Main reason for my post is to link you to Colin's blog. Colin the inspiration for the Japan trip is already over there with fellow class mates from his dojo in Toronto.
Here is the link to his blog check it out for additional pictures. Colin's Blog

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Getting Excited

It's Thursday 3 more days and I will be in Japan. I talked to Colin he got there ok but he can't access any cash neither his ATM or Visa will work for cash, although the visa does work to directly purchase something. I called visa and the bank and was told I should be ok, but that is what he was told when he called before he went over.
I am actually getting a little nervous about the flight no fear of flying but I am paranoid about delays or getting bumped. Hopefully it all works as it should.

Friday, July 6, 2007

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Japan 2007

My friends and I are going to Japan. This is a blog to show you what we did on our trip. Hopefully I will be able to update often. Colin also has a blog I will link as soon as I get the address.