I am very thankful that the short cold snap has relinquished and allowed us some warmer days, as I do not feel I am ready for cold weather yet. Also, it's much easier to get out and go for a walk in a park when it's warm out. Better yet, it's an opportunity to go … Continue reading Osaka Castle and Park
(Sorry for the blank e-mail earlier, this netbook can be argumentative sometimes.) Today is (was) November 4th. One year since Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. I'm not here to talk politics, but it's worth mentioning because today we took the train from Osaka to the small 35,000 population town of Obama, … Continue reading Obama, Japan
October was a BIG month for new foods! 10/4 Pork Fillet w/ French Mustard - I've had pork before, of course, but it was here that I began to truly appreciate mustard. 10/5 Khmer Amok - An odd dish in a bowl made out of leaves. It had all sorts of vegetables and small meaty … Continue reading Rhys’ New Foods List – October
You'd think that in a country where cosplay (costume role-play) is so popular and there are so many shops dedicated to anime and other similar interests that Halloween would be more popular. As a matter of fact, Halloween is just now starting to gain a little traction as a holiday folks celebrate here. It's rare … Continue reading Halloween in Osaka
Well, Indi and I did what needed to be done and did some number crunching. And plans are going to have to change. Here is the rough breakdown of how our daily expenses have gone per country: New Zealand: $100/day (we went a little nuts with an unexpected Fidelity deposit) Indonesia: $66/day Malaysia: $81/day Thailand: … Continue reading The Times, They Are A-Changin’
Have I mentioned that I love Japan? It feels like this weird Sliders-esque universe where, from a distance, things look fine and normal but once I get closer, things are different, sometimes to the point of insanity. Some of it is expected, some of it is not. First of all, everything is cute. I expected … Continue reading 1 + 1 + 1 does not always equal 3
Because of it's heavy Western influence but unique cultural stylings, Japan often acts as a slightly warped circus mirror for issues in America. Depending on where you stand, the reflection might be spot on, or it might be nearly unidentifiable. Kansai Rainbow Parade 2009 LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transsexual) rights are a flashpoint topic back in the States, … Continue reading Kansai Rainbow Parade 2009 – LGBT Issues in Japan
That means good morning ^-^ Yesterday we arrived at Kansai Int'l Airport at WAY too early in the morning from our red-eye flight. When we stepped out of the airport (which floats, by the way) we were instantly in an entirely different world. For one, it was about 60F, which felt GREAT. For another, everything … Continue reading Ohayou Gozaimasu from Osaka
Since I still owe ya'll my impressions on Thailand, I figured for once I'd wrap up two countries in one post. We're spending the night in Bangkok with an amazing Couchsurf lady and looking forward to our trip to Japan tomorrow! Thailand Thailand was probably the most built-up country I've been to thusfar. Everyone who … Continue reading Thoughts on Cambodia and Thailand
(**WARNING: Graphic, Long**) Yesterday was an incredibly full day, with a trip to the Royal Palace, the Russian market, and a great deal of drinking in the evening. I wish to cover none of that, though the reason for drinking may become clear anyway. Yesterday, all of our emotional time was invested in two places … Continue reading Tuol Sleng & The Killing Fields – Ghosts, Graves, Genocide
Rhys' Pieces 