I've thought a lot before sitting down to write this entry. It's been a few days now and I think I can write about it as objectively as I possibly can. The day started out as so many this last week have: an early rise followed by a lot of time on the Shinkansen. Though … Continue reading Hiroshima
We've added another mode of transportation to our long list of conveyances: Shinkansen. That's 'bullet train' for you Westerners. It's a wonderful experience to be zipping along at 200+ MPH, though it's a little unnerving at first to see the landscape moving so quickly yet not feel the train moving. It took us about three … Continue reading Shinkansen to Tokyo
Indi and I are happy to report that we have been joined for the next week+ by one of our best friends! Nikki and her husband, Brad, took the road trip to California with us back in April and waved goodbye from Long Beach as we set out on the cargo ship to New Zealand...which … Continue reading The Nikki has Landed
Kiki's Delivery Service Another one of Indi's favorites. I sat down prepared for a cute animated film and was not disappointed. I don't think it carried near the heft that Totoro did as far as the story is concerned, as it felt like a more traditional fish-out-of-water coming-of-age story, just in a slightly fantastical reality. … Continue reading Double Review: Kiki’s Delivery Service / Howl’s Moving Castle
You could probably say it's already here, but we do still have some warm days in Osaka. Though money is getting tighter for us, we broke down and bought some winterized clothing, as the ol' shorts and t-shirt routine that sustained us in Southeast Asia won't cut the mustard either here or in Europe … Continue reading Winter is Coming
An experience that is still taking some adjusting to in Japan is eating out. We are staying at a guesthouse that has a supplied kitchen (much like the places we stayed at in New Zealand) so we cook in sometimes, but since we're often out-and-about we typically eat out someplace. Whether it's a nice sit-down … Continue reading Dining in Japan
Well, we've amended our travel plans. Again. But it's a good thing. Indi and I sat down today to really hammer out the details of the next leg of our journey. We looked at the money we have, the money we estimate we'll have when we leave Japan on December 3rd, and how much flights … Continue reading Money Talks
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
Rhys' Pieces 