6/18!

arriving in osaka...

After what was officially the worst plane ride I have ever experienced, I landed in Osaka, Japan. I made my way through some friendly customs officers (not too surprising) and entered the outside... god, finally. Met up with my group and we caught a taxi into the city. The hotel is very fancy! Even more economy hotels like this are wayy better than anything in the US for the price. The rooms themselves are small, but I don't mind. I found out that the APA Hotel chain keeps their rooms small to help conserve energy. I learned very early on that Japan is very serious about environmental conservation! Besides that, I walked a block down to the 7/11. (I didn't find out until the next day that there was a convenience store in the hotel.)

6/19

Nara!

My first full day in Japan!! I was able to stay up enough the night before to not feel to jetlagged the next day (the dramamine-induced nap on the plane also helped) and met with my group early in the morning. Navigating the underground metro was overstimulating! I had been to the one in Washington D.C. when I was younger, but that was nothing compared to this. My friends told me that this was a good introduction for me, as their experiences with the NYC subways and their huge rats are kinda terrifying, understandably so.

The day consisted of walking, walking, and more walking as we navigated the station, mulitple shrines, as well as Nara Park! We got to see all of the sacred deer that call the grounds their home. They would bow to you as you approached and also after you fed them! The todai-ji temple was breathtaking, and the statue of Buddha (the largest in the world) was unbelievable. in one of the hugebeams keeping the temple together was a huge hole that's the same size as one of Buddha's nostrils that you could crawl through. It seemed to be more of a kid's activity, but I am small and wanted to say that I could fit. (I can fit)

6/20

Kyoto day 1!

Day off in Kyoto! Had a little Phoebe Bridgers moment, of course. The Tori Gates were unreal and I got a really cool photo of myself! Got my stamp, paid my respects to the deities, and continued on my way.

Ugi was also beautiful! This was my first time experiencing sitting inside a japanese restraunt! The udon noodles were delicious! As we were walking, I was stopped dead in my tracks by a vending machine with Mountain Dew in it. Didn't expect to see such an old friend all the way out here, so I shoveled 140 yen to buy one.