Coffee Break's Over!

Hello BIO fans! I needed to take a blogging mental break in order to refill my creative juices...ok I have just been too busy. Since my last entry I have joined an Orchestra, found a new apartment, signed up for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 4, made some new friends, and had my bicycle confiscated again. It's been a busy month. The next few months running all the way to Christmas will be one thing after the next. I will do my best to keep you all entertained! Wish me luck!

What's the Deal with Typhoons Anyway?

Was excited about the Typhoon coming. Work was cancelled, and we all prepared for the worst. After all the fuss, all we got was a light shower and later a downpour. No damage other than this Southern Californian's utter disappointment. I was hoping to see weather in it's natural habitat. I'm a little worried because we haven't had an earthquake in a month or so. I'm so used to them now that when they stop, I miss them.

A Hike, a Talker, and 27 Bug Bites.

Ok BIO(Blonde in Osaka) fans, here is what progressed in Kyoto.

For two days I and my counterpart discovered Kyoto.

We checked into our capsule hotel. I had been there previously and had so much fun that I told my friend that she had to experience it.

After locking our overnight bags in our designated cubby we headed to Kyoto station. Wile walking to the train that would take us to the Fushimi Inari shrine we were warmly accosted by one of the locals. An old Japanese man with a missing tooth proudly declared "Welcome to Japan" and then walked up and kissed my friend and I on both cheeks.

I must admit this was a shocker! Since coming to Japan it has been difficult to get a hand shake or hug out of any or the residence and for a local to come up and KISS us was the last thing either one of us expected.

Apparently the Old man was a little hard of hearing and thought that my friend said Austria when she actually said she was from Australia. This lead to a ten minute description of the mans days living in Austria. He was very interesting and frankly I liked him.

It's those wonderful surprises that remind me why traveling is so exciting.

After a quick train ride we arrived at the shrine. The Inari shrine is famous world wide for its thousand Tori gates. Thousands of bright orange and red pillars line a stone path which travels through a cool dense forest and up and down mountains. Throughout the hike there were many smaller shrines hidden away to explore. We stopped at a quaint wooden restaurant with a view of the forest for some shaved ice.

It was there that we picked up a  stray Canadian named Justin. He was traveling through Japan after finishing his year long teaching contract in Korea. To be honest, this was a mistake. Justin was a real grumpy-gus and  couldn't stop talking to take a breath. It kind of spoiled the quiet nature-filled atmosphere. We were able to shut him up for a good ten minutes though and enjoyed the sounds of the forest.

Word from the wise to the novice traveler, meeting new people is one of the best parts of exploration but, you must be willing to be patient with the annoying ones you come by.

Overall the hike was invigorating. It took us about three and a half hours and 27 bug bites but it was worth it.

Nara Lights on a Warm Summer Night.

The other night I had the most wonderful experience. I went to the To-Kae summber festival in Nara.

About 3:00 a couple friends and I darned our yukata or summer kimonos, did our hair and headed out. It about an hour to arrive at Nara Station.

The trip was uncomfortable in many ways at first. For one thing, the traditional yukata when tied properly was more like the Japanese version of a corset.  There are two strips of fabric that keep a kimono in place before the obi or large sash is tied around. The first strip is used to set the length of the yukata and is tied around the waist, very tightly I might add.

The second strip is used to keep the top section of the kimono in place. This strip allows for the neckline and back to be perfectly strait and flat. This strip is tied above the ribs just below the chest. It too was synched tighter than a noose.

Finally the obi wraps arournd the yukata and is carefully folded and managed into a bow.

Honestly, it looked so pretty that I didn't care how it felt. After my back went numb the rest of the night was fine.

After arriving at the festival area the sun had just begun to set. Hundreds of people began to light and place candles along the paths to the temples and lakes. Lanterns were lit and they hung in every direction.

As our stomechs growled, we decided that the first thing to do was investigate the local street food. Yaki soba (fried noodles), Karage (fried chiken), castella cakes (soft cakes filled with red beans or custard), takoyaki (octopus), yaki niku (grilled meat), shaved ice, and grilled squid were just some of the options.

We tried almost all of them. Fantastically delicious!

After refueling, we wandered in the direction of everyone else who seemed to know where the action was. We wandered through a small park with candle and lantern lit pathways. The path meandered around a small lake where a gazebo sat in the center and glowed with candle light. As we crossed the wooden bridge to the other side of the lake we stopped to enjoy the reflection that the hundreds of flames made in the water. Couples took small row boats out onto the water. They were each guided by two hanging lanterns. We all made a mental note to return here with boyfriends.

After the lake, we strolled slowly to Nara Park where thousands of candles sat shining. They all drew shapes in the cool grass. Shapes of flowers, deer, kanji symbols, and even the shape of a clock with working hands ticking away.

All the thousands of warm flames gave off a feeling of serenity and joy.

The night ended there and we walked back to the station with happy hearts and pictures in our cameras. The pictures hardly did the beautiful scene justice.

Thought that a narrative would be fun.

“BEEP BEEP” the sound of the streets of Osaka rang like an alarm at seven o’clock Monday morning. Janelle rolled over and slid her window shut as if to hit the snooze button on the city. She groined and dug her head under the pillow.

Another day in this city so far from home she thought. Why do mornings always have to be so early?

With a yawn and a stretch she slowly rolled out of bed. Sitting on the edge of the mattress she crinkled her toes and shook out her shoulders. After that late night she was extra stiff this morning. She made a mental note to swallow a couple ibuprofens with her morning coffee.

Just then their came a knock at the door and the voice of a Japanese man telling her he had a delivery.

Janelle told him to wait just a moment in the most plight Japanese she knew. She scrambled to find a sweatshirt or blanket to cover her pajamas with. Again their came a shout, I have a delivery! Finally Janelle just decided to go with a scarf on the coat rack.

“Yes one moment please” She yelled as she opened the door a crack. Seeing that she was in her pajamas the deliveryman turned a little red, looked away and then apologized for rushing her. She glared at the postman wile signing for the package. The postman quickly said thank you and goodbye.

After placing the box on her kitchen table Janelle put some water on to boil. She smiled a little when she thought about how back home she had a coffee pot that was on a timer. She could set it up the night before and the next morning awake to the rich scent of special dark Italian roast.

Janelle grabbed the scissors off the kitchen hook and moved over to the box. It was from her parents again. A big smile spread across her face when she thought about how many boxes had been delivered since arriving country. Inside were treats from home. Fruit loops, Easy Mac and Cheese and some soft flip flop slippers that were greatly coveted.

“Wow why did I ever leave home? “ She thought. Living alone in a little shoebox of an apartment a million miles from familiar. At that moment Janelle really couldn’t quite remember why she had gone so far away.

Suddenly the walls shook a little. Not like they did during an earthquake, she knew those all too well now. They shook real fast like someone was hitting the side of the building. She ran out onto her balcony to see what the heck was going on.

The sound of whistles and flutes could be heard from down the street. Suddenly, “boom! Ohiogozaimasu!” The loud booms and shaking were a line of large drums being pounded by five or six Japanese men. They banged and then yelled “good morning!”

What the heck is going on? She wondered. She changed quickly out of her pajamas and into an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Grabbed her camera and ran out the door just in time to see a parade of people in traditional costumes turn the corner. Bells and chanting, priests and dancers, even someone dressed as a Prince progressed up the street to the local temple. It was a festival parade, on a Monday morning, in the middle of summer.

Janelle laughed to herself, “Oh yah” she thought, “that’s why”. 

The Tennoji Market

Every 21st and 22nd of every month the Tennoji Market comes to life.

Shin Tennoji Temple is the oldest temple in all of Japan. It was created by Prince Shotoku who brought Buddhism over from China to Japan. Also, it just happens to be conveniently located just twenty minutes from my apartment.

On market days, hundreds of venders line the temple grounds. Anything from antique silk kimonos to dried fruits and okonomiyaki (a famous Osaka specialty) are sold in volumes.

Expect to find the deal of a lifetime. An ignorant shopper need not worry so much about getting hustled or conned because it is considered extremely bad to lie, cheat, or steel on temple grounds.

Personally, I enjoyed the kimono stands and antiques the most. They had rows and rows of silk kimonos from Kyoto. Because some of them were stained or slightly damaged I was able to purchase a full set, that is a kimono, and obi, and the ties for only 500 yen. That's less than ten dollars US for SILK!!!

Japan is also well known for its beautiful lacquer-ware. Artistic boxes and treys that have been painted with a design and covered in lacquer. I was able to find a beautiful music box still in working condition. The inside panel was slightly damaged but that's nothing a fresh lining can't fix. Total cost for the music box, 300 yen or about five dollars US.

The stands also carried modern brands such as coach, Louis Vetton, and even Tiffany's.

Food. There were all kinds of Japanese snacks and meals. Yaki soba, okonomiyaki, yaki niku, home made rice crackers, Japanese tea cakes, fresh sweet bread filled with custard and or red bean, and of course takoyaki.

There was also a man who lives out in the country and roasts his own coffee. He had a fascinating roasting process, however his free sample left much to be desired. I admire his fervor though.

The last thing worth mentioning is that on these two days access to the temple is free. So you can get a lot of culture and souvenirs for a low price.

What a great day, I think I will return next month as well.

This will explain the strange photo of me.

I saw Takarazuka theater today. 

Takarazuka is an all female acting group in Japan that has a huge fan following. It is most famous for the women who excel at playing male roles. 

The performance I saw was their  version of Phantom of the Opera. It was modeled after the book and included none of the Rogers and Hamerstien music. 

This was an original show in every sense of the word. It featured an original Japanese score and script. The music was one part broadway, one part Vegas, and a pinch or Opera thrown in. The costumes were flamboyant and beautiful. 

The entire performance was about three hours long with a thirty minute intermission in between. There was a cast of 70 people at least. Everyone had their part to play. The woman who played the Phantom had such an amazing voice and presence. Everyone in the performance had the triple threat down. They could all act, sing, and dance extremely well. 

While the talent was abundant, the scenery alone would have been worth the admissions price. Never have I seen such a technical stage. There were moving parts everywhere. Trap doors, hanging candles, hidden stairwells, and moving platforms all working together with the dancers, actors, and musicians. 

If I could sum up the acting style of this type of theater in three words they would be dramatic, disciplined, and cheesy( in the best way of course). 

The show did not end with Phantom; instead it continued with a line of chorus girls laden with feathers and sequins. They made a line along center stage and started kicking their legs like the Rockets at Radio City Music Hall. Las Vegas would be jealous. 

 Just when I thought the show had finally come to a close, the cast all came group by group to take a bow.

Feathers, lots and lots of feathers. Sequins, lots and lots of sequins. Yes, a disco ball as well. 

This aspect of Japanese culture was so fun to investigate and experience. I was intrigued by the original ideas and the dedication that the woman in this production demonstrated. 

After the show, their was a photo booth. The ladies dressed me up in the outfit of one of Takarazuka's most beloved characters. Oscar, a courageous gentleman and a solder. It was quite an ordeal and everyone including myself was giggling all the way through it. 

The costume was really heavy and being in front of the camera was nerve kicking but I would do it again in a heart beat.