Home » Japan » Some More Unflavored Tofu to go with my Stringy/Gummy/Flavorless Root Onegaishimasu!

I was sad to be headed back to Japan; my trip to America was just a little too short. Yet lucky me, I already had a slice of home (well kinda!) waiting for me in Osaka. My friend Kelle was in Japan coming to visit me! She is a slice of one of my many homes (Japan included, I now have 5 places I consider home). Kelle and I met spring 2005 ‘studying’ in Barcelona. We use the word studying loosely, as more time was spent living the high life in Barcelona with crazy senoras, endless supply of 2 euro wine, Spanish boys, tapas, travels, getting lost on trains, absinthe, beaches, wrestling boots, mullets, and dancing till dawn. What can I say, it was one of the best semesters of my life. Kelle, Lindsey, and I dubbed ourselves the ‘3 amigos’ as we did everything together. Dos Amigos were reuniting in Japan- watch out Nippon dos amigos are coming at ya! Follow along on this blog and see how we conquered Mt Koya (location not even available on blog selection!) and the life of a buddhist monk, discovered the true beauty of Kyoto, played with some fierce monkeys atop Arashiyama, and were ballers Barcelona style in Hiroshima. Just like in Espana, never a dull moment!

Some More Unflavored Tofu to go with my Stringy/Gummy/Flavorless Root Onegaishimasu!

Casey Lary
2007-03-10 16:39:10

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been there, yet is by far one of the most impressive places in Japan. With Kelle I was again astounded by its beauty. I made Kelle take the token photo with the JHS kids asking us our names in English for their school trip. Then we went on to Nijo Castle- somewhere I had not been yet. They had an incredible rock garden and beautiful wood walkways. Next I took Kelle to Heian Jingu because it is my favorite in Kyoto. I opted out of going into the garden and instead enjoyed relaxing and admiring the beautiful temple. After that we headed to the Gion District. We were unsuccessful at spotting any geisha, yet again I felt as if I myself was a geisha wandering the streets of Gion, straight out of Memoirs of a Geisha. That night we met up with my friend Andrew Joiner, a JET from Shiga ken that I met at the re-contracting conference last
May. We had a traditional ramen meal, then spent the night drinking beer along the river in Kyoto. Yes, it is indeed the cheap route, yet I don't think anyone's trip to Kyoto is complete without sitting along the river drinking and being with friends. Someone told me you can't leave Japan until you have kissed someone next to the river, but I guess I may have to hold out on that one for my return trip to Kyoto. Later that night my Berkeley friend, also named Andrew (Kramer) who is teaching with NOVA in Shiga Ken as well came to join us. This crazy random old Japanese man decided to come talk to us (again, I think I have a sign that says TALK TO ME on it). As we got talking, Andrew Kramer and I mentioned we were from California. He asked where and we said San Francisco. He then proceeds to tell us he went to BERKELEY!!!! Yeah you can bet we had a heyday with this one. He proceeded to tell us about the crazy times he had there in the 60s. Being the old crazy man talking to us, we can bet he had a little too much fun at times ;-). Berkeley Bears spreading far and wide! A few beers to many later, we hopped the last train ...