End of Week 2

This week was hot – yes that was a no-brainer. I induldged once more into the wonders of American cuisine….corn dogs…. never going there again. Heart attck on a stick. For those of you that don’t know yet what it is, well, its a hot dog wrapped in a doughnut coating. Probably insanely high in fat, sugar, artifical stuffs and processed meats….

Credit to http://sugarmamabakingco.files.wordpress.com for the image.

It was alright taste wise, but not something I would buy again. Had to try it though. I couldn’t eat it all, my taste buds were dying!

Ok, so another run down. We went to VGL Dallas Ft Worth (Video Games Live) seeing Tommy’s show was good fun and very well done. Certainly worth going if you’ve not seen it. Although we laughed as we walked to the hall seeing young boys with their parents who obviously made them dress smarter than usual if they’re in their room playing wow. By the way, yes my Rogue is going well

Next up? Harry Potter. Always have been a fan of the books as I think they’re really well written and the films have been decent enough – not as good as the books but whats new. This next installement of the series is up to par. Unfortunatly, it does miss out bits of the book but that is expected and it besides, still makes for a good film. Will I see it again? Highly likely… you know me

Hooked up with Alienware for Quake Con so that’ll be good – kinda However, that’s not till August and I’m not about to wish my life away. Live in the moment and all that jazz, and we’re also booked to go to Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle in September.

I’m still trying to work out why all the vehicules here are red, black, white or silver. It’s just strange. It’s like there are no other colours around, destruction of the rainbow somewhere? I want to see other colours! Not only that but water here. You can buy purified tap water…..?! Maybe I’m going mad, but England you can’t do that – atleast that’s what I remember. $0.60-0.90 for a bottle of purified tap water? Mineral water please!!! Come on now. Not only that but mineral water is expensive here! Nice but damn expensive. I’m better off getting Gatorade! Not health wise but money wise

The other activity I partook in during the week was a trip to Medievil Times Restruant and Tournament.

This place was good fun. Reminded me of my trip to Disneyland Paris with my family when I was younger. The event consists of a Medievil dinner – yes, eatting half a chicken with my hands, drinking soup from a bowl, and cheering for whichever Knight we had been represented by. In our case it was the Green Knight, who was possibly the best looking of them all, although the red-and-black Knight was cool too.

Anyway, so we ate our food whilst watching these fine strapping men run stunts on horses for flowers and points then beat each other up with poles, axes, swords, lances and maces whilst cheering loudly for our fabled Green Knight and boo-ing maliciously at everyone elses. Each time a Knight won a point he gained 3 carnation flowers which he would throw to his adoring crowd…..to the ladies ….. he, ofcourse threw one at me, missing my face by next to nothing, probably because there were more guys than girls so his choice was limited! I then proceeded to let the girl next to me have it since she looked really upset about not having one -_- I’m too nice. hehe

So yeah that’s about it for this time

End of week catch up

So still in Dallas and still enjoying the 40C heat. What have I done? Shop, eat, rest, play piano and go places. Do I have a tan? No. You try laying in the Sun in 40C with scorching heat for longer than 10 mins without looking like you’ve been for a quick swim or just out of the shower!

Food wise we tried out an English ‘pub’ here which I have to say wasn’t to shabby at all – except the ‘chips’ or ‘fries’ whatever you want to call them were not the same – in any way shape or form. Now thinking about this is making me almost want some. Ah, and Cheesecake factory. Ah, cheesecake factory. A restaurant (selling other food too…) with cheesecake – so many types and damn yo! Sooo damn tasty! Probably full of fat but fortunately the only food I had eaten all day was some sushi from a nice Japanese restaurant. Yes, I came all the way to Dallas, TX, and I’m eating Japanese and English food.

So far, I’ve also tried Hot dawgsssss, pancakes, bacon (very cooked, crispy bacon) and the milkshakes/smoothies (which btw are bloody awesome!) Everything here is very tasty, but I find myself having one meal and then being pretty damn full up.

Oh yeah, and Gatorade! Into Kroger we went, down the drinks row and bamn, a rainbow. A million colours and tonnnnneeesssss of sugar, artificial flavours and to top it off- artificial colouring! All the E numbers I miss out on from Smarties now. 10 x 946ml for $10……yes we worked out later it was actually 1 for $1 too but we had brought 10….I blame Erik…. Americans Just imagine the sugar you can put in 946ml….. they don’t even make bottles that big in England…. that I know of…..

Yesterday we popped to a different Mall and then in the evening we went to see Bruno…..

Earlier in the week we went to South Lake for more shops outside this time. I found myself dehydrating quicker than a kettle makes water boil and proceeded to complain insistently until my thirst was quenched by a nice smoothy from starbucks. I’m seeing a strange pattern of smoothies right now.

Even earlier than that we went to see Ice Age 3 which I thought was pretty good. I used this as an excuse to indulge myself in more American charm with some nice butter flavoured popcorn. As if the popcorn didn’t have enough butter and fat in it already – I could even add more from the counter just before we handed our tickets in…..did I do it? …..maybe a little…. but only a little……seriously…….you know me……it’s not ice cream………….I’d like to live past 60 please…..70,80,90 if I’m still fit and healthy…..

Ok, I’ll stop boring you now Atleast you guys are semi-up-todate now.

London to Dallas to Denton

Kinda difficult leaving family and friends at home but  I’ll be home…soon.

Leaving England on the 1st of July during the rush-hour was… well… busy. I forget how long I queued up for baggage check – in, felt like ants entering an ant hill, and then proceeded  to say my good-byes to my Dad and Nan and then move on to security, whereby I was met by another ant hill and another hour or so…of waiting.

Once through security, I had little over 90 mins to kill… so me being me, I shopped a little, had lunch, and then waited for the gate – which was….delayed.

Upon boarding the plane, I noticed my ‘window’ seat wasn’t really a window seat since there was lack of a window – just a wall, and that the Air Hostesses didn’t show us where the exits were just assumed that we knew…I’m a frequent flier but what about everyone else.Ah well, technological advances…

The piolet informed us of the delay and then continued to mention that we would potentially be arriving at DFW airport 30mins or so ahead of schedule regardless of the delay. I left London’s 29C, a plane full of grumpy American Airlines hostesses and landed, 10 hours later, in DFW’s 40C to a familiar face.

First mistake? Trying to get into the car on the drivers side -_- backwards America – or England, which ever you prefer.

I have to admit at first I thought it was hot, however I seemed to have settled nicely now ( a week later).

So to recap the events so far:

1st July – Landed safely, met everyone and relaxed.

2nd July – Jetlagged, woke up early for a business meeting Erik and his Mum had to go to, then went for a Chinese buffet following that, did some shopping for bits and pieces I’d forgotten.

3rd July Met up with Aliki at ScrewAttack event and nabbed our passes.

4th July Went to the Galleria to find out that Tiffany’s was shut but proceeded to  spend some money on buying presents.

5th July Celebrated Erik’s brother; Jason’s birthday, nice evening of fun with an interesting game!

6th July Back to the Galleria and Tiffanys to buy a necklace and finish of a bit of shopping. Later that day, headed to Kendras home to meet up with both Kendra and April and learnt I am allergic to cats, lol. Gathered the troops and then rallied for a nice Thai restruant. What time did we get home? Around 23:30. Tiggered out.

7th July Grabbed my first milkshake of my trip here from Chick-Fil-A, Peach. High in sugar but nice

So thats the basics so far I’m being taken care of more than I could possibly imagine and enjoying the Texas sun.

Notice the difference? I’ve noted many – 1, drive through dry cleaners…..2, drive through banks…..3, bag packers…..4, no roundabouts just a bazillion traffic signs and lights….oh and the nice temperature mmmmm 40C is good… and so is air-con…..

Japan – Miyajima & Hiroshima

Ok so it should be Hiroshima and then Miyajima but I like Miyajima a bit better although Hiroshima is cool.

Went to Hiroshima castle and the atomic dome on arrival and its shocking the amount of damage that was done. The garden – peace looked really cool with an everlasting flame. Lots of people around paying their respects.

But Miyajima…. wow. What an island. The following day we went to the island for a quick visit…. which turned into a whole day of 10 hours. Watching the sun go down and then lights on the Tori gate and then eating Tonkatsu and goodness knows how many icecreams. Then going up the mountain and seeing all the monkeys and then back down again with all the deer.

My camera eventually ran out of battery so I had to use my phone.

Will fill in more when I get back. Gotta go pack for Osaka now!

Japan – Matsuyama (Dogo Onsen)/ Takamatsu / Osaka

So I arrived in Matsuyama and grabbed a taxi to the hotel after being tired and just wanting to chill out. Dogo onsen was the perfect place. We stayed in a spacious Ryoken when no english was spoken, took some adjusting to but I was fine.

Dogo Onsen being one of Japans oldest hot springs was pretty cool to see. Such a large building too.  However on one of the days it was far to hot for me to even contemplate going inside!

A few days on and I left for Takamatsu. Little did I know this day would be eventful. The journey was ok, not too long but not short enough lol.

On arrival in Takamatsu I made my way to the hotel and chilled for about 2 mins before handing them my bags and being told my room wasnt ready. So I took the time to go around Takamatsu castle. Not like English castles but in their own way very cool! These castles in Japan seem to be soo peaceful (although at one point im sure they were busy). I wandered around for little over an hour before heading to the arcade and shops further down the road.

Afterwards I headed back to the hotel and checked in, rested briefly and then headed out to the station to go to Ritsurin park!

I picked the right day to do as it was super nice weather. The park was not so far from the station near by and well worth travelling too. Such a peaceful and beautiful place. When I was there I felt miles away. Was a really nice feeling. The park is huge and took a while to walk around and cost around 400 yen entry per person. After a couple of hours I headed back to Takamatsu station and then back to the hotel.

The following day I got up at 6am ready fro my day trip to Osaka. Random trip, unplanned. But I`d done what I wanted to do in Takamatsu so I figured I`d trip it to Osaka.

Takamatsu to Okayama, Okayama Shinkansen to Shin Osaka and the Shin Osaka to Osaka.

Took about 2 1/2 hours there and ofc the same back. But was worth it. Huge department stores and allsorts!

More to come!

Japan ー Kyoto and Nara

Today we went to Nara to see the big temples, chill in the park and see the deer. Nara is maybe a 40 odd minute rapid train ride from Kyoto station and quite worth it to be honest. Nara plays host to the biggest budda in Japan and also is well know for the deer in the park that just wonder around with you.

The park was very relaxed and even more so were the deer.  On our way back from one temple we bumped into some people we`d met the day before so we spend the rest of the day as a small group of 4 and eventually headed back to Kyoto.

In Kyoto we showered, changed and then popped out for the final night in Kyoto. We went to Shin Kyogoku which is like a shopping area and myself and the other girl jumped in a Puri Kura booth and spent the next 30 mins editing and doodling – hey its been a while!

Today we head to Odayama and to our Ryokan in Dogo Onsen so once more I will be without the internet.

Im about half way or just over through my trip and so far, its made me realise how much I loved Japan before.

Japan Day (still don`t know) – Kyoto

So I`ve been in Kyoto for 2 days now and I really like it here. Yesterday I went to the Golden Pavillion, the Imperial Palace, some other temples and shrines – I can`t remember their names and I`m too tired to think properly. Really beautiful places though and certainly relaxing. I really enjoyed sitting on a bridge over a river /pond and watching the Koi and turtles swim by at the Shinto Shrine. Took a lot of pics so will upload them when I get back… no cable here unfortunatly.

Yesterday was good though on the tour I met a japanese lady called Mio who was working in telecomms but now has recently qualified to be a tour guide,  it was nice to find out about what she`d been up to. She was grateful to have someone to talk to too and someone who could speak Japanese. We started at 8am as 2 people, by the end of the day there was 3 / 4 of us and by the evening there was 7 of us. Made things easier and more fun. Meant we could all talk about our experiences and not have to worry about swapping languages.

After eating we went to a Japanese bar and had a couple of drinks then moved to a bar called `sam n daves` – very japanese I know… lol was fun, we chilled out chatted and I played some pool with a girl called Janet and some of the other people we`d picked up during the day, before playing some other Japanese friends. They taught me to play 9 ball which was cool, because I didn`t know how to play it before.

Today I think we may pop to Nara since we did so much of Kyoto yesterday. This is all for now since I need to get ready to pop to Nara.

But yeah, I do miss people! lol

Japan Day (dunno) Hakone-Takayama-Kyoto

I have no idea what day it is or what date it is at the moment. Although I think it is the 20th. I have just arrived in Kyoto but let me re cap these last few days.

Leaving Tokyo for Hakone

I was kinda sad to leave Tokyo because to me, it is one of my favourite cities in the me, it is one of my favourite cities in the world. It was good to see Ogi, Anthony, Justin and the others ａｎｄ good to travel around with ease. We left Tokyo for Hakone early in the morning and took the train to Hakone. The day was misty and raining but still stupidly humid so it was ok, atleast I thought it was so it was ok, atleast I thought it was. I had an umberella so I was ok. On arriving at Hakone some couple of hours later, we took the bus to Hakone Machi and had a look round some botanical gardens and stopped for lunch when it started to rain－we had　Tonkatsu – one of my favourites.

Ａｆｔer lunch we took the cruise boat across the lake to Tongenai where we then caught another bus to our hotel in Hakone. The hotel was nice but because of the mist and rain I grabbed an early night ready for the following day.

Leaving Hakone

We were up bright and early the following day and grabbed the bus to Hakone Machi then to one grabbed the bus, catching sight of how beautiful Hakone really was and also seeing Fuji-San, to Hakone Machi then to one more stop down the line where we caught Hikari 7 (shinkansen) to Nagoya and then another train to Takayama. The trip and then another train to Takayama. The trip to Takayama was insane. The journey was maybe 2 hours on the train from Nagoya and it really didn`t feel like it. The scenery was unbelieveable. For the most part we followed the river －　crossing it a few times.

On arrival at Takayama, I asked for a Taxi to arrival at Takayama, I asked for a Taxi to our Ryokan. I asked for a Taxi to our Ryokan. On arrival at our Ryokan, I was fully aware that there would be no understanding of English here. Thankfully I could understand understanding of English here. Thankfully I could understand what they were saying and was able to get by easily －　including sending my luggage to Kyoto. I lost track of how many times I was commended on my Japanese.

We got to our Ryokan at about 5pm so we chilled out until dinner. Once we went down for dinner in our Yukatas I remembered previous meals Ive had in Japan. I figured I would be getting fish had in Japan. I figured I would be getting fish －　with its head still attached and I was right. Lol. We had for 2 dinners and 1 breakfast – Tempura, sashimi, fish, Tofu, Squid, Shabu Shabu, and goodness knows what else.

During the following day we wandered around Takayama Old Town and visited a few wandered around Takayama Old Town and visited a few places before the storm hit. The rain was warm but it got so heavy that we took shelter along with another small Japanese lady in front of a restruant. The rain finished within 5 or so minutes and then with a polite head nod to the lady we were on our way.

My impressions of Takayama －　Totally beautiful and its really nice to see such a traditional town. Our Ryokan was lovely and the staff were very helpful. Another place I didn`t really want to leave.

Today I arrived in Kyoto via Nagoya via Shinkansen, and I have to say I kinda forgot how quiet the trains are here!

For now, theres you in more as I can.

For now, theres my short update!

Japan Day 3 – Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuru

So today we got up late because we were so tired and then got our JR rail passes after asking for directions to a place that actually can give them to us. Problem? Yes, Shinjuku station is TOO big! Was like trying to find a needle in a haystack! Still we got there in the end.

Then we took the yamanote line to Shibuya and happily wandered around some shops, down some allies, brought an umberella for 390yen, some cds and then popped back. The crossing there is certainly insane, so many people.

I then went back to the hotel in Shinjuku and chilled for a bit before going to meet Ogi and his friend at Ikebukuru for some drinks and some food. Cant quite remember what I had but I know 1 dish was squid and very nice it was too.

Afterwards we went to an arcade and I played some more VF5R and grabbed a couple of access cards Played against Ogi before going back to their Ryokan to meet his other friend. Time went by quickly, we went and played some more and then I travelled back to Shinjuku at about 11pm.

Got back to the hotel where my friend was and then remember I was supposed to send my bags on to my next hotel! I then spent the next hour trying to figure out if it was possible and packing ready.

I got up this morning at 5:30 am and then went to the reception to organise my bags being sent to the hotel! Sorted! Now I have to prepare – have a shower etc before leaving for Hakone via Shinkansen.

^_^ I’m going to miss Tokyo.

Specially thanks to Ogi.

Japan Day 2 – Ariake (SBO), Mitaka (Ghibli), Akihabara.

So today I had to wake up at some un-godly hour - 6am to meet up with Ogi-Sama in the hotel lobby whereby we would then be off to Ariake and Super Battle Opera for the finals of various fighting games.

It was a bit of a nightmare to get there since Ogi was stressing out and it was super hot and humid today. However, after a walk past a jam packed Anime Convention in Kokusa Tenjijo we made our way to SBO, grabbed some food and went it. It was pretty impressive to be honest. Stage and everything with super clear big screens to watch the matches on. Watched the Besuto4 SF2 and some of the matches were super close. Also met Itazan too with Ogi, so was nice to meet some new people.

Will probably pop back tomorrow too because unfortunatly we had to leave early to make our way to the otherside of Tokyo towards Ghibli – Mitaka. On the way we stopped off at Akihabara (electric town) and spent way too much time there popping in and out of the air con and 37 degree heat. I brought Memories Off which only came out yesterday and have been playing it abit since we got back to the hotel and so far  I really like it. Also brought Guilty Gear 10th Anniversary Core Plus game. Brought other things but can’t list them all. Akihabara, I could walk around for ages and spend so much money. -_-; not good!

Then we went back to the hotel to have a wash and then went on to Mitaka from Shinjuku for Ghibli museum. The museum was pretty small in itself but it was impressive to see Miyazaki’s work and how everything goes round in the studio. From the gift shop I brought a Soot ball from Spirited Away and some Film strips and other bits and pieces. Unfortunatly no cameras were allowed inside so kinda sucks there.

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a department store and I brought a memory card for my psp – 4GB for about 20 Pounds – not too sure how cheap that is since I never brought one in the UK, also along with a Sanwa cover for my camera. Not sure how long we were in there for but 8 floors of electrical ’stuff’ and when we eventually came out it was dark…. lol.

Hrm, tomorrow? Well I think we’re going to maybe pop to SBO again and then to Shibuya and then somewhere like the Meiji temple or Tokyo Tower. Right now all I know is Watashi wa chotto nemui to tsukareta.

Ja ne.