Ok, so I'm about right on target for posting. ^_^ I’m actually going to split this into two posts, because one by itself is way too long.
Aside from the trip to Asuka two weekends ago I haven’t really done a lot of traveling. Living life at a break-neck pace is fun and all, but this cold that I’ve got is telling me I need to slow things down a bit. However, time spent not traveling has been spent exploring the city I’m in and experiencing more things about Japanese life.
First of all, I owe you guys an answer to this question:
The group of us, about 20, rented bikes from a shop and followed our professor around Asuka for the day on bike. It was the first place I’d seen with so many trees since Nara.
It was beautiful and filled with very very old history, so old that most of it wasn’t really there to see. However, there were a few things to see, like this tomb of a past emperor.
Just a little scary to walk in when you realize that the only thing keeping the stones together is the other stones.
Also, a turtle rock! No one knows why it was carved, only that it’s at least a thousand years old.
Asuka is known for being the site of Japan’s first Buddhist temple, and also has Japan’s oldest Buddha.
Oh, and did I mention you take your shoes off to walk inside the temple? Just a little cold in February.
Annnnd this was the resulting check. To get an idea of how much that is in US dollars, move the decimal to left two spaces.
Aside from the trip to Asuka two weekends ago I haven’t really done a lot of traveling. Living life at a break-neck pace is fun and all, but this cold that I’ve got is telling me I need to slow things down a bit. However, time spent not traveling has been spent exploring the city I’m in and experiencing more things about Japanese life.
First of all, I owe you guys an answer to this question:
This is called umeboshi, and it’s pickled plums. Think of the sourest thing you know, and multiply that by three to get the taste of these things. I love them!
Alright, on to Asuka! Asuka was absolutely beautiful because it’s almost a completely rural town except for the few things/places necessary for life. I went as a part of a field trip for my Japanese history class, and it was a lot of fun. I finally got to ride a bike in Japan and it was so awesome! I loved the little bell on the handle bar that goes “ding ding”!
Alright, on to Asuka! Asuka was absolutely beautiful because it’s almost a completely rural town except for the few things/places necessary for life. I went as a part of a field trip for my Japanese history class, and it was a lot of fun. I finally got to ride a bike in Japan and it was so awesome! I loved the little bell on the handle bar that goes “ding ding”!
The group of us, about 20, rented bikes from a shop and followed our professor around Asuka for the day on bike. It was the first place I’d seen with so many trees since Nara.
It was beautiful and filled with very very old history, so old that most of it wasn’t really there to see. However, there were a few things to see, like this tomb of a past emperor.
Just a little scary to walk in when you realize that the only thing keeping the stones together is the other stones.
Also, a turtle rock! No one knows why it was carved, only that it’s at least a thousand years old.
Asuka is known for being the site of Japan’s first Buddhist temple, and also has Japan’s oldest Buddha.
Oh, and did I mention you take your shoes off to walk inside the temple? Just a little cold in February.
Asuka was a picturesque rural town, and I loved it. I also love the name Asuka, because written in kanji (飛鳥) it means “flying bird”.
After returning from Asuka I went to a yakiniku restaurant with my host family. Okaasan explained “yakiniku” as barbeque, but it’s definitely just grilled meat. It was really good though! It’s also really cool how the restaurant works too. For one, you take off your shoes.
After returning from Asuka I went to a yakiniku restaurant with my host family. Okaasan explained “yakiniku” as barbeque, but it’s definitely just grilled meat. It was really good though! It’s also really cool how the restaurant works too. For one, you take off your shoes.
Instead of ordering the food and it coming to you already prepared, you order the meat and cook it yourself on a grill in the table. This was the grill when Otousan was cooking.
And this was the grill once Otousan’s uncle arrived and started ordering and cooking.
Annnnd this was the resulting check. To get an idea of how much that is in US dollars, move the decimal to left two spaces.
Otousan’s uncle treated us, and he also bought me a bunch of Japanese snacks from the grocery store and gave us a ride home in his car. I think he’s rich.
Next post tomorrow! I've already got it written, but I don't have time to update it now because I have to catch the bus home.
So do you move the decimal to the right or to the left? to the right that would be ridiculously expensive!!! to the left...wow...cheap! lol It looks like you're having a lot of fun....yay! Miss you!
ReplyDeletehey pickled beets yuk r u 4 real ?
ReplyDeletelove Angel
(Mrs.Mckinney's class)
what is up with the price on that bill ? man that is alot
ReplyDeleteyour friend Angel from Mrs.Mckinney class
It is expensive! I later found out that eating at a yakiniku restaurant is like eating out at a very nice restaurant in America. You move the decimal to the left two places, so our bill came out to about $169! That's why I think Otousan's uncle is rich.
ReplyDeleteAngel, that isn't pickled beets! It's pork, like when you have a roll of sausage and you slice it, like a pepperoni!