Not Tired Yet

some questions that my elementary school kids have asked me in the past:

Do you have cows?

Do you have children?

Are you a junior high school student?

How old are you?
Why aren't you married yet?

Do you live alone? (Yes.)
Without any family? (Yes.)
Oh no! You should get married then! Really soon! (um? I'm okay, thanks though for your concern.)

They really are quite sweet, even if a little to eager to get married. I holler Wakai desu yo! [I'm too young!!!] and shake my head at them like I think they are absolutely crazy. Then they shake their heads at me like they think I'm the one that's mad and we finish with a final head shake off. I'd say I win all the time, and have definitely improved my head shaking skills this past year.

Sleeping in an Internet Booth

I'm at Kansai international airport for the night, waiting for a connecting flight to Amsterdam which leaves tomorrow morning. I have about 4 hours in Amsterdam (enough time to run to the city, play a bit and check in for an international flight?) before catching my plane to Tel Aviv.

I've spent a night at an airport before, if I remember correctly, my first night in Canada was at one. This time I've got a sweet little internet booth to myself with a lounge chair. There's a little lock up box for valuables and dim lighting. I think I can sleep here. I guess I'll see how I feel tomorrow morning. It definitely beats paying for a hotel, and spending time and money going into the city, that's for sure. On my way back I have an entire day in Osaka, so I'll get to see Lorna again one more time in Japan!

Kansai airport (Japan's first 24 hour airport) is on a little island of sorts, off the south coast of Osaka city, not so close to the actual city center.

I am so excited to see these pigs and piglets and go to Andrew and Noa's wedding! !!!

In an Old Old Place

Osaka was crazy. Big, busy, hectic with lights flashing everywhere and noises and bikes coming from left and cars from right and people all around. Lorna was a hostess with the mostess and helped with the country mouse in big city feeling I had. She took Slim and I to Mexican food and then Persian food and then sent me off with a smoked salmon cream cheese bagel! Thanks mom!

Kyoto is beautiful!! The temples and shrines scattered throughout the city are a haven of green and quiet amongst the bustling cars and people. I think it is more hectic because it is Golden week and everyone and their dog is in Kyoto to look at temples and buy omiyage. Omiyage is the required sovenier you must bring back from any trip for your co-workers, english club, or idontbelieveinrequiredomiyage club.

I did find a really cool ninja mask thing though as a present for josh! And I dont think he will read this before he gets it because he is biking in the middle of nowhere. And today I walked on nightengale floors, you know, the kind that are built to squeak! They were in the castle here. Amazing. I thought I had some sweet ninja moves until I took one step and the floor went GROAN. SQUEAK!

Ill work on those skills over the next few days here.