So last weekend Amanda and I had to get up at 5:30am for our bus tour. For this bus tour we were able to sleep in ... until 6:30!! I have never got up so early on two consecutive Saturdays in my almost 25 years of life. I just know it. It's not possible. I am not a morning person and I hate waking up when it's still dark outside, but when in Rome ...
This time Amanda and I had to wake up, get ready and then bike to the train station to catch the 7:20 train. Kazuyo (one of my principals) picked us up at the train station and took us to the school where we would be departing from. This bus was slightly smaller than our bus last weekend, but it resembled more of a party bus with neon lights, lots of speakers, and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Although at 8:00am, no one was partying.
The bus left right on time and Amanda and I were asleep in no time. This bus was slightly more comfortable than the last and, although it wasn't ideal, we were able to quickly fall asleep. I've never been more thankful for my ipod. Without it I would have had to listen to Shrek dubbed in Japanese the entire time. Instead I was able to fall asleep listening to my favorites.We got to Osaka in no time and the group split up. Some of the teachers brought their children and were going to USJ - Universal Studios Japan, while the rest of us were going to lunch and shopping.
We went to a large, upscale department store first. We got there before the shops actually opened and everything was roped off and there were guards all over. At exactly 11:00 the bell sounded and the guards moved the ropes and escorted everyone up the escalator. Kind of strange, kind of cool.
We shopped, or window shopped anyway, at Hermes, Prada, Chanel, Gucci & then Louis Vuitton. I fell in love with a handbag I'd give my left arm for. Maybe it's a good thing I left all my credit cards back in America. :)
Louis and I are in a long term relationship. Have been for the last three years. :)
After shopping around we went to lunch at the Hilton Plaza. We ate lunch on the 35th floor of the Hilton at the Skye Lounge. The inside of the Skye Lounge. It was all windows, lots of glass, and very ritzy.
My sweet friends Megumi & Yuka. They are so cute.
Half of our group... Amanda and I fit right in, right?
Osaka, from 35 floors up.
The food was amazing, which is a huge change from what we usually eat. We could order whatever we wanted and there was an unlimited supply. We didn't have to pay (our teachers paid for us) but we were pretty sure lunch was something like 5,000 yen a person, which is roughly $50.
My friend Miki, complaining that she ate too much. Just like Grandpa :)
After lunch we had a few hours to go shopping. Amanda and I hit the streets of Osaka and made our way to the Hello Kitty store. Three floors of everything that is Hello Kitty. Amanda was in heaven and I wanted to vomit. :)After our shopping we ventured back to the bus. Sometimes I have no idea how we get from point A to point B. Amanda and I are wandering around a city with 3.7 million people and still managed to make it back to the right bus, and on time (if you believe that).
Everyone boarded the bus with an excessive amount of shopping bags and all of the children were talking excitedly about their trip to USJ. My beautiful Sayaka had her face painted and it made me think of when my brother, sister and I would get our faces painted. Am I still allowed to get my face painted if I'm almost 25?
After winding down and sharing all of our purchases with everyone I managed to get my headphones on just as yet another Japanese dubbed Disney movie started. Yet another long, but exciting Saturday bus tour. much love
-tara-
xoxo
Why does everyone in the pictures make the peace sign??? Do they idolize Winston Churchill??? I guess I am living in the US too long...
ReplyDeleteHiko