Monoh Falls in Osaka, Japan

Today has been the very best "last day" in Japan. We took the train about 30 minutes to the edge of Osaka to hike to Monoh (Mino) Falls. The falls are about 2 miles up the most beautiful mountain path. There were monkeys watching us from the trees and one even decided to jump down and steal Mrs. Jones's pretzels. On the way back down, we ate fried maple leaves and I met a very talented local artist. What a great way to conclude my Japan adventure. Next on my agenda, eat one more Japanese dinner and get a good nights sleep.

Tsukumodai Elementary School

School Visits

Earthquake

An earthquake has struck northern Japan, killing three and triggering massive landslides in the mountainous region.
The tremor also rattled buildings in nearby towns and in the capital, Tokyo.

Tokyo

Hello!!! Happy Father's Day!!! Love you Dad!!!

Tokyo was not my favorite city we have visited but we had a good time. We took a ferry ride to the older side of town where we shopped and toured a temple. The streets were very crowded with tourists and much dirtier then Osaka. Osaka is the cleanest city I have ever seen.

Tokyo

On my way to Tokyo today. We take the bullet train for 3 hours and if the weather is clear we should be able to see Mt. Fuji. (Like the picture beside the 5 MORE DAYS!!! blog) I'll post pictures when I get back. :)

Kyoto

Kyoto was gorgeous!!! We took taxis to three different temples. The temples were filled with beautiful Japanese children on field trips. Mrs. Jones, Ms. Scott and I found used Kimonos for 1050Yen which equals about $10.50. We were so excited and put them on for a photo.

On my way to Kyoto

Today we will take a 30min. train ride to Kyoto...I am very excited!!!

We are back in OSAKA @ Hotel Green Plaza

Well, I don't know where to start. We have been so busy since we got here. The day we arrived, we got to our Osaka hotel at 9:30pm, checked in and crashed. From the moment we started walking to the hotel from the train station, I fell in love with Osaka!!! Osaka is a hip city with loads of style, character and energy!!! I hated to leave on Tuesday morning but am happy for all of the experiences I am getting.

Dr. Walker has kept us very busy. Tuesday we traveled to Hiroshima to see Peace Park. After a good nights sleep, we traveled on Wed. to Miyajima by ferry. I was amazed by the beauty on Miyajima Island. I had the best day hiking, looking at the animals and eating. Miyajima has wild deer that roam the island and live among the people. We had quite a few deer come up to us with no hesitation.

Today we traveled back to Osaka. It took almost 8 HOURS to get back because we took a side trip from the bullet train. At this time, we are back in Osaka (yeah) and we are sitting down to discuss our recent travels and what is in store for tomorrow...so more to come...

Miss you all!!!
Video clips are taking a very long time to upload, so I'll have to save those for later.

Japan is BEAUTIFUL

Today
was
so
awesome!! We went to Miyajima on a ferry and hiked up to Shi Shi I Wa to see the monkeys. I will write more later. It is late and I'm very tired. We walked about 15 miles today in the rain, so I'm ready for a hot shower and bed. I'll write more tomorrow AND I have some great videos. Loves!!

I LOVE JAPAN!!!

Hi all, I don't have much time so here is the latest news
*flight was great for me, slept 8 out of 12.5 hrs
*Osaka is the best city EVER
*hotel rooms are small and the bathroom is like one from a boat
*we traveled to Hiroshima yesterday and laptop in still in Osaka *SO no pics yet*
*took bullet train yesterday, love it
*people are so nice but communication is harder then I thought
*people are beautiful, kids are cute, cute

Time is running out on my lobby computer, more tomorrow!!!
I'm having a blast!!

Good Morning from Detroit

We hit a little speed bump yesterday and missed our flight to Osaka, Japan. The plane was two hours late picking us up from Raleigh and we missed our connecting flight in Detroit by an hour. Our group had high hopes that the connecting flight would wait for us but we were only 25 out of 400 people on the flight, I guess that is a lot of people to make angry. We should have arrived in Osaka today at 6pm but instead we will arrive in Osaka on Monday at 6pm. If you're reading this, then I want to say "thank you" for checking my blog and following us on this journey!

5 MORE DAYS!!!!

Can you believe I will be riding in a bullet train?!?! Take a look at the picture and imagine going up to 300mph!!!

2008 Japan Summer Study Abroad
OUR Itinerary

Sat June 7 Leave Raleigh 12:30 pm
Sun June 8 Arrive Osaka Kansai
Mon June 9 Visit Nara
Tue June 10 travel to Hiroshima, Visit Peace Park
Wed June 11 Visit MiyaJima, Visit Kintaikyo
Thur June 12 return to Osaka
Travel over inland sea
Fri June 13 Visit Kyoto
Sat June 14 Visit Tokyo
Sun June 15 Visit Himeiji Castle
Mon June 16 Visit Hirano Elementary School
Tue June 17-
Thur June 19 Visit assigned school
Tsukumodai Elementary School
Fri June 20 Free day
Sat June 21 Leave Osaka Kansai
Arrive Raleigh 3:13 pm