The return to Osaka/ Kyoto Protocol

Hey, its been a while, I've struggled to get onto the computer (let alone get out of bed) and when I have (got on the computer) the site plays up, and won't let me save.

Anyway, last weekend I went across to Osaka to see an old school mate, who has been here for almost 4 years. It was great catching up, laughing about old times, and also hearing a kiwi accent again.

We went out Saturday night, not much to report. The bars that look cool in the english magazine I have aren't - I think they publish whoever pays them the most in advertising, I found that at Roppongi in Tokyo as well.

On Sunday we went to Kyoto. That was quite interesting, we caught the train, and the Kyoto station is this huge flash place.
Then we caught the bus and basically walked around as many shrine grounds as we could manage in the time we had, including this one - it is gold. That's Kit in this photo. That night we went back to Osaka, and went to a Izakaya (basically a Japanese pub - the food is "glorified pub food"). We were going to go out, but we were kind of tired from the walking. So we went back to Kit's flat and watched an old Adam Sandler/ Damon Wayans movie called Bulletproof, and then talked for ages.

The next day we woke up late, and went to the Osaka castle. That was cool. However inside it could have been any other building - it was basically a muesum. The view from the top was awesome.

It was a good trip, and a good taste of Osaka and Kyoto. The good thing is that they are close enough to be cheap and near enough to be visited again.

From the top of the Castle. Osaka skyline.

Some Geisha girls ignoring me.