Rockabilly

On my second day in Osaka, i went to the Castle, to meet up with one of my new friends I met the day before.  she is doing some research on the Rockabilly, greaser scene in Japan, which is apparently more prevalent than I would have ever guessed.  Some of her friends were meeting there for a birthday, and to blast some music and dance. We watched, and Carl Perkins blasted from the speakers, and they danced so hard they wore the soles off of their shoes, and little girls rode by on 6 foot unicycles. It was truly a Japanese experience.

The rest of the day was spent wandering around the outside of the park.  we saw plum blossoms.  It was still a bit early for the Sakura's, which should be popping up around the beginning of April. But it was nice to be able to see such an interesting side of Osaka on my second day, and to realize just how much there is in this city. There is truly a niche for every person here.  This is the joy of living in such a big city, there is never room for getting bored.

Japanese Greasers

...in kid form too

The quake

   So as you know, Japan's earthquake was one of the worst in history, the biggest here in almost a hundred years. and not only that, a tsunami, and then to top it off nuclear fallout from a plant damaged by the waves.  It is truly incredible that such a catastrophe could happen all at once, but since the media is taking the stance of the DOOM-AND-GLOOM, I will not.  Being in Osaka, and about 700 km from the quake, it had little effect on our life here.  While there was a solemn mood in the atmosphere, and Osaka saw an influx of people avoiding the power cuts in Tokyo, it remained calm for such a massive natural disaster in the country.   It really shows me something amazing about the Japanese people.  They are truly inspirational by their handling of the events.   People waiting in orderly lines for water and food, and the media not presenting an exxagerated account of the events, it was a true testament to the Japanese people's honorable character.

When the earthquake happened I was sitting on the third floor of a cafe. I was writing in my journal, when I suddenly felt really dizzy.  I sat back in my chair, thinking I was close to fainting.  The spinning didn't stop once i tried to get my bearings, but I just thought I needed to eat.  The people in the cafe were looking at me, or so I thought, and it didn't occur to me that the blinds shaking behind my head were their real point of interest.  Eventually the room stopped spinning, but I left in search of some food to raise my blood sugar anyways.  I had no idea it was such a big earthquake till I got home that night, and saw the news.  

So I send my prayers out to all that have been so gravely affected by the quake, and to send reassurances to my family and friends back home that all is okay here in Osaka. 

Osaka: The Beginning

So I guess this is where I start, and attempt to put my life in Japan into some form of perspective.  It has been a crazy journey into the future, 16 hours ahead of my home, one half of a massive world traveled.. I can't say its been without trial or tears. Leaving everyone that I love has been hard, but the excitement of exploring a new city, a HUGE new city, in a fascinating new country, has made each moment of hesitation into one of anticipation.  

   
The journey to Osaka was rather easy, the flights were quick and surprisingly painless.  Business class to Japan definitely didn't hurt!  Once in the Osaka airport, the skills a I learned backpacking through Asia all came back to me.  Quite possibly the easiest entry into a foreign country I have had so far, the Kansai airport is completely English friendly.  On the bus to my new home, the first thing I saw, was a giant neon green ferris wheel towering above the cityscape. Stories and stories of building sat nestled upon the bay, their neon lights reflecting off the water.  As the streets and signs rushed by my window, my excitement grew and grew.

My bedroom

I made it to the house that I will be staying in for a month. It is in Moriguchi, which is about 15 minutes by subway from the heart of downtown. It is a quiet little suburb with potted flowers lining every street.  It beautiful, but doesn't see too many gaijin, so arriving in Japan with little more Japanese than "The cat is in the hat," proved to be a little more difficult than expected. Eating is the only thing that is still tough, and I have multiple times ended up with a bowl of rice with what can only be described as something similar to uncooked bacon on top. It is surprising how quickly it grows on you though! But the house itself is incredible, and was the perfect transition to a new country.  I have 8 roomates in this Japanese mansion, 2 locals, and 6 foreigners, but since I have been so busy, I have only seen all of them a couple times.
  
The first day was spent with a group of American kids who are studying Japanese at the local university. I had chatted with one online before I arrived so it was about my only contact in the country.  Turns out, i couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the city.  The group of us spend the day shopping and eating, and me trying to soak up any useful info about getting by in Japan. It was incredible, and I could really start to see how much I am going to love this city!  The busy streets, that flood with people as the traffic lights turn red. the street stall of enchanting food lining every corner. And the neon glow that signal the city coming to life. This is my new home: Osaka.