Happy Thanksgiving!

Nothing says Happy Thanksgiving in Japan like Pizza Hut and wine.

Universal Studios Japan

Monday was cold and rainy, but four of my students and I went to Universal Studios Japan! It was really fun, although it was cold and bad weather. These girls are super nice, really funny, and were more than happy to speak wonderful English for several hours!

The entrance. It's already decorated for Christmas.

Miwa, me, Keiko, and Natsu in front of the USJ globe.

"Mere chan, this hat goes with your Elmo jacket!"

Natsu chan as Elmo.

Keiko chan as Cookie Monster.

I was staring at this, and something was nagging me in the back of my mind. Then I realized it's the first US mailbox I've seen in 8 months. I thought it was totally normal.... until I remembered I'm in Japan.

Snowman parade!

Elliooooot!

CyberDyne, where T2 was made.

Spiderman is hanging out in the alley.

Su-pai-da man ride.

Me, Miwa, Keiko, and Natsu wearing super cute 3-D glasses, waiting for Spiderman.

"Deloriaaaaaaan!" Back to the Future ride! Me and Aya, Natsu, Keiko and Miwa.

I think it's pretty bizarre to go on these rides in Japanese. You might be thinking, "But Mere, you hear Japanese every day!". Yes, well, I grew up watching E.T., Back to the Future, and Jaws, so I know the movie and characters. It really throws you off to visually know what's going on, but having no idea what's being said. Plus, this ride was pretty dated. 1989 anyone?

JAWS

Natsu, Miwa, me, and the Peanuts gang.

One of the "American diners".

Lit up Christmas tree.

Published!

I submitted a photo to Kansai Scene, and they published it in their Reader's Photo section! Yay!!! Here's the cover.

Yea, that's my photo! AND my name! yessssssss...

And I found a snack at the grocery store with the same name as Chipper Bryan.

Fall leaf gazing in Kyoto

Sunday after hiking, I ran home, took a shower, and hopped on the special rapid to Kyoto. Jen, Miho and I went to Eikan-do to see the leaves lit up at night. It was so beautiful!

Musicians playing traditional Japanese music on one of the bridges. It was breathtaking.

This is a special Sapporo beer. It looks fake to me.

Along the way to Ginkaku-ji, there were many groups of high school students.

Tall hedges outside Ginkaku-ji.

That mound is sand. And it's perfectly smooth.

The "Silver Pavillion" my ass...

Japanese garden.

Ginkaku-ji and downtown Kyoto behind it. Notice how hardly any of the leaves have changed color yet? It's already mid November! I'm used to them being off the trees by now!

Kampai-ing on a bridge on our walk to Chion-in.

Chion-in! Find Me!

I thought it was banana, but it's a moon.

I swear this Chinese family asked us to be in their photo. It was awesome. I then asked if I could take the same photo hahahaha. Best friends for life...

Typical Japanese temple photo: Someone taking a photo, and high school students in uniform.

We were tired of straight smiling photos.

Kiyomizu-dera.

Up a pretty serious hill, mind you.

I love this photo.

The famous balcony or porch at the temple.

After we left Kiyomizu-dera, Jen and I got our bags and headed to the station to go home. It was 7:30, so we stopped to eat dinner in the station. There's a Subway there. It's AMAZING. I remember my Mom telling me when she lived in France, she would eat McDonald's when she was homesick. I'm not homesick (most of the time), but holy cow if Subway isn't the biggest treat for me when I find one.