It's nothing short of a miracle. I can speak Japanese. At least broken Japanese, spewing out a lot of basic verbs and nouns to get the message across (mostly) or ask directions, put a friend in a cab to the Kansai Airport, direct a cab driver to my apartment or tell him when he's at … Continue reading I’m Speaking Japanese! I Really Think So!
Halloween in Japan has been growing a lot. This year I noticed far more Jack'o'lanterns and Western style Halloween decorations than last year. As if it were a orchestrated event, as just about every store or restaurant had some kind of Halloween theme or promotion. Fun! I was excited to take a friend who is … Continue reading Halloween at Universal Studios Japan – Good Kawaii Fun! In Photographs
Earthquakes, floods, heatwave and typhoons in Japan. A summer of living dangerously!
After the big Osaka earthquake the whole family experienced June 18, then record rain and flooding throughout Japan, followed in July by a heat wave that is killing people in droves and sending thousands to the hospital, another typhoon has hit. Yet I was in Orlando for it! Had boarded a plane July 26 and headed … Continue reading Trading Osaka Summer for August in Orlando
Should I stay or should I go now? That was the question posed to myself after realizing that all of the expats I know are leaving Japan for the summer to visit their home countries or simply to escape the summer heat. Now, I have lived in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands where … Continue reading My Japanese Summer – List of 10 Things to Do in Japan!
Every 21 and 22nd of the month, there's a fabulous temple sale at Shitennō-ji Buddhist Temple in Osaka, Japan. A combination of rummage sale and pilgrimage of faith and healing, you will find your treasure either way! Who pays retail and double tax?!?!? Not me!!!
Quaint, eclectic and bohemian can't quite describe my second home in Osaka at Colombo Cornershop books and coffee, but it's worth to keep trying to find the right word every time I visit. In Shinshaibashi across from the Nanba shrine, Colombo sits on the corner and calls out Paris every time I walk by to … Continue reading Who Needs Paris When You Have Colombo Cornershop Books and Coffee in Osaka
I love language. Having been denied fluency in the Dutch language from my late Dutch father, who spoke only English to us kids growing up, I was envious of my European cousins who spoke several languages and perfect English. Determined to be a polyglot, I took four years of French in high school and received … Continue reading We Are Learning Japanese, We Really Think So!
They warned me that it gets hot in Osaka during the July and August months. They were not kidding. It is hot, HOT, HOT and humid, and we have figured out why the Ocean Day Holiday ritual yesterday took place at 4:30 a.m.! Because that's when you go out, or in the evening, avoiding the … Continue reading This Domestic Goddess is Really Hot This Osaka Summer
Before I went back to Denver for bereavement with my dear husband, Steve, we had a whirlwind of activity getting settled in our new home in the Shinmachi district of Osaka. Interestingly enough this was the prostitution district of the city pre-World War II, and tons of U.S. incendiary bombs dropped on Osaka burned the … Continue reading First Days at Home in Osaka
