Day 5, 6

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I arrived in Korea. 2 days of classes have already passed and the busiest is yet to come. I haven't been up to much over the last 2 days, just preparing forms and paying off dorm payments, and getting to know where everything on campus is. Oh that reminds me I should post more pics, but it's late here and I'm tired as usual. All pics will be posted on Facebook since it just seems more convenient.

As for places that I've been to, I'll start a list and keep adding to it now: Gwanghwamun, free orchestra concert at the Banpo Bridge which I originally went for the light and watershow,

Well that's it, off to bed now since it'll be a busy class day tomorrow.

Chalja

Day 4

Continuing from where I left off with this yesterday, today was the first time I went to a Korean movie theatre and watched a movie. Of course I didn't go alone and the movie was in English, subtitled Korean, but it was unique and fun. The theatre was almost the same as the North American ones, tickets are purchased from a line of computers, and the selection of movies seems small though that might only be at the theatre we went to. Afterwards, we went and ate at a street cafe, well more like a noodle cart but it was interesting and was very cheap.

Today was a good break day before a very busy week, classes start tomorrow and all paperwork must be handed in as well...

Korea Day 3

Today was very fun. Went with my buddy SeungHo to Gwanghwamun and saw the King Sejong and Admiral Yi statues/memorial. After, we took a stroll through Gyeongbokgung palace which was very cool. All pictures have been upped on facebook.

As for dinner, our friend Murat joined us. SeungHo took us to a fried chicken restaurant and it was THE BEST fried chicken I've ever had. KFC will never taste the same to me again.

Well that ends day 3, classes begin on Mon and there are many forms to fill out still. Oh forgot, orientation was yesterday and that was fun. Got a free shirt!!

Korea

Well it's been a few days since the last post, but this one is now from Korea. Am currently sitting in my dorm typing this and planning on where to go. Korea almost started off as bad as Japan when the person that was supposed to pick me up from the airport was nowhere to be found. I was contemplating taking a taxi to the university but thank god she found me, turns out I came out at the wrong arrival gate...Anyhow, it was good to meet a few other exchange students in Mark, Marin, Yahjie, Murat, and our very good guide SeungHo.

Pictures will be posted soon as I try and find a adapter for my camera battery charger.

Just to add to the last Japan post, I guess it ended as it started...with transportation problems. The JR Narita Express train was stopped due to an accident... But I made it to Narita so i'm not complaining. That's it for Japan.

Day 12

Well 2 weeks,  or 12 days however way you want to look at it, has passed by very quick. I can't believe that tomorrow at this time I'll be writing this from Seoul. But all good things have to come to an end. I'll be honest, this trip to Japan wasn't too much fun for me since I couldn't spend or buy anything, but it did help me prepare for Korea--> No jet lag!! and living on my own for the past 2 weeks has helped.

And finally pictures are being uploaded.

I guess I'll end the Japan portion of this blog with this: Thank you Akira, Mayumi, Ryoko, Tomoki, and Chiemi for making my trip fun and worthwhile. Thank you for showing me new places and new food :) All the best to all of you on school, and job hunting and I hope to see you all again next year!

Bring on Korea!!!

Day 11

Back in Tokyo and just waiting for Korea now. I noticed that there was Hanabi (fireworks) today along the river, found out by looking out my hotel window...but captured some shots of it. Anyway that's it for Day 11: arrive back in Tokyo and lounge around in my hotle room. Hopefully my last full day in Japan tomorrow will be better.

Oh and pics will be up soon...

Oh just to add to Day 9-10, I was surprised to have met some Cantonese speaking Japanese in Kobe yesterday. Of course they were Kobe tourism officials doing a survey, but this happened in Kobe's Chinatown and for a moment I felt I was back in Calgary.

And thanks again to Chiemi and Ryoko for guiding me on my last day in Kansai.

Day 9, 10

Sorry for lack of updates again, but I just keep forgetting or am too tired. Anyway for Day 9, Ryoko and her friend Tomoki took me to Kobe. My first time there and I already know that I want to go back. Seeing the earthquake memorial there was another somber moment、but at the same time it's incredible to see how the city of Kobe completely rebuilt and transformed after that disaster. Also saw the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi, which was lit up at night. Once again pictures will be posted as soon as I get back to Tokyo tomorrow.

If you read this blog, thanks again Tomoki for guiding me around Kobe :)

As for today, Ryoko will be guiding me through Osaka today. sigh. I can't believe in 3 days I'll be writing this from Seoul.

Day 8

Well in Osaka now, but don't plan on doing anything for the day since it's raining and I'm tired. But tomorrow should be a whole lot more fun since it'll be a day trip to Kobe.

If Akira, Mayumi, or Ryoko read this, thank you all for making this trip a whole lot more worthwhile. Without you I'd be completely bored out of my mind.

Day 5, 6, 7

Well I guess I should update this now that I have access to a computer again.
Anyway I can't believe its already been over a week already since I arrived, and only another 6 days before Korea.
As for Kyoto, I can honestly say I've been bored again...mostly because I have no one to talk to here and I've seen some of the major sites already. I guess that's why I decided to take a very small day trip to Hiroshima yesterday (18th). It was only to visit the A-Bomb dome and Peace Park but was very sombre. Today's the last full day in Kyoto before heading off to Osaka, so let's see what happens.

Oh before I do forget, here's an interesting story. When I first arrived in Kyoto and found my hostel, to my shock and disbelief it was completely closed down/went out of business. Thank God that I asked a security guard at a nearby grocery store of where the hostel was, and it turns out their new location was on the next block...If it hadn't been for that guard, I can surely say I would be typing this from Osaka and be much more angry due to having been charged a no show penalty. So I thank you Mr.security guard!! :D

Day 3-4

 No updates yesterday since I arrived back late from a gathering and there wasn't ebough time to write on anything, but yesterday was fun because I did get to see some old friends again and helped a new one with her upcoming exchange to U of C. As for today, I have arrived in Kyoto and will be making the most of it assuming it's not too hot and it won't make me lazy. Hopefully I'll be able to see Daimonji. But who knows...

Day 3

Day 3 was alot better than Day 2 that's for sure. Today I met up with my friend Mayumi who took me around Kamakura and parts of Yokohama. It was very fun but extremely tiring, on your feet all day and walking in 40+ degree weather. I can honestly say if you want a sweat bath come and visit Japan during this time now. In all, it was very fun and productive, it beat sitting around all day yesterday and already asleep at this time...I'll post pictures later since the computer I'm on is the same 15 yr old comp from before and doesn't have a memory card reader.

Day 2

There's not alot to write about for the 2nd day except not doing alot and feeling the effects of 4 hours of sleep. At the same time it's 40 degrees and add in the humidity, you'll sweat the minute you walk outside. So that's the most of day 2. I can't add any photos since I don't have my laptop and the computer I'm writing this on is about 15 years old too. Hopefully day 3 will be more exciting.

Welcome to Japan...finally...

I guess I should get this blog started...But if you knew what happened yesterday (See FB post) I was in no shape or form to write about anything. These are the only pics I took yesterday.

The last one of the Tokyo Tower is a "rare" one I guess. Completely darkened, due to the rolling blackouts.

Ok that was it for Day 1: 17 hours to Tokyo and running on only 3.5 hours of sleep from the past 48hrs

Bring on Day 2...