Went to Osaka Jo today (Osaka Castle).

It was only about ten minutes walk away. I took a photo of the moat from the park and then some old lady asked me where I was from. I thought she wanted my help with something but it turns out that she worked there and wanted to heard me into the castle so I could pay an admission fee.

I went in. Payed my admission fee. Checked out the inside of the castle, which is now a museum about it's own history. Apparently it got attacked and reduced to rubble. The guy who attacked then rebuilt a new castle on top of the rubble of the old one. It was interesting but exhausting climbing up all those narrow staircases to get to the seventh floor that had a 360degree view of the Osaka skyline. I took photos from every side then trundled back down seven floors worth of stairs. At least it warmed me up enough that I didn't need my coat.

I went to take some photos in the outer gardens and this guy came up and started talking to me. He showed me some good spots to take touristy photos and took them for me while I stood there. Then he told me I smelt good and sniffed my hair. I said thank you and then told him I had to go and meet up with my friend for lunch. He's under the impression that I'm travelling with a friend and I think that's best. He also seems to think that I will meet up with him while he's in Italy next year ???? Anyway, I left at the first gate that I saw. It was the wrong gate.

I ended up having to walk around the outside of the entire east side of the castle walls to get to the train station that I recongnised. From there my apartment is five blocks away. Except that I walked south instead of west. I got three blocks, realised I was lost, found a map and turned around. It took forever to walk back to the aparment. I found the remains of another castle during my trek though. And I found a quiet street where i could take a photo of the pretty thingys (the things that lead to the sewers and waterpipes and stuff in the roads - I can't think of their name - The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles used them to escape all the time). They're not really pretty in themselves but the design on them is lovely.

I stopped into a Lawson on the way back and got some food. I'm not sure what I got - all of the meat was crumbed or battered but I think I got chicken and fish and precooked rice, like I ate last night. I had to get some hand soap for the bathroom too. I've been using my body wash since last night because this place charges extra for things like soap. It took ages to make sure it really was soap. When I got back I got out my DS and had to look up what was written on the package to make sure.

And now I am sitting in my room uploading all my photos and writting this up. My balcony door is wide open, which is cold but I'm trying to air the place out. It smells like old, overheated plastic in here and it makes it harder to enjoy food. Why is it that I can smell things in this country? I can't smell anything when I'm at home. :/ So I am airing the room out while it is still warm enough to do so and listening to the firestation around the corner. They're very active and the sirens are loud. I've decided that it's cool to be so close to a fire station. That way I can't be annoyed.

Also - I added a few people to my contacts list which apparently means that you'll get an email whenever I update. I plan to update everyday so if you want me to take you off the list just let me know and I will.