My first day in on land after 11 days at sea! I had a little stop in Kobe after getting off the boat. Started off the day as I waited in the terminal waiting for my field program. As I waited, I found some of my Chapman friends, and we took a selfie together, with our masks that were needed due to the high air pollution in Japan.
Later, as my friends left for their independent travels, heading to Tokyo and Osaka, I went and met this girl from Egypt, Menna a girl from China, Nadia and this boy from Canada I believe. We took the local bus that Semester at Sea provided into town, walked around China Town, and while it being my first time on land in 11 days I took a lot of pictures, and tried a lot of free samples that they were handing out, especially of this one tea store. Later I headed back to the ship to get ready for my one field program with Semester at Sea called Foodies on Foot.
We went to Osaka which is thought of as the Chicago of Japan. When we arrived after taking the bullet train, we were given a sample of fried octopus. Then we were given some free time to wander around. When I was wondering around with peers who were also on the program, I saw someone try some blowfish which is thought of as a poisonous fish. Luckily the people survived and did not injust any poison. I also had the opportunity of trying whale. I know it sounds awful because whales are right now in danger, but it tasted amazing like chicken. Then we went to a little shop to make wax sushi. We panted and glued the wax sushi together, and then painted it with the colors to give it some more “life like” detail.
Later that day, we went on another train and had dinner at a local Japanese restaurant. It was not as all what I was expecting. It looked like a hibachi; however, we cooked the food ourselves. Additionally, what also made the experience unique and different is that there was so much food. They first brought out egg pancakes, then some noodles, and more pancake like food. It was very filling, and by the end of the night I was ready to unbutton my pants!
All in all, it was a fun day, hanging out with friends, trying different foods especially foods that I might have not thought of trying in Japan.
Comments