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Showa Day Adventures

Today was Showa Day; a day to commemorate Emperor Showa`s birthday, who reigned before, during, and after World War Two. So this day also doubles as a day to recognise the war and how bad it was, etc, or something like that. So for us exchange students, it`s a great excuse for a day trip!

Me, Go, Tei, Natalia and Shannon first set out for Kakuozan to see Nittaiji Temple, as Nasu-san had suggested a few days ago to Shannon and I. Kakuozan turned out to be a really, really nice neighbourhood. The street was lined with lovely little stores built in traditional Japanese style, and private houses that looked modern, large and very lovely.




I thought I`d include the photos I took in the morning to see whether my clothes looked okay. And because you all said for me to stay crazy. It`s annoying more than ever to not have a full length mirror! Every morning turns into such a chore. At the time I thought my shoes looked okay. But now...not so much...



The top left photo is of tomb stones...didn`t realise until after I took the photo. Imagine having a Helly Kitty tomb stone! It would be awesome :)





Nittaiji Temple. It was quite nice.



Purifying water. Even though I took lots of photos of these last time in Japan, I still think they look so cool!





Inside. Something was going on; I don`t know why the four women were in there...praying or something. The monks were chanting, and it was really eerie and strong...but also peaceful in a way. Natalia and I just stood and listened for ages, once I got brave to take a quick photo and video before anyone noticed. I may post the video and a few others up on Youtube next week as I will have internet in my room.



Pretty things from the stores! I bought two pairs of earrings from one shop, there are photos below. The bottom picture is of dango! I finally got to eat proper dango after my failed attempt :) These ones weren`t the sweet kind though that I was aiming for, they`re more soy sauce flavour. They were yummy :)


Me and Tei with a strange elephant; it must be the area`s mascot, we saw elephants everywhere.
I like my face in this one :)
After finishing at Kakuzon, it wasn`t even 12.00pm yet! We all decided to go into Nagoya City so Shannon, Tei and Go could buy their tickets to Mie for Golden Week. Turns out they have to buy them on the day they go anyway. We were near the 9 floor department store of young girl`s clothing, so I got everyone to come! I managed to buy some shoes (I am size 2.30 apparently). They were quite cheap, and not terribly high like what most girls here wear. I also bought some awesome stockings, as you will see below.









In Nagoya station Go, Tei and Natalia decided they wanted crepes...crepes are extremely popular. The other shops were dead compared to this one. Look how long the line is! You can even get carbonara and pasta crepes. How weird!





We did purikura!!




This one is my favourite :) Kawaii! Next we went to Sakae for some more shopping. I ended up buying some mascara because I`m sick of looking washed out compared to the Japanese girls (I feel really guilty though, because I dislike wearing makeup). They pack on the makeup though. As I was choosing, a lady came up to me and asked whether I needed any help in English. I just replied back. She got me to become a member of that particular store so I could get free stuff. just see what I got below! Next we went to another department store, where I finally found myself a top, which is what I`ve been wanting. I also found a really cute skirt :) I don`t wear skirts too often, usually dresses, but it`s really nice.


We lost Go and Tei in the meantime, but we were so tired we just went back to the dorm, and sent them an email. They were going to Nagoya Dome anyway.




Top left: My stockings and foot stocking things :s


Middle left, bottom left, middle: Free stuff that I got from the pharmacy lady. I got soap, facial wash, tomato juice, all sorts of stuff! I thought most of the things I got were pamphlets; but inside were all these goodies! Japan is great like that. On the right are the earrings I bought at Kakuozan; koi and flowers :)





My new clothes oh yeah!! Aren`t my stockings just the best? I didn`t realise how cool they would look until I put them on.





That`s all! No holidays tomorrow unfortunately. But there are three next week!! xxx Lorelle
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