NEW YORK (Reuters) - A portrait of President Bush using monkeys to form his image led to the closure of a New York art exhibition over the weekend and anguished protests on Monday over freedom of expression. Read more....
emma found her way @ 11:23 p.m. | 0 comments
This past weekend was the JLPT.
On a happier note, lets talk about the wonderful ryokan that Karen and I stayed at called Sakaeya. The ryokan dates back well into the Meiji Period and is beautiful! The dark wood floors are spectacular and the ikebana just added to the very welcoming atmosphere. There is also an onsen in the ryokan so that one can relax without having to go far! But, by far the neatest thing is the onsen steam oven! Guests have access to a fully stocked kitchen and can cook their own food using the steam from the onsen! Very funky indeed! Karen and I headed out for dinner but managed to steam some eggs as part of our breakfast! Yummy!
We also had a bit of time to catch an onsen before our ferry :) We tried a new onsen, though the name escapes me at the moment. This onsen had tonnes of different baths, a sand bath, sauna, out door baths, hot baths, cold bath and an electric bath. Yes, you read that right - - an electric bath - - denkiburo! I have seen several of these during my time here in Japan but I have never been in one. In Canada, we are told at a very early age (from a cartoon lightbulb - - anyone remember his name??) that electricity and water do not mix. Japan however, somehow manages to pull it off! I have avoided these baths like the plague but for some unknown reason (perhaps it was the post JLPT dispare), I decided to give it a go. Hummm, I'm still trying to think of the words to describe sitting in water as electricity pulses through ones body. Unusual is one way to describe it.... I lived to tell the tale. Just another quirky Sunday in Japan :)
emma found her way @ 11:25 p.m. | 0 comments
emma found her way @ 6:18 p.m. | 0 comments
It was like seeing an old friend again yesterday when I pulled my kotatsu out of the cupboard. What a freakin' wonderful invention! For those of you not in Japan....Emma, just what is a Kotatsu? Well, let me tell you! It's a table that is sandwiched between two perfectly warm blankets. But that's not all....on the underside of the table there is a little heater, keep you toasty warm on those cold Japanese winter nights! Ahhh, bliss!
There is no central heating here in Japan. As a result, I've become emotionally attached to my kotatsu over the past few years, we've spent lots of time together. I think when I finally get back to Canada I'm going to open a Chuhai and Kotatsu Import Company - - promotional offer: you get a free case of UmeChu with the purchase of a Kotatsu! Why didn't us Canucks invent the Kotatsu, the world can live without the phone and basketball -- but certainly not without their Kotatsu!
emma found her way @ 7:35 p.m. | 0 comments