Hello Kitty

Konichiwa!　
Im in Osaka Japan.　Im sorry I havent written sooner, Ive been having so much fun. Ive been staying with my friend Ken and his family.
I met Ken Saitou in Prague about 3 years ago. He was playing Led Zep on his electric guitar in the hostel room. We hung out that week in Prague and it was one of those moments `you want to bottle up and remember for ever`. So this week has been so unreal.
For starters, the hospitality and general kindess expressed by Ken and his family is unmatchable. I was picked up at the airport by Ken and his mom after a long but lovely flight from Bangkok. I was encouraged to rest, which I needed before Ken and I went to Osaka Castle.
I have always wanted to come to Japan. I wanted to study Japanese in high school (with Jenny); but didnt take that path. I have always been interested in the culture, and Ive gotten a huge wopping dose of it while Ive been here.
I had dinner with Ken and his family, Mom, Dad, and sister Nao. They are so wonderful. They made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. Its been so amazing since visiting Bangkok and Cambodia where everyone wants to get something from you.
Saturday was epic! Ken and I did a huge tourist venture to a few temples. So many Buddas!!!

First we started off at Kennin-ji. Its the oldest Zen Temple. It was quite beautiful and medatative. I really enjoyed the (I will have to look up the name) garden sand art. I love the feeling of tatami mats under my bare feet! I am enthralled by the Japanese design. Also there are some amazing dragons painted on the ceiling.
We then went to Kiyomizu Temple, which was crowded but really neat. I was interested by all of the `amuzements` that one can participate in. I drew a stick from the wooden container and gave it to the man who told me that I was going to have a lucky year. Ken read the piece of paper handed to me and translated into traveling is good, its good for me to be with others rather than alone, Im going to get married and have a baby. I like everything except for the last part. It was funny though. We both said oooooh noooo! I laughed at the little Budda rocks that are dressed in red cloths. My understanding of it is that it stops screaming children at night from crying if you do that type of blessing.
If the day wasnt big enough and filled with so many Buddas, we went to one more. This was　really special though. We walked through all of these gates. It reminded me of that exhibit that was called The Gates in NYC a few years back. There were thousands of gates right next to each other for many many kilometers.　It was this path that would take a few hours to walk all the way through. We hiked a little while and I marveled at the beauty. On the way back I was trying to realize the difference in experience that Ken and I were each having. On the backside of each of these gates was writing; which to me look so beautiful, but to Ken, he can read it as names of buisnesses that have given money for a gate to be placed in their name. Supposidly it will bring luck to your buisness or family.
This temple was really special and we were there for a small festival celebrating that temple. It was amazing. It was like what I remember from my childhood as a fair. There were amusements for children, food, singing and dancing. It was focused around the Buddist ceremony where they gave offerings and prayed. There was beautiful Japanese music and I was having that feeling of this is a special moment and I am so blessed and honored to be there. I can not thank Ken enough for opening his heart and home to me and sharing these wonderful experiences.
We ate some fried doughy octopus balls which were delicious and went to downtown Osaka. We played Pachinko and had a great time. I dont believe there is anyway to win at that game, but it was fun. You basically shoot metal balls through a machine and they fall in slots and then there is electronics (we played a ninja game) that you have to match numbers.
It was such a big day. I will never forget it.
The following day, we went to a few more temples, Ryozen - Kwanon and saw a ginormous Buddah. We also went to Sanjusangen-do and saw 1001 Buddahs and the Wind and Thunder God statues. We also went to Nara and I got to meet the deer! It cracked me up because I know deer to be in the woods afraid of people. These deer are friendly and cute and want to eat deer snacks. I couldnt stop laughing at them. Its often the small things that are the coolest.
Before this post gets too long, Ill skip through the other Buddahs and move on to the hotsprings. I went with Ken and his sister to the hot springs spa and took a naked bath. I requested doing things that werent touristy to get the daily life experience. It was really nice. There was no english and Kens sister speaks only a little so it was really amusing. We also went downtown and went shopping. I was shocked by the games and technology and displays of food that are in all of the windows. See the photos!
We had dinner with Kens English teacher Chris. He has been here for 18 years and it was really nice to meet him. It was refreshing to meet someone that has similar world views and loves to laugh.
What else? Went to the gym to work out, which was fantastic, silly as it sounds, I need to exercise to feel good mentally and physically.
Yesterday I also went with Kens mom to the grocery store and markets. She bought me a matcha green tea shave ice and we did our best speaking English. It was really sweet and I really enjoy her company. She reminds me a little of my own mom. She is really fun and caring. Actually, Kens family reminds me a little of my own. Nao is really funny and care free and Kens Dad is a hard worker but loves to relax at the end of the day. Im so happy to be spending this time with them.
Kens mom gave me a cooking lesson and I hope to make Okonomiaki - veggie pancake - when I get back to the States.
Last night they dressed me in a Kimino and we went to the local park to shoot of fireworks with so many friends of all ages. It was really fun. I was really entertained.
Today were chillin and tomorrow Im off to Tokyo for a day before the trip in time back to San Francisco.
Its been incredible. Every little bit of this trip. Ill write more later as this has gotten too long!