Moving on.. to Osaka

I got up this morning, gathered all my belongings and left Takarazuka for the last time. I had a moment on the noisy bus where I was thinking all of these sounds and scenery will be gone soon so I had to savour it all. I think part of me was really tired of the burden of my luggage so I was kind of happy that time was moving quickly but I had to make myself chill out for a second and absorb where I was and what was happening. There wasn't much time left.

Kanako and her mum have been so hospitable during my stay at their apartment. I was so grateful for everything they had done and it was sad to say goodbye but I had a feeling I would see Kanako again. Hopefully she'll be making another trip to Perth sometime soon! I said goodbye to them early in the morning and took a train to Osaka where I'd spent the rest of my day.

I put my stuff away wandered around and ended up buying more stuff to add to the too much luggage I had! Walking around Osaka for a whole morning it's hard to avoid those alluring shops and their wonderful goods!

Lunchtime quickly came and I met up with Cindy, Emi and Yuki for a bite to eat at the Elephant Cafe. I was really bummed that our previously arranged meet-up was cancelled because I fell ill so I was really happy all the girls free for the arvo. Cindy has been a rather busy lady and how lucky I was to get a tiny slot in her schedule that day! hahaha girl your schedule's that full you'll need a PA to book your appointments! Thanks for hanging out for one last eating, chatting and insane laughing session. We had a good ab work out with all that boistrous laughing teehee ;) Hope to catch up with you girls some day soon!

Me, Emi, Cindy & Yuki

After lunch, I met up with Taro (fellow Sanda resident) and his gym buddies Tai and Ayaka for afternoon tea. On to another eating and drinking place we went and then to another. Osaka is just jam packed with great places to check out, which can be daunting but also kind of exciting cos our appetites and curiousity for great cuisine are just insatiable!

Supper time slowly creeped along and I had to say goodbye to Taro, Tai and Ayaka and meet up with Takako and Risa who'd just finished work at the Sanda GEOS School. I was staying at Takako's place tonight, which is in Sakai city, not too far from Osaka. We got to her place, dropped off my crap and headed out to eat again. We had... er.. I'm not sure what it's called but under all the meat is udon. The whole dish is heated up on the table, meat mixed around and cooked with the udon. Very tasty - like everything else! Nothing's bad... cept japanese-chinese food.

After heading out of the restaraunt, we had one last little stroll around the ominous streets of Sakai. We got home, cleaned up and I got a sneak peek at Takako's family's kimono making shop. If I remember correctly, the little factory has been in operation for the last 2 generations and now Takako's mum sews and designs the kimonos along with a few other workers they employ.

The traditionally made kimono, as opposed to the mass produced ones sold at clothing chains, are completely handmade. Everything is done in such a raw, organic and painstaking way you can't just look at a handmade kimono and make a judgement about it in a second. There were a few bits of trivia I knew about the process of making and keeping a kimono but I learnt a few more things that just blew my mind. One that sticks out in my mind is that all the girls in the workshop, including Takako's mum cut the fabric freehand. No lines, no rulers, no templates. They sketch the kimono design and just have to imagine what the pieces that have to fit together will look like. It's absolute madness!

After the little tour, I had a big packing session that lasted til the wee hours. I would have liked to spend a bit more time with the Takako and Risa having a girly chat and poke fun at each other but the packing had to be done...