Sunday, July 4, 2010

Osaka

The weekend just past was one of the best so far, Eiji from Western Judo came and saw us with his Mother. The weather was wretched, they took us to a buffet breakfast at their Hotel, it was awesome. We decided we would head over to Osaka and visit the Aquirium - we were a bit tight for time as we had to be back in Kyoto by 3pm to report for a special work assignment.

Eiji's mother went to get the car, and came back with a suprise for us all - some flash Yukata ( like a kimono) to give to our girlfriends/Sisters/Mums, it was a really really nice present we were all blown away by it. The drive to Osaka was quick as, went by in only 30 or 40 minutes, I didnt even know we had left Kyoto - theres no country side between cities its just one never ending urban jungle between separate CBD's. The Aquirium was awesome, its huge, Penguins, Otters, Sharks, Whales, Pirhanas; you name it theyr all taking a dip in that pool.


____ Pictures coming _____


After the Aquirium they treated us to a fantastic lunch at Melbourne house, an Australian Restaurant in Osaka. It was surreal having a steak with a VB, allmost felt like I was back home... or only 2,000 K's away from it.
So a big thank you to Eiji and his Mum for teating us to an awesome day, was one of the best days out so far.


Work assignment, we reported to Total Home Corp at 3pm for work, we were detailed to grating ginger in preparation for the noodles, then we set up shop in the arcade markets on Sanjo Dori.
Our job for the night was basicly wear a Male Yukata and yell "Idoshaii, Somen, Oishi!!!!!" over and over. And over and over. For around 4 hours.
The Japanese people shopping at the festival didnt know what to make of 3 Gaijin selling traditional noodles at one of their festivals...so most of our time was spent fending off propositions and smiling in photos with the obligatory peace sign of course.
It was tough work but not many people back home can say they have done something like that so it was a good experience. We even got paid! After work we got treated to Dinner and an ice cold Asahi so it was worth it.

Ritsumeikan went well at the ALL Japan Uni games, the girls got a 5th and I think the men got 8th. Not bad for All Japan thats for sure. The girls lost to Tokai (one of the tougest places on Earth no matter what you do) Rits won the first 2 against Tokai girls by Wazi-Ari (Half Score) Drew the middle fight and lost the next 2 by a Wazi-Ari and a Yuko so for the last fight they needed to draw or win and they would advance. Unfortunately Tokai's last fighter on the line was the current +78KG Japan Champion and member of the Japanese Judo Team.

The guys also fell to Tokai at the Quater's by 7 Ippons ( full score) Ritsumeikan produces great -66, -73 and -81 Kg fighters (Light, Welter and Middle Weights) wheras Tokai has some really big boys, I heard the team was all +100 KG exept for one of they players.

A really good effort by both the girls and the boys though, they both won their way to the Sunday matches by winning their fights on Saturday.

On August 5th I'm attending a training camp with Ritsumeikan University in another city with a few other University squads, it promises to be the hardest training Iv ever had but when I get through it I'm going to be at another level again so I'm really looking forward to getting there and working through it. The Rits guys plan to get there by ferry as its cheaper than catching a train or driving so it should be an interesting way to travel...

Will have more details about it tonight when they are passed to me, at this point I just know its a training camp with a few Uni's, its going to be hard and that its a good opportunity.

Sensei Rick is arriving in a week or so, he can help us appropriate more bikes as mine was recently stolen and the other two are beyond repair at this stage. Tim's somewhat an expert in bike repair and even he cant fix it.


J

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