last days in Japan this time

I will likely post some more pictures and such from favorite excursions or events, but my last days in Japan were spent trying to make my stuff fit back in my suitcases, cleaning my apartment before departure, meeting the girls who were going to be attending the next semester at Global College Japan Center, saying goodbye to teachers at the university, and spending some time hanging out with a friend. I miss Japan already and have only been away for a day and a half.

I planned a stopover in Hawaii on the way back since it was on my flight itinerary as a transfer point anyway. My mom met me here and in a few days my dad will meet me here. It is a good transition from Japan to back to Washington as there are lots of Japanese places around here, Japanese food, Japanese kanji everywhere, Japanese newspapers and businesses and such, as well as all the American things here. I did NOT miss the traffic of the US, and Hawaii is no exception. I really loved getting around almost everywhere in Japan via bicycle, foot, train, or bus.

I am having a wonderful time with my mother here. We walked to the zoo today and took pictures of many beautiful flowers, as well as plenty of animals. I will post some as soon as possible, though tonight I think I'm headed to the jacuzzi for a bit, first.

A group of people sat down beside me, speaking Japanese, and I realized that I am quite pleasantly comfortable, hearing that spoken and am wishing to go back to Japan before too long. I love Kyoto, and what I've seen of the rest of Japan.