Osaka, Japan Days 1

Dear friends, family, and readers:

The first two days of our Osaka, Japan adventure have gone very well.

Day 1- The plane rides from Saipan to Guam, Guam to Kansai International Airport were not too much of a hassle. The entry into Osaka was a little turbulent as it was raining when we arrived but that was o.k. in my book because I watched the in flight movie of "Salt," which I hadn't seen before and the in flight meal was really good. In the evening on our way in we became a bit lost as we used the rail system for the first time and our internet directions that the hotel booking site had given us were a bit off. They told us to transfer lines, which as we figured out later, we did not have to do. In the end, however, I don't think we would have found the hotel right a way even if we had correct instructions because in the vicinity of our hotel are 4 different subway line entrances. Luckily our hotel is in a safe location due to the police station being within a few blocks away. While we were walking around we came across it and simply bopped in for directions. The police were kind enough to actually have what I believe may have been an intern walk us to the hotel, which was not far away from the station.
Our hotel for hostel price is very well kept and is very quiet. We are staying at the Hotel Taiyo (pronounced "Tie-yo") for seven nights for around $200 American... The only downside to this hotel is that it is cold in our rooms as there is no heater and it is winter in Japan... but winter here is like a really cold Fall season... The hotel did give us really large comforters though, which keep us very warm at night despite the cool room. The hotel has two American style toilets and both are very neatly kept the rest are squatting reservoirs, which can spray out water. Kara was very glad to find that this hotel has warm water showers and on top of that we do not need to pay for the shower! This is a great deal because so many showers at hostels need to be paid each time and sometimes only run cold water. Kara and I haven't decided whether or not we will partake of the Japanese tradition of showering communally (with those of our own sex) during the times posted at the front desk (more on that later...). The other nice thing is that we are provided a mini-fridge, television, and storage bunk with hangers in our little room. I truly believe God's hand was at work when leading me to cancel our reservations at the Osaka Nagai Hostel in order to stay where we are now, we couldn't have asked for a better hotel for the price we are getting. This is Grant, signing out.

P.S. The images are of Kara and I in our Japanese style bath robes provided by the hotel. Notice in my picture how short the door to our room is. Someone who is tall would hurt themselves if not paying attention!