Life is busy!

I haven't posted in a while.  >.>  Oops.  But now I can talk about lots of things!

Let's see....last weekend I left off with the weekend still ahead.  On that Saturday, I went and found a bookstore with a friend.  We bought manga (105円!!!) and chatted and went to various stores and stared at the plastic models of food outside restaurants.  I don't know how they make plastic look that tasty.  (It being late afternoon and a while since lunch probably gave them a boost.)  It was fun. 

Then, on Sunday, I went to Arashiyama (嵐山) with my host family.  It's a little town with mountains on all sides, a big river flowing through, and lots of temples and shrines.  Also lots of tourists, apparently especially during spring and fall, when the trees change color and then again when cherry blossoms bloom.  It was very scenic and pretty and I has pictures. 

山

My host parents.

Still with the sideways pic thing.

Temple.  Big temple.  Tenryuji temple.

Niwa!

Koi!  The orange ones are so pretty.

Sideways bamboo.  Bamboo is TALL. 

I am told this shrine is known for hair care.  Like, some shrines you go to pray to meet a good husband, or for good health--apparently at this one apparently you pray for good hair.

DUCKS

Nonomiya shrine.  Apparently mentioned in the Tale of Genji.  This one is apparently good for meeting a good husband.

Then this week has been school and homework and class and kanji quiz and wandering around talking and buying manga.  Also we are planning to see a takarazuka play this weekend!  Takarazuka is probably best compared to broadway--lots of singing, dancing, bright lights, and crazy costumes.  Except the whole cast is female.  They train from something like middle school, some to play female roles and others to play male roles, and can become very famous and popular.  (This is about all I know about Takarazuka, so further inquiries should be directed to the internet.)  The play theoretically follows the plot of the Three Musketeers.  It should be fun.

Also planning to eat at Ninja Restaurant on Saturday.  It's expensive :( but should be fun!  Looking at the english translation of their website, they have themed food and a ninja labyrinth.  Also it looks like the food is practically gourmet.  Will have to see if it's as good as it sounds.