Photos from Japan

We have had a good time so far. We've seen a temple, Osaka, Japanese shopping, Kyoto and one of the world's largest ferris wheels. The food is a big adjustment. Besides edamame, who says lets go out for Japanese food. (Please don't confuse with Chinese which is very different and does included fried rice. Also Benihana (or Japanese steakhouse) is an American version of Japanese and doesn't actually exist here. Lastly sushi lovers, I do agree that Japan provides a great dish to you....but I don't like fish...so I'm out).

So here are the pics... (which are in no real order thanks to Blogger's confusing picture application)

Just like in New Orleans...Cafe Du Monde in Osaka, Japan.

Japanese Lunch (we did have fried rice)

Some of you asked for pics of my dad in Japan. You can see him heads above the rest.

jellyfish at Osaka aquariumone of the world's largest ferris wheels - 112.5 meters (or 370 feet) in height

the Japanese sometimes struggle with correct English...I thought this was funny
(but they do MUCH better at English than I do with Japanese)

many little kids were visiting the aquarium when we were...they were these hats to keep them organized by class or something

the Japanese love English...they like to wear shirts with English but usually they make no sense...I guess it related to how many Americans have tattoos with Chinese or Japanese characters. Do you really think those tattoo artist know the language?

when we visited the Kiyomizu temple all the rocks had bibs...not sure why

In Kyoto we ran into a group of geisha girls. I was super excited! Have you see the movie Memoirs of a Geisha?

the vending machines in Japan are a little different...Japanese doesn't have a 'l' sound so cola is cora

check out the Merry Xmas wreath

this is in front of the Kiyomizu Temple

eastern toilets - most are like ours at home but I thought th

Hello from Japan

I made it to Japan on Sunday night around 7:00pm. (Both of my flights on United had mechanical problems that delayed both flights.) I started my stop watch on take off from Dallas and at touch down in Osaka it was 20 hours and 7 minutes. That includes the three hour layover in San Fran and the two mechanical errors. Anyway...

When I called Chad from the Osaka lobby...they were on the way to get me. Since my flight was so late...they figured they would meet me at the airport instead of the train station. So my fears of figuring out the Osaka train station were for nothing.

I was a little dazed from the flight and all so I forgot to take pictures yesterday. We do have a great view from the hotel so I am posting those below. Once Chad wakes up (he sleeps pretty late) we are going to head to Kyoto.

Also Blogger must read the IP address and know that I am in Japan. All of the wording in Japanese.

Konnichiwa Japan

I am in the single digit day countdown until my trip to Japan. I'm going to visit my little brother who has been living in Osaka, Japan since March. I leave on Saturday (10/27) from DFW at 7:55am for a quick flight over to San Fran (SFO), CA. I then leave SFO at 1:21 PM and arrive Osaka on Sunday (10/28) at 4:40PM. The flight is 11hours and 19 minutes with a 14 hour time difference (16 from California). For my trip back...I'll travel in time. I leave on Monday (11/5) at 6:55PM and arrive at SFO Monday at 11:11AM.

I think I should be able to post pictures from Japan so check back often next week. My initial plans include multiple sites in Osaka, a day in Tokyo (including a quick look at Mt. Fugi) and a day or two in Kyoto...maybe dinner in Kobe to try the beef.

Trip to San Fran and Vegas...

Well a promised pictures...about a month ago. In the start of September, I had a week long trip to San Fran and Vegas...here are a few pics...

(this is at the San Fran airport the day Southwest started service!)

(a hotdog at the Giants game)

(this is a photo of a co-worker with Gene Simmons...I took the pic)

(Sam & I in Vegas)

The links are back...

So I was trying to create a really cool look with a customized blog design. Then I realized that I don't even have time to update my blog. Why would I have time to create a custom look.

So I'm back to Blogger Basic. Until I actually have a few hours to post.