Burning money, seeing sights

I will have to start posting backwards, since I have had so much time without internet or time over the past 11 days.

I'm going out sight-seeing today, with Kim and Mary (two others who have traveled to Nagoya, Japan with me). Yesterday, Kim and I went to see Nagoya's famous castle. It really was spectacular. Much of the property was damaged by bombs/fires in WWII but the main castle is okay and other parts are under repair. The castle is famous for the golden "fish" (half fish, half dragon) that adorn the roof. We saw the castle with Natsuka-san, a very sweet girl we met at a bar on Friday night. She asked us if we needed a tour guide. I told her we did not need a guide but would love to have her company. Cost: 400 yen ticket in, 600 yen train ticket.

Nagoya Castle 

With a famous advertising cartoon- kuwaii = cute

The juxtaposition of ancient and modern

After the castle, we went out for lunch (joining a Polish woman we had also met Friday night as well as a friend/pharmacy school classmate of Natsuka-san). My meal of sashimi tuna and a pureed raw tuna, over rice, was oichii (delicious). I actually ate the entire thing (apparently I was the only one who was able to finish all the food); considering my tiny appetite, I find this a note-worthy event. We also cooked squid and a type of yam over a fire at the table. It was good to finally understand why calamari comes in ring shapes. Cost: 1000 yen.

Lunch with new friends

After lunch, we went shopping in downtown Nagoya. I spent 2950 yen on a sort of moisturizing eye shadow foundation. I am in love with the clothes in Japan. They are so girly and fun. Unfortunately, at >7500yen price point (>$93) I couldn't justify impulse buys. I am going to work through my budget though to see how much I can spend each week.

Temple in the middle of downtown

The city at night