Japan iv: Last day in Osaka at the Aquarium

After an epic first day my feet were still killing me.  I had intended to go to Universal Studios Osaka as well as the Umeda Sky Building.  After hearing that Universal was all line ups and pushy people (even if you showed up when the gate opens) I decided that spending $75 just to see The Wizarding World…

Japan ii: The first night

We checked in around 8 PM at J-Hoppers Hostel in Fukushima after a 70 minute ride on the JR line from the airport.  I thought that we had all booked spaces in the mixed dorms, but my friends had gone ahead and booked a triple room for themselves.  J-Hoppers offered me a space in the…

Japan i: Fly Peach

Getting to the airport for my mini-break (sorry – “summer vacation” from Wednesday – Sunday) was perhaps the easiest and least stressful travel-related thing I’ve ever done.  Last Wednesday I slept in, did a load of laundry, rocked Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred, packed, and took the subway to the airport.  From the time I…