Random Japan. . .

So, I took the bullet train to Osaka a couple of weeks ago to visit friends and old students there. I don't usually, since I'm cheap, and Japan is an expensive place. Hey, it takes 2 hours on the regular train instead of 1, but I can handle it! It's amazing how you don't really feel like you're travelling at 250 km/hr, but the scenery does whiz by pretty quickly. . . or the passing trains if you happen to be at a "smaller" station where the express "shinkansen" don't stop.
So, I couldn't resist -- this is actually a finding about a 2 minute walk away from where I used to live in Osaka (the 2nd time). Guess some things are pretty transcultural, eh? Only on this poster it's reprimanding the dogs, not their owners -- "what are you doing?" Which reminds me, there's nothing like sitting in the park (especially when you can find one with grass in it, and not just concrete and sand) on a nice afternoon, only to be interrupted by some melody wafting through the air followed by a "friendly reminder" to pick up after your dogs, repeated about 5 times over the intercom system which you now realize is wired throughout the park. . . ahh, just when you thought you had found an "escape" from the hustle and bustle. . .
So, I felt a little awkward trying to take this picture strategically amidst the mobs of people vying to get to the ticket dispensers. . . no doubt to get in on the "no my car ticket" deal. . . Funny thing is next machine over, there was the same thing written in Japanese -- I mean, "no mai kaa dei chiketto". Just another example of how adept the Japanese are at increasing their "English vocabularies". ;-)
Just in case you forgot the fact that I still do stick out in this country. . . I sure didn't miss out on that, since every time I go back people are convinced I've been on some kind of growth spurt. But, thankfully that has nothing to do with relationships. . . and these two are both very special to me. My first year in Osaka, we had a class together. . . I don't remember us doing much actual studying, but we sure covered a lot in the conversation area!! So, this time was no different -- over our Italian pasta buffet we had a great time catching up. . . and actually, we're planning on a trip to the hot springs together sometime next winter. Apparently watching the snow flutter down while taking a healing soak in the mineral water is a Japanese experience not to be missed. I believe it. Can't wait!
"Narunia" is finally here!! It came out on the 4th of the month, and the fact that it's being heavily advertised by convenience stores, not to mention that it's Disney, has contributed to making it a very popular movie here. Many of my students have already gone or want to. . . We were able to get some pretty cool "tracts" (I don't really like that word, but I guess that's what they are) that say they are the "complete guide" to Narnia, and explain it's connections to the Bible, through the characters and stuff. Sometimes it seems there are few ways in which the general public comes into "contact" with Christianity, so these kinds of opportunities are exciting, since there is a natural openess and interest.