So, it's been almost two weeks since my last update. I'd like to say it's because I've been so busy gallivanting over the Japanese countryside. Well, okay, that's actually half true. I have been busy with work which has taken me all over the Kansai region. As a nice side effect, I'm becoming extremely familiar with the local train lines. It turns out that in Sannomiya (read: downtown Kobe) there are actually four different rail companies running five rail lines (that I've found so far.) that includes 3 over-land commuter trains and 2 subway lines. It seems (judging from the last few weeks) that I can be expected to utilize all 5 lines in any given week. Intimacy with the system is necessary because some lines have stations with the same name in other cities (i.e. JR-Amagasaki, Hankyu-Amagasaki, Hanshin-Amagasaki.) But, that doesn't mean these stations are ANYWHERE near one another. So, if you're headed to a store near Hankyu-Amagasaki and you take the JR train, you're in for one heck of a walk (or going all the way back to Sannomiya, where the lines all intersect.)

As far as my usual wander-lust adventuring, I was pretty beat after Hiroshima, so the most exciting thing I did that week was laundry. This week I actually got off my arse on Tuesday and took the Ropeway from Shin-Kobe up the mountain there to visit the Kobe Herb-Park which has a great view of all of Kobe (and even Osaka and Kansai airport (across the bay) on a really clear day.)

Big dam and reservoir seen from ropeway car.

Foreground: Kobe Herb-Park green house.
Kobe, Port Island, and Kobe airport in the background.

My room, now lived in for almost a month.

Not much of an update I'll admit. Maybe the weather will be nice this week and I'll get over to Himeji (where there's a great Japansese castle) and/or to Suma (the closest public beach.)

Oh, that does reminds me of one point. It's been announced that the rainy-season has arrived in Japan. I can't say I've ever lived in a place with a rainy SEASON before. Not too surprising the forecast on any given day calls for a 40-90% chance of rain (also strange that in the States you almost never get a 90% chance of rain, it usually tops off around 70%... I wonder why...) But I digress.

I hope this post finds you in good health and good spirits. Until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.

P.s. Happy Birthday to Me!

P.p.s. In other news, the former president of my former company has been arrested on a variety of charges related to the crash and burn of the company. What's that feeling? Faith being restored in "the system"? Yes, I think it is!