furthernewsfromtheshire

Starting a Blog

If you haven’t noticed already, I’m new to this whole blogging thing. As I get older, I find that certain aspects of technology are passing me by; I guess that’s how it happens when you become a gentleman of mature years. I recall some of the phone calls I used to have providing basic techContinueContinue reading “Starting a Blog”

Preparation

Off to the Land of the Rising Sun

Departing

Okay, I did my civic duty and voted. Long line at Portsmouth High School, and my wife Kay was working at the desk registering new voters. Now I have to throw my paltry possessions into my rucksack and head over to catch the bus down to Logan Airport; my flight’s leaving just after midnight. It’s about 15 hoursContinueContinue reading “Departing”

Wheels Down in Hong Kong

So, I caught the 7 PM bus to Boston and got to Logan about 8 PM. That gave me about 4 hours to kill before boarding. Luckily, since I was flying Business Class, I had access to their lounge, a first for me. They have a buffet and pretty much all the booze you canContinueContinue reading “Wheels Down in Hong Kong”

Osaka

When I touched down in Osaka, I was so disoriented I wasn’t sure what day it was (still not sure come to that, maybe Friday?) but there was still customs to clear. There were many small Japanese women issuing commands in what I am reasonably sure was Japanese and gesticulating in various directions. I filledContinueContinue reading ” Osaka”

Friday in Osaka

It’s about 7 PM, and I’ve ventured out again, looking for ramen, and I’ve found some in another one of those covered shopping streets near my hotel; they seem to be everywhere. The food here is remarkably inexpensive. The bowl of ramen is 860 yen, which is about $5.60 US; I estimate it couldn’t beContinueContinue reading “Friday in Osaka”

More Osaka Highjinks

Today I ventured into the Osaka subway for the first time; up till now it was cabs or walking, but my dogs are barking. Osaka Castle is right in the center of town. The castle is impressive; you feel like you have gone back in time or maybe ended up in an epidode of Shogun.ContinueContinue reading “More Osaka Highjinks”

Adventures in Kyoto with Our Man in Japan

I’m off to Kyoto today. I’m having a problem with my phone and tablet, as neither of them will download apps; I go to the Play Store and hit the download button, and it just says “pending” forever. This makes it impossible to do things like make reservations from Osaka to Kyoto on the JRContinueContinue reading “Adventures in Kyoto with Our Man in Japan”

Yet More Kyoto

Yesterday I did some some exploring in Kyoto. There is another one of those covered markets near my hotel that sells local delicacies. I think Kay would have particularly enjoyed one of their specialities, a bright red whole baby octopus on a stick with a quail egg stuffed in the head for added flavor andContinueContinue reading “Yet More Kyoto”

Last Day in Kyoto

Today I got up reasonably early and took a cab back down to the Gion District, not too far from where I was yesterday in the Geisha quarter. There is a huge Buddhist temple where you can purchase small strips of paper in tiny envelopes. You can pick the general kind of fortune you want:ContinueContinue reading “Last Day in Kyoto”