Sightseeing around the castle

For April 17



At Kanazawa Castle with some of my classmates

We did lots of hard work in class today, learning several new concepts that I’ll need to get my head around..  The most challenging exercise was explaining to someone in Japanese how to use a photocopier and a vending machine.

With frazzled brains, we went after our morning’s class to the Kanazawa Castle.  The ‘host mother’ of one of my fellow students had some spare time today, so she offered to give us a guided tour of the castle neighbourhood.  This included shrines and gardens and some wonderful scenery.  It was lovely to have a local resident to be our guide and we had a very interesting afternoon.

On the bridge near the castle

Ulla and I went to the station to buy our train tickets for the day we leave Kanazawa – getting in early as it’s a popular time for travelling in Japan.  We then limped into Starbucks for a sit down and a chai latte.  How very civilized after a tiring day.

At the International Lounge - a quiet place to sit and rest

 

My ankles have swollen like balloons, so I’m really struggling with sore feet and legs, but I don’t want to miss anything so I’m soldiering on.  Tomorrow we’re off to the Gold Leaf Museum which should be very interesting.

Cute kids going home from school

I’ve just finished writing the draft of the speech that I have to hand up tomorrow (and deliver the speech on Friday).  It’s a bit basic, but it will have to do.  I’m reading a short children’s book each night to keep up my reading skills.  Tonight’s book is called “John-san goes to Japan”, so I’m off to bed with John-san.

Shrine

Goodnight all.