Friday didn't start off well, but I knew it would end well. It started with me missing my bus. Not by much, but due me losing my bike key, I had to run all the way home, throw my bag together and run to the bus. I saw it as it left the station. I had plans for Osaka at 8, so I knew the next bus wouldn't get me there even close to 10. Such stupid busses! So I ended up using my brilliant Japanese (lol!) to convince a taxi driver to chase the bus. In reality, it was a good idea, but after 10 minutes for the taxi to arrive, a million Japanese red lights, and single
track roads (meaning no overtaking)Turns out, there arent too many stops between Hagi and Shin-Yamaguchi. In the end, the taxi man drove like he was driving a derby car, but he got me to the stop right before the bus did! It was hefty, but so worth it! I got on the bus, and to Osaka in no time. I met Josh there, and I was pretty excited, because we had a date at the top of the
Umeda Sky Building. Once, I found him, I found out also that he had brought me a present. Not any present, but frosting and goldfish crackers. It was pretty much the nicest thing anyone has done for me, since I had said I missed them.Lots of swooning ensured. We ran across Osaka, and up to the sky building. It was really fun. A beautiful view, and very romantic, considering how rushed we were. I dont think it is the tallest building in Osaka, but a lot of things glow and the whole atmosphere is fun. Sadly, I had to go catch another shrink. After a pretty perfect kiss on the station, I was quickly on my way to Ishikawa. So quick, and fast, but perfect.
After tasting some crepes, and fighting along the crowds, and having a little rest of our feet, which were killing us, we headed over to the famous Kenroku Koen (gardens).For the two day festival weekend they light up the garden, and allow people to go in at night. Apparenlty they do it also in the winter too. The garden 
was huge, and lovely, with a giant lake in the middle, and a nice combination of trees, grass, rivers and flowers. I especially liked these really cool purple flowers which lines the river beds. They were simply amazing, and lit up at night, it seemed like they were almost neon in colour. I didnt have a tripod, so my photos are a little shaky, but I like the blur.
One of the biggest, I guess you might say, "attractions" is this stone lantern with split legs, sitting near a bridge by the lake. It is featured all over the city, on postcards, and everything.We had to line up to see it, which was pretty strange, but there were lots of people there lining up to see this lantern. We saw it, and took a long time taking photos, and then headed to an all-you-can-eat Italian Restaurant that Len and Cori like from home. They we headed back to the hostel for a well deserved rest!
