weekend in osaka

I promised myself that no matter how my morning went today, I would write about it.  I haven’t mentioned that my AirBnb is across the street from one of the bath houses.  Literally a football throw away–well maybe not my throw, but Peyton Manning’s throw for sure.  I committed to myself that I would go there before I move from this place–how stupid not to?  I kept hoping Katie could go, but it just hasn’t worked out.  With a week left here, it was now or never.

A couple days ago I scoped it out.  Katie had said yes, I could handle it.  That I should enter the old market building, and the bath house was upstairs.

I delayed in every way possible this morning.  Finally, I decided to at least walk over to the bath house with the intent to go, but could change my mind any minute.

The whole walk there–no kidding, 2 minutes–my brain was saying Abort, Abort!  It was ridiculous–what was the worst that could happen?  Some old Korean lady yelling at me that I forgot to take my shoes off?  I would just bow, apologize, and leave.  I kinda followed a guy in and I was really concentrating.  He took off his shoes and put them in the lockers just inside the door.  It required a 100 yen coin–no problem.  Then I went through the doorway he went in.  There was a young clerk at a desk waiting on a woman.  When it was my turn I said, “Bath? Towel?”  In pretty decent English, he said, “Over here.”  He showed me how to buy my tickets from the machine.  I asked about the lockers, and he pointed me into the back of the building.

I noticed on the way there were massage chairs and full massage rooms.  I saw the word “Women” on a curtain and went through.  I knew this part, sorta.  Figured out the locker–another 100 yen.  Shower.  Then back to the amazing baths–I was in!

I was mad at myself for not remembering to ask Katie if this was the place that had an “electric” pool–yes, that’s correct!  She went to one spa that had electricity in the water!  Her students at work explained that it is an old technique some people use.  Not me–no way.  That actually sounded frightening!  So I tested every pool with a finger or toe first!

I worked my way through each pool and it was just as amazing as the first bath house.  This place included like a maze of pools you walk through, each section with jets that hit different parts of your body–upper back, lower back, shoulders.  Outside, where it was 50 degrees and sunny, there was a pool that was 3 inches deep.  It felt amazing to cool off while in that shallow pool of water.

Admittedly, I found it hard to be in the moment.  I wanted to really relax the way the other women did, resting their chins on the side and closing their eyes.  I got in a warm pool and counted slowly in French.  I couldn’t remember the word for 50, haha, so didn’t get too far, but I really really tried to relax.  I guess I was so relieved to have done it at all, I kinda wanted to just wrap it up.  I really don’t understand why it was so worrisome, but it was.

I needed to leave early to meet Katie.  I didn’t need to meet her until 3:30, but this was the train I had been kicked off of last week, so I wanted extra time.  And I still had one more stop to make in the spa.

I got dressed and there was an older woman sweeping the place, every inch of which is spotless.  There was a bandaid on the floor.  She looked kinda grumpy and I was worried she thought it was my bandaid.  I couldn’t figure out where to put my towels, so finally I asked her–meaning I held them out with a questioning look on my face.  She smiled and gladly took them.

I had noticed a room on the way in that Katie had mentioned.  People were just laying on the floor relaxing, fully clothed, some dozing off, some watching the quiet TV.  I realized as soon as I stepped in there were only men.  I looked around and didn’t see any “no women” signs, so I lay with my head on my coat and again tried to relax.  I counted to French really fast this time and left.

So wow, big girl did it on her own–whoopty-doo!  I feel stupid even writing about it except I said I would and maybe if you get a chance to go you will 🙂

As Katie said–everything is harder here, so maybe that’s why I’ve just been exhausted.  I finally decided to stay home on Thursday.  The weather was horrible–40’s and raining.  I picked up groceries for Katie and made her dinner.  Yesterday, Friday, I thought I’d wander to Namba Parks.  This is another shopping area which includes another movie theatre.  I just cannot get used to the way in which the malls stop and start and bend and go up and down and inside and outside, as you can see below.

And always the mountains in the background in every direction, when you can see them over the buildings.

I saw a sign for a pancake place, but just could not find it, since all of the signs are in Japanese and shape of the mall so obscure.  I was about to give up and then there it was–good grief!  It was called Porco which just makes me laugh!  But it was really good! I had never had a salad with breakfast but no problem.  The “bacon” wasn’t really bacon but it was very good.  The eggs were under-cooked but still good.  You can see Porco stamped on the yummy pancakes with mixed berries in the cute little glass cup.  No chopsticks here!

The movie theatre was right there so I decided to see The Shape of Water.  I didn’t know anyting about it except it won Best Picture.  Once you give the guy your ticket you go up 2 escalators–the place is huge.  Me and my dozen Japanese friends watched the movie in English with Japanese subtitles and stayed all the way through the credits 🙂

I just got home for the night tonight after meeting Katie for lunch, then taking that long train home from Nara.  Standing room only on the second train.  Today I stayed in the mall where she works–no exploring for a couple days.  I did go to the rooftop parking garage and you could see really far.  I could hear a lovely bird call and noticed a blue and brown bird literally smiling at me 🙂  You’ll be thrilled to know it was a Blue Rock Thrush–you won’t seen him in North America!

Now it’s time for Netflix.  It’s the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament.  NBC shows all the games online–but not in Japan.  But that’s okay!  I just watch the highlights on YouTube and barely know the difference!

Sorry for the fairly boring update, but boring has been pretty good for a couple days.  Tomorrow is Umeda again already, so we will see what happens.  I haven’t ruled out staying home–I’m working on a post that includes information about exciting things like manhole covers!  Stayed tuned!

Photo:  Escalators behind the glass at Namba Parks Mall