12:44 - Osaka Castle was great but now it is time that I depart. There's a lovely view from the top of all sides of the building and I thought it was interesting how they showed their estimation of what the area looked like during Hideyoshi's time. It is amazing how much things change and evolve over time. On my way in I noticed that they suggested guests should start from the top and make their way down, the best way to do so was to take the elevator. But instead of addressing me with instructions in Japanese like most people have, the female elevator attendant made the assumption that I wouldn't understand her and spoke in English to me alone. I'm not going to lie, I make assumptions just as much as the next person and sometimes they are necessary but that does not make the completely acceptable. My issue is when I respond in Japanese and the addressee continues on in English, it can be a tad bit upsetting. 
Aside from that little episode I had a great time revisiting a part of history I already knew (the time of the three unifiers) and having that knowledge augmented by new information (the history of Osaka Castle itself). And now I'm going to go . . . Shopping!
NON SEQUITUR: To all the other foreigners in Japan - when you happen to see me please, PLEASE stop giving me dirty looks like I'm some alien life form. I don't care how long you've been in-country, how well you speak the language, or how immersed you think you are in the culture, you are still a guest here as much as I am so please don't delude yourself into thinking you have some greater claim on the country than I do for whatever reason. It does not belong to you so just stop being rude. Thanks.
22:46 - After all of my excitement to relive myself of an undecided amount of money, I am reluctant to say that the frugal frau on my shoulder got the best of me. I visited three really big shopping areas - Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Dotonbori - and spent a grand total of 3,670 yen (approximately $37). In truth, I wasn't able to part with my cash based on two things:
1) besides H&M, Forever 21, Uniqlo, and any number of small unknown shops I do not share the immensely "refined" taste of the population here. Hermes, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana and all of their ilk are far beyond my means and definitely not my style.
and
2) remember the frugal frau I mentioned? well she has this really helpful but often saddening habit of letting me like something and want to buy it until I catch a glimpse of the price tag. For instance, "Oh that is a really cute shirt. I like the style and color of it . . . not for $35 I don't." See? The only one happy in this situation is my wallet. Splurge force foiled again!
Needless to say, I don't think ballin' out here in Japan will do me any good anyways because how in the world will I take it all home? I already plan on raiding Book-Off and coming home with a full series of manga but anything more and I for sure will have a difficult time maneuvering that faux caper, lol.
I must mention that as my failure of a shopping spree was coming to a close I was getting very hungry. It had been about 7 hours since I ate breakfast and I had one specific thing in mind: okonomiyaki [お好み焼き｜おこのみやき]! This amazing pancake-shaped collection of lettuce and bacon and egg and mayonnaise and two ingredients I don't have words for is known for being made in two styles - Osaka and Hiroshima. I've had both in the past but I felt it necessary to have Osaka-style while actually in Osaka. The guide book I got from my hotel led me to Hana no Ki, a nice little mom-and-pop restaurant in the Kuromon Market. Unfortunately, given my severe inability to feed myself regularly I started to scarf the food down instead of enjoying it slowly and by the time I was two-thirds of the way done I almost couldn't finish it. But I did, like a champ and went ahead with the "shopping".
BUCKET LIST UPDATE!
As of this evening I completed yet another goal - #8 Go to a Sweets Shop [Sweets Paradise]. Now I made that specification based on a recommendation from a friend in my Japanese class last semester who had visited there himself and thoroughly enjoyed it. I happened to find it last night (and today while shopping) and made it a point to actually experience it for myself. The way it works is as follows:
1) buy the appropriate ticket (adult w/drink bar or child w/drink bar, add alcohol, or eat sweets only)
2) get seated
3) go insane because this place is a buffet with more than just delicious cakes and perfectly embellished sweets but also a range of pastas and drinks - but beware, you only have 70 minutes . . . dun dun duuuuunnn!
That last part was singularly the most amazing part ever! And for 1,480 yen ($15) I definitely ate my fill. Clearly my mind made me a tad bit ambitious here.
Pictured above are the following sweets from bottom to the top row (their labels not mine): Orange Mousse (tasted super orange. yes I taste colors), Layer Cheese (tasted a bit like cheesecake), Baked Banana (super good, great balance of banana flavor), a Chiffon (creamy pound cake taste), Baked Cheese[cake] (omg! need I say more?), Monpuran (a very good sweet potato based treat), another Chiffon (lemon-ish poppy seed taste), Tiramisu (yummy as usual), and finally a scoop of vanilla ice cream (not pictured). I think I did pretty good and it certainly was a paradise (my boyfriend will probably be very jealous).
Sadly, tonight is my last night in my hotel and I will miss Osaka a lot. As such, I must be off to bed so I can get moving in the morning. I have to fill my time with randomness until it is time to catch my late bus. じゃまた！
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