Sunday I've got Friday on my mind...

Friday morning found me waking up on Jo and Rob's couch bed and making my way back to my hotel feeling a little worse for wear. Still, a good night was had on Thursday and I actually felt better than I though I would considering the lack of sleep and NO lack of chu hi...

After a brief nap and a long shower, I made my way to Umeda Sky Building to meet with Chie - a Japanese lady I had made acquaintance with through instagram. She took me to the basement of Umeda Sky Building, which is a replica Showa-period Japanese city full of restaurants, where we dined at a Katsudon restaurant. She was such a sweetheart and in true Japanese style, refused to let me pay for my lunch, which was slightly embarrassing, and even presented me with a small gift, leading to further embarrassment on my behalf as it was all very unexpected... but much appreciated. It was a pleasure meeting Chie.

On my return to the hotel, I was contemplating a quiet night in. Whilst I was submerged in my Japanese tub, I got a message from my friend John to say he was on his way up to my room. My soaking session came to an abrupt end and I grabbed the first items of clothing I could find... which were a total mismatch. He had to meet one of his students for a lesson later that evening and had some time to kill so he thought he would come over and take me to see a gallery space nearby and grab a bite to eat. I was actually glad he did as the gallery was worth seeing and the exhibition currently showing was most interesting and somewhat inspiring. It was by a Japanese collage artist - Ooka Ueno.

I was also somewhat entertained by seeing John eat the biggest inari sushi I have ever seen! Unfortunately, I forgot to photograph it.