WEEK 5!!! I AM IN LOVE WITH KOBE!!!

Hi everyone!!!!

So I think Canada right now is having a bit of a heat stroke and the temperatures for the last few days have not been very pleasant. So I guess I will stop complaining on how hot it is in Japan in my blog from now on :)

So as a much traditional country, there are tons of festivals (matsuri) happening all over the country at almost anytime during the year (well not so much in the winter I guess). I was very fortunate to be invited to go with the lab to one of the Shrines festivals in Ibaraki city. Here are a few recaps

Us at the Torii (gate) and having fun in front of the stage!

A few pictures at the event!! How crowded!!!

Escaping from the crowd in the festival, we ended up having dinner at a restaurant. I was very happy to see the professors join us as well. We had a great time (unlimited meals and DRINKS, who would not have a good time LOL)

Later in the weekend, I was able to explore Kobe. The city is about an hour away from where I live. I have to say that I am very lucky to be so closed to all the beautiful cities and sceneries (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara,..) The travel has been very easy for me as well since I am always either with a group of friends of local labmates who know the area so well, so that is a big plus. Kobe is one of a few large ports in Japan and although with all the heat (sorry I know I promise not to complain about the heat), I enjoyed the city very much. Being a large trading centre, the city is filled with mixed cultures. Here are a few pictures of us on a boat cruise

So as said in the last post, I will end this post again with a few fun facts about Japan/Japanese. I am sure you guys will love this one (especially for people in science). So we know how Japanese are obsessed with anime, manga…. And I don’t have to look too far to find one example --> MY LAB. Here are a few demonstrations (credited to Yoneyama-san, our lab technician for her amazing drawing skills and her creativity)

1-Hate aggregations! 2-Refolding anyone? 3-Integral or peripheral mem protein?

So, I realize that I only have 4 weeks left!! Is there anywhere else you guys think I should explore in Japan?