First Stop- Osaka

The girls have been so excited about this trip. Mack has been talking about Thailand for a long time. She was really excited when we told her it would be one of the places we be going this summer. I doubt she really even knew anything about Thailand though! This trip will take us to Japan, Thailand, and Cambodia. One month of exhausted and beautiful adventure. It’s a gift we are so lucky to give these girls.

We arrived in Osaka at about 7:15 last night. We arrived at the hotel at 11:30...you do the math. Between customs and trains...it was a long time which made us whole new kind of tired. Trying to keep my eyes open on the train was nearly impossible. Almost painful. I was so afraid we were going to both fall asleep and miss our stops.
Funny too.  All eyes on my blonde children.  People were totally staring at Mackenzie while we were in line.  It was like no one has ever seen a blonde Caucasian girl before.  Fiona is uncomfortable with the staring.  I told her just to smile back.  It's a good lesson.

Today was a great first official day of our month away. We took 3 trains and headed to the aquarium in the morning. Oh and we mustn’t forget our stop and Mc Donald’s this morn for pancakes and such. Pointing to the pictures on the menu was funny.  I'm finding that using hand gestures is essential!  

The aquarium was really great...if you can ignore the tired blonde girl who cried excessively the entire time.  Talk about staring.  We enjoyed walking through the neighborhoods to get there too.  Taking the train around has been a really neat way to travel and feel more a part of the culture.  Don't get me wrong- it's totally confusing at first.  Brian is the man and has got it figured out. Once you have done it a few times, you get used to the names of the stops and it's way easier.  

We spent the afternoon at Universal Studios.  Yes, you heard me right.  Our completely jet-lagged selves spent the rest of the day walking and walking and walking.  We had half day tickets and tomorrow we have full day tickets.  It's so funny to ride the rides and hear only Japanese.  We just nod our heads and copy everyone else.  It's really another great lesson for these girls to feel what it feels like to be lost in a sea of confusion.  

We are finding that Universal Studios is no longer a good match for Mack's sensory needs.  She is afraid of all of it now (plus she is exhausted).  She enjoyed much of it in Florida, but as parents of special kids know...things change all the time and you just have to go with it.  I expect we will do lots of sitting and waiting tomorrow while Daddy and Sister enjoy all it has to offer.  It's okay.  I've learned how to have fun in the peace too.  Snoopy rides are good.  She's just really tall now.  It's okay.  She's really blonde too.  She stands out anyway ;)

Today is our last day in Osaka.  We will be off to new adventures.

Check back to see where our adventure takes us tomorrow.  Sayonara!