28 septembre 2005
SAKAE, IT SURE DESERVES A POST
SAKAE (tower in japanese), is the uncontested downtown of Nagoya. Located in the middle of the subway netwrok, it takes about 20 minutes from Shiogamagushi to get there.
After a hard day's work, to have a good drink with some friends or to spend a sleepless night in weekends between karaokes and clubs, Sakae is the right place to go. Just free your mind and I'll take you there in pictures:
An arial view of sakae and its famous Oasis
Oasis is one of the most beautiful building structures in Nagoya. We'll zoom in a little
A corner view of Oasis from where you can see Nagoya tower
The platform is full of water and is accessible for the public for free, the weather is magic at night
From the top of the platform
And Sunshine Sakae, with restaurants, shopping places and its tiny wheel
A jump to Nagoya station and its famous twin towers
21 septembre 2005
NARA LA VILLE DES FAONS ET DU GRAND BUDDHA
Surrounded by Osaka from the west, Kyoto from the north Wakayama from the south and Mie from the east, Nara is almost at the center of the Japanese archipelago. The ancient capital, Nara Heijokyo, established in 710 A.D. and modeled on Changan, Capital of Tang Dynasty China, was an international city, designated by World Heritage as a historical asset.
OUR TRIP
A very peaceful and enjoyable city that takes a single day to tour, Nara contains the major part of buddhist treasures of Japan. I'll let you discover it in pictures
Believe it or not, I got inspiration to write poetry in this park:)
Todaiji, a temple complex in the city of Nara in Nara Prefecture, was built in the year 743. At that time Buddhism was at its height, and served as a state religion. The best-known relic at Todaiji Temple is its Daibutsu, a colossal statue that, with 15 meters (49 feet) in height, is the world's largest gilded bronze Buddha. It is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den, 48 meters (157 feet) in height, the largest wooden building in the world. Within the precincts of the temple, aligned along one-kilometer north-south and east-west axes centered on the Daibutsu-den, are an array of other buildings, including halls and storehouses, seven of which are National Treasures. By virtue of being one of the major historical temples in Japan, TodaijiTemple also possesses many valuable cultural artifacts. More than 20 of these Buddhist statues and other works of art are National Treasures. The repository for them, Shosoin, lives up its name of the Treasure House of the World.
A panorama of the main temple
Lighting a candle for the spirit of ancestors!
And the big buddha
Some very unfriendly faces inside the temple:)
Shérina Sleeping!!:)
Holly water from inside the temple
Nara is the only city in the world where deers (faons) live in a blazing harmony with humans. They are everywhere, don't believe me? Check out the pics
Her heart is beating but she did it:)
This is no park, it's in the middle of the city:)
Japanese people look so innocent:)))
Told you, they are everywhere!!
One of them has even lost the way home:)
This was a special interview granted to us by Mr "Deer"
19 septembre 2005
IN MEMORY OF BILL
Have you ever had the feeling to lose a real part of you? If your answer is No, then imagine tearing off your hands and feet, multiply that pain by 5000, and you'll probably be able to concieve how much it hurts!
One year and a half ago, my beloved dog "Bill" left us for the eternal life at the age of 11. Eleven years of being a real part of my family, he has been through all the major transitions of my life. Bill had a beautiful soul that made him loved by everybody during his life and missed by everybody when gone.
Yesterday night, Bill visited me in my dreams and I was so glad to see him again. So I decided to dedicate this post to him.
Rest in peace dear
To visit Bill's website, please click on the link: http://www.geocities.com/tribute_to_bill_2004/bill
18 septembre 2005
THE SCHOOL OF MAGIC
This is the name of the rock group we've founded in Meijo University. From left to right keyboard, drums, spanish guitar, bass and myself on lead electric guitar and vocals.
Hushy (our shy bass player) and myself 
Caught playing guitar, shiiiiiiiiit!
A week after the formation of the group, we started rehearsing few songs to take part in the new comers welcome concert, where I believe we did great job!
last check before performance
Checking the strings of my electric guitar
Alex, a good drums player! you can even see a part of my hand:)
Performing...
Thanh playing drums on a guitar!!!
Bass and Organ with two girls looking from under the keyboard!!
And a japanese hard rock group:)
16 septembre 2005
OSU KANON, I JUST LIKE IT
Being the most popular place in Nagoya, Osu Kanon is the uncontested place for shopping, hanging out, visiting temples and watching free street shows from time to time! It's an amazing place that I visited more than 30 times but still discover new shops in its narrow streets everytime I go there!
Not to lie to you, I like it 'cause half of osu kannon know me! Anyway here are some shots of the place taken with my phone.
Shinpukuji temple, one of the most famous temples in Nagoya
Temple's library
Corner view of the temple
These pigeons are fed with the money collected by the temple
One of the streets of the central market
And another street
One of the crazily expensive leather shops around!
The obligatory stop in guitar shops!:)
15 septembre 2005
SCARY SKY BEFORE A VIOLENT TYPHOON
Today, another ordinary day, took a look from the window and "ohhhh boy!!" A black and dark purple scary ambiance like I've never seen before. It looked like nature is too angry and is preparing a violent typhoon attack! No time to lose, took my cameras, lenses and hurried to the roof of the engineering building. An incredible wind was blowing, but don't worry I am still too fat to be taken by a typhoon!
Enjoy the anger of nature
The graves are right in front of this building in case!
And another gloomy sky, perfect time for the "gloomy bear"
to slaughter of the children of Shiogamagushi
14 septembre 2005
KYOTO THE ITCHIBAN ROMANTIC CITY IN JAPAN
After about two months of tourism inside nagoya, it was time to move on to some real staff. Kyoto was first on our list and it was worth it. Not to lie to you, being a foreigner is not very easy in Japan, so plenty of bad staff happened during this trip, still nothing could mess up our mood:) we actually spent one of the most enjoyable and funniest times of our lives in this city. It's just magic!
Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor 's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face. Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was not chosen as a target of air raids during World War II. Countless temples, Shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.
I recently had the opportunity to go to kyoto again and visit some of the places we missed in the first trip. Ok, enough blabla, picture time
Kyoto Station, the modern face of Kyoto
and a view from inside the station (Impressing!)
Right in front of the station, you got an ugly "something" named kyoto tower!!
The best thing in this tower was the public bath we took there:)
Being in the center of Kyoto, the first thing to see was definitely the bridge of lovers. A very peaceful place with water flowing down the river and plenty of couples enjoying the moment in a very romantic athmosphere. That was greaaaat!
An amazing dinner in an incredibly romantic athmospehere in one of the veranda restaurants on the river, that was just magic!
The Walk of Philosophy (Tetsugaku no michi) is a pleasant path besides a canal that connects Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion) with the vicinity of Nanzenji. This later was used by buddhist scholars to move between temples. Cherry trees are planted along most of the over one kilometer long path, making it one of Kyoto's most popular spots for hanami(cherry blossom viewing) in spring.
All through the path, we had a very hot discussion about how philosophy can lead you to the right belief. The debate went very bad at the end:)
The path of philosophy in japanese kanji
A view from up the moutain in the silver pavillion
Shérina complaining!!
Silver sand
Have you ever heard about french japanese cuisine, well it's magic!
After an endless search for our new hotel, I deserved a little rest and a japanese strange snack!!
This was during my second trip, welcome to the golden pavillion
12 septembre 2005
NICE TO MEET YOU CALIMERO
A master student in ICN (Institut Commerce de Nancy), She came to Japan part of her school's exchange program with Meijo University. Nice, friendly, intelligent, big hearted and most of all a girl that I adore, Shérina added that very sweet touch to my japanese life and travel adventures. Nicknamed CALIMERO, nothing is fair according to her!
10 septembre 2005
WELCOME FRENCH GIRLS!
1st of April, two french students from Nancy Commerce institute arrive to japan part of Meijo University's Exchange program. We were introduced to each other during the opening of the second japanese course.
Knowing the tight relations between Morocco and France:)), I decided to throw few small parties to help the french girls to progressively get used to the place. The first one was near the river, under the sakura trees and "Mr. me" in a 3 hours non stop guitar performance. There was a misunderstanding about time so Shérina was not able to come. Agnes, a Metallica lover kept requesting and requesting songs till I was out of energy. Some korean and japanese people passing by requested to join us and everything turned into a very funny and enjoyable night!! Sorry no pictures, guitar was all I did that night !
ORIENTAL NIGHT IN MY PLACE
A japanese friend of the previous Moroccan student in Meijo University informed me that he still got the chicha of Khalil, and offered to lend it to me for some time. I couldn't say no! I immediately informed everybody and contacted thanh and alex to make a small oriental dinner and chicha party in my room.
Food, drinks, chicha, loud music, some guitar and nice company, bref, all the ingredients for an incredible night.
From left to right: Yasuhiko!, Shérina, me and thanh 
Everybody - Thanh
and a panorama of one of the tables:)
Thanh for sure playing "When you say nothing at all" Ronan Kating :)
09 septembre 2005
SAKURA (CHERRY FLOWERS)
Start of april, Sakura flowers are creating an amazing symphony of colors all around japan. People go out for picnics, enjoy drinking tea and japanese whiskey under the cherry trees:
Beautiful, isn't it?
A small party was organized by Professor Tatsuno in the restaurant open air hall during these days. We enjoyed chating, playing guitar, singing, eating and drinking under the awesome sakura! That was just magic! I didn't take any pictures 'cause I was too busy with other staff:)
