11:00
I try to give the cashier 7000 yen to go up to the Floating Garden Observatory. She only wants 700 yen. The madness has begun.
After viewing the city from all angles 35 stories up, I set off for the railway station but was waylaid by a shop selling bento boxes. I buy one consisting of pickles, rice, egg macaroni, fried fish and fish cake for 200 yen. I realise I have discovered a money-saving tactic, as an average eat-in meal costs at least 600 to 800 yen.
Tip of the Day, courtesy of free monthly Brand-New Osaka:
How to make omuraisu (European-style [yoshoku] rice wrapped with omelet)!
1. Pour beaten eggs into frying pan and stir with chopsticks to aerate the eggs.
2. Sautee rice seasoned with ketchup together with other filling ingredients and place on top of the fried eggs.
3. Tilt frying pan and as you wrap the rice in the egg, shape the omuraisu into a leaf.
18:30
More elevation. I get on the Tempozan ferris wheel (purporedly the world's largest) with a half-eaten 500 yen tiramisu crepe. From there, the setting sun, warehouses by the Osaka Harbour, Osaka Aquarium, the sprawling city, suspension bridges and distant mountain ranges. (And apparently even a little slice of Kobe that I could not identify).
21:30
Japanese friend calls the hostel's main desk, to chat. I have the honour of my room number and nationality announced over the intercom. This does not seem like a common occurance, the staff are hovering, looking perplexed and curious.
Tried to buy a bed for tomorrow at two hostels near the Kyoto Station. Failed! Success with the third - it is out-of-the-way in southwest Kyoto but apparently the cheapest place in the city. I reckon this is what happens to people with no Plans.
