Jackpot -- again!!!

Our most recent score had been finding Costco, but as of today we found something just as good -- if not waaaaayyy better!

To start our day off we headed over to Cosmosquare. We went to the World Trade Center to go to the World Buffet for lunch. It wasn't very "worldly" and the selection wasn't the best, but at least we tried. We figure dinner will be a lot better, so I am sure we will be going back. The view from the WTC was amazing.....Osaka is massive -- it is crazy! Unfortunately it was a pretty smoggy day, so our photos didn't turn out that well.

This WTC is 55 floors. There is an observatory at the top. You have to pay to get in, but if you are cheap like us...check out the washrooms on the 48th floor and you can see the view for free.

Palm trees in Japan....who would've thought. I didn't know!

This is the view we had from our table at the World buffet. On the left is the Tempozan Ferris Wheel....our apartment is a one minute walk from there.

After that Jame suggested we go check out Rinku Town....an outlet shopping center. Our landlord had told us of another outlet center near the WTC. We went there last week and the stores were nothing to write home about, so to say the least I didn't have any high expectations for Rinku Town.

Since these shops are near the Kansai airport, we took the train that way for about an hour. As soon as we got off the train and headed towards the mall I saw a GAP sign....instant smile!

As we got closer I heard some awesome tunes being played (i.e. - Spice Girls, Keith Sweat --- the Japanese love those good ol' pop songs). This place is heaven!

Of course that was the first store we made our way into. It was a GAP/Banana Republic combo, so even better! The selection and size range was perfect and needless to say I could have spent A LOT of money. I found a cute sweater, so I took it off the rack and tried it on in front of a mirror nearby. No more then 3 seconds after I had pulled it over my head a sales associate gestured me towards the change room. Oops.....I guess you are not supposed to try things on in the store. My bad!!

As I was standing in the changeroom, I decided that I liked the sweater and went to take it off. The other sales associate working the change area waved at me "no no no" and gave my what looked like a helmet bag. I had no idea what it was and she gestured putting it on her head. She started to play charades and this is what I got out of it: 1) putting on make up 2) put the bag on your head 3) take off the item of clothing 4) take off the face cover. AHHHHH...got it....the bags prevent make-up from getting on the new clothing! Good idea!

These were not in clear sight at the GAP. I took this photo in the Nike changeroom.

After GAP Jame and I walked around Rinku Town. The stores are pretty comparable to Seattle Premium Outlets...if not a little bit better. Jame and I could've gone crazy, but like I mentioned in a previous entry --- we are still adjusting to getting paid once a month. I left with a cool Quicksilver hoodie and Jame scored a cheap pair of shorts and shirt. Once I get a decent paycheque I am soooo going back! Not only are the clothing stores awesome, but next door there is a Sports Depo with sweet sneakers and another store that sells super cool and super cheap stuff for your house. Girls....you'd die!

This picture just goes to show how hi-tech Japan is. You want a drink, but don't have any money. No problem, use your cell-phone to pay and it will be tacked on to your next cell payment.