Some of you know that I lost my job two weeks ago. I haven’t done much since then, haven’t put together a CV or written any applications.
Yesterday I was offered a new job, an absolute dream. Starting in February. I haven’t accepted yet, but I’ll probably do so.
Now I have two months (paid) time to do something. I’m thinking of taking an Interrail trip to Europe: Scandinavia and Eastern Europe in particular. Or simply a month in Japan, which has always been a dream of mine (but of course it would be nicer if my wife could come along too). Almost the same price, at least the tickets. What should I do now? Europe or Japan?
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Having done both, I’d recommend Japan over Interrail. Not that a Europe trip’s bad at all, but Japan is just so different and has the more impressive sights imo. Lot of interesting cultural and historical stuff to see, some of it reasonably cheap too. Also one of the safest feeling, friendly and cleanest places I’ve been (in tourist areas anyway). Though I think you’d be out of season for the cherry blossoms right now…
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Go to Japan!
You can knock off a European destination on a 3 day weekend whenever you want. I know that’s not the same as doing a bunch together but Japan is like way far away and takes more time to get to/from; I say do that now while you have the time. Plus they have trains 
there too so you’re not missing out if you just love trains you can ride them from Osaka to Kyoto or Tokyo to Shirakawa.
Oh and congrats on the job offer. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky, right?
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I’d say Japan as well, definitely, given you have so much time available. Like Yacob says, you can do trips around Europe bit by bit any time, whereas with Japan you spend a chunk of your free time just getting here and back. Plus the winter weather in Japan is generally more pleasant than Eastern Europe and (I imagine) Scandinavia, and nothing beats dipping yourself in a hot onsen in the winter.
Definitely out of season for the cherry blossoms, but if he gets here quick enough, the autumn leaves are still around in a number of places.
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I would wholeheartedly recommend going to Japan. Europe is also a fantastic destination, with many different cultures.
However Japan is just built different, it’s unique. I have never been to a country like Japan. My girlfriend and I feel in love with the land of the rising sun, we have many trips left. Personally I can’t wait to show my daughter Japan, when she is a bit older.
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Thanks everyone. Japan it is. Any recommendations of what to do and where to go there? Definately going to visit a friend of mine (he lives in Nara).
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I heavily enjoyed Kyoto, especially Fushimi Inari Taisha Sembon Torii (tori gate hike) and Nijo castle and I recommend spending a day or two in a Ryokan, a tradition Japanese inn.
These are just on the top of my mind.
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Well if you are going to Nara then I recommend the massive park complex they have over there. They have a lovely collection of temples including one of the largest wooden structures in the world plus the famous deer park is there.
Of course there is also the two big cities in Kansai, Osaka and Kyoto. Osaka is perhaps a bit more modern but Kyoto is fantastic if you are interested in the culture of the nation. Gion at night was fantastic, the Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji temples are a must as is Fushimi Inari-Taisha.
Osaka has its huge castle (it doesn’t contain a smaller castle within itself), it has Dotonbori if you are a huge fan of Like a Dragon then you will get a kick out of being there and if you aren’t then it is basically Shinjuku of southern Japan and I think they have a state of the art stadium if you like wanna see how they play baseball in Japan.
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I’d go to Nara Park while you’re there to see, and feed, the wild deer. Tokyo of course, especially areas like Shibuya. Kyoto is really nice in general and the bamboo forest there is a great walk. Any of the big temples/shrines, some are really impressive. Himeji castle is also very interesting if you like historical things. Mt Fuji is a must see, but if you don’t want to climb it you can see it from afar from many other places/trains. I also caught a train up to Nagano to see the snow monkeys in the hot springs which was a great experience. I’d recommend Owakudani as well, a sulphuric volcano, you can ride a cable car up and eat some black boiled eggs.
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Hope all who celebrate have a good thanksgiving. 
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Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving friends, to those who celebrate.
Very rainy, overcast day here in NYC. Soon, we will drive upstate to spend the day with some of my partner’s family. We will eat much food and drink much wine and we will all successfully avoid conversations about Trump with dumb uncle Mike.
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Sup fuckers
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He has risen. The chosen one.
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Free Palestine
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Welcome back
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That’s… unexpected. Where ya been?
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Touring Europe, breaking legal decibel limits and getting in trouble
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Welcome back Quinn I guess. 
Hope everyone had a good USA thanksgiving and ate lots of good food.
Hope you can have a good black friday season (month) and find great deals.
I sure know I did. I’ll… maybe embarassingly post a picture of a set of games I got once it’s all shipped.
In other news, chicken is sick today. Dry throat in the morning, thought it was a cold at first, went into work in the afternoon, then felt reeeally lightheaded and weak about an hour in.
Could not work like that, so I asked to go home.
Just had a nap. Feel a little better, still weird. Gonna drink some soup.
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I got the 3D Printer. It’s… Heavy! 
I had a (relatively cheap) folding table I was thinking of putting it on but I don’t know… I’m very likely going to have to use something more sturdy. Or find a sheet of plywood (cut to size) to put on top of the table. I’m sure the legs could hold it up, it’s the (plastic) table itself I wouldn’t be too sure about. But for now, it’ll have to stay in the box it came in.
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