The second day it was up to us to decide what to do in Osaka, I truly thought I would just hang out and do nothing special; however this was the best day of the trip. I switched from group to group, till finding those who wanted to go to the aquarium. My brother ended up having his own separate adventure, although I tried to find him so he could see the aquarium. Shannon ended up guided our group of fourteen to the subway using her Japanese language expertise and experience riding them last year. Once we made it to the subway we continued to follow her closely fearful of getting lost so far from the hotel. Out from the subway we could see our first destination, the worlds largest ferris wheel of 97, from it we could also see the aquarium, ocean and winding highways. After a stunning seventeen minute ride on the slowly rotating ferris wheel we stopped to take more pictures of a ninja mannequin. Little did we notice that a real ninja had snuck up on us while drawing his sword. (seriously! Ok, he came to show us the Ninja Funhouse of Illusion! Nifty title I made up.) It was really cool but all mystery was lost going as a group. After hanging out in the mall we gathered together to go to the Aquarium, it was amazing, no photo could do it justice even video couldn't capture the magnificence of the creatures within. That's why I wish I was able to find my brother earlier in the day. (although a year later I found that my camera had an aquarium setting.) After eating we couldn't find John again but everyone was ready to head back and could care less about leaving him because had disgusted everyone on the trip with his horrible habits and his attempts for attention. I flipped a coin within my conscience and decided that even though no one liked John I couldn't leave someone who kept count of the whole group through our whole trek, because of his own fear of getting horribly lost. So, I found my way back with him and got a free subway ride out of it, I owe my success to the subway map we got from our guide before we left, with the little mark on it and every other map I was able to find on the way.

Wait, that's not it! When I got back I had time for another excursion, and since I still couldn't find my brother I decided that since Nakita wanted to go to the ferris wheel I could take her there. Shannon and Sara wanted to go again, and also as visit the department stores, so we took the subway north under Shannon's guidance, we didn't find our destination as quickly and easily as before, but I do enjoy wandering aimlessly having someone else guide us. Finally we made it to the correct exit to find enormous buildings and a bustling crowd more like I suppose Tokyo would be like. The department stores in Japan are huge! With a whole floor dedicated to one group of products it's like stacking full stores together in one tower, can't find what you need, well just go up another escalator. Unfortunately the prices were pretty average, if not more costly, so after browsing we took the subway to the ferris wheel again. On the subway back to the hotel we noticed a peak in activity, all the teenagers of the area came onto the subway with us and we knew that they were headed to the mall by our hotel to hang out and party. I finally ran into my brother that night, caught up, bought some used videos and went to the 100 yen shop. When we arrived back at the hotel my brother found that the group that had left him behind had just found their way back. It's too bad they left behind someone that could have led them back five hours sooner.