Hiyyaa....
This week’s adventure brought me to none other than Kyoto, Japan — a city full of tradition, charm, and, apparently… extreme summer heat! 😂 I wasn’t alone this time either — I had a great companion, a student from the Philippines, who’s also a friend of Budz (Their name is Keane and Zeus). Together, we came to join a special training session with Tanaka Sensei at Kyoto University, where we learned all about his Agent-Based Model (ABM).
Now, let me warn you — if you’ve never experienced summer in Japan, you’re in for a surprise. The heat was absolutely next-level. I’m talking about full-on sweat-the-moment-you-step-outside kind of heat! It honestly felt like we were being grilled alive under the Kyoto sun. Hahaha! #WannaStayIndoors 😅 But the excitement of learning and exploring kept us going. After all, it’s not every day you get a chance to train at one of Japan’s well-renowned universities!
Training Start!!!!!
When we arrived, we got the warmest welcome ever — Tanaka Sensei personally picked us up at our hotel near Kyoto Station. Since it’s the university’s summer break, the campus was quiet and peaceful, which made it the perfect setting for focused learning. And yes, training began right away! No time wasted.
At first, the Agent-Based Model looked totally intimidating — full of complex equations and even some Romanian-looking symbols that made us go, “Umm… what is this? (see the picture if you dont believe it)” 😅 But here’s the twist: Tanaka Sensei’s explanations were so clear and well-structured, it started to make sense piece by piece. He didn’t just explain the formulas — he told the story behind them, helping us understand how each agent behaves in the model and how it all fits together. Suddenly, what looked like rocket science started to feel kind of… fun?
The student from the Philippines also learned super quickly — we made a great team! The training was smooth and engaging the entire time, with Tanaka Sensei always there to support and guide us. Before we knew it, the week had flown by, and it was time to say goodbye. 😭 Honestly, the people in the lab were so kind and welcoming, it was hard to leave.
Kyoto Guide and Making Friends
During the training, I ended up getting really close to Keane and Zeus — two super fun and friendly people! Since I’ve been to Kyoto quite a few times already (honestly, I think I’ve visited almost every tourist spot here 😅), I naturally became their unofficial tour guide. Even though the summer heat was brutal, I really wanted them to enjoy Kyoto as much as I do. So, I took them around to some of the city’s must-visit places: the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its endless red torii gates, the stunning Kiyomizu-dera Temple with its sweeping views, the traditional charm of the Gion District, and of course, the delicious chaos of Nishiki Market.
Then came the weekend — and with it, a wild twist! Budz came all the way to Kyoto to hang out with us. And if you know Budz, you know what that means… BEER FRENZY! 🍻 We had such a blast catching up, laughing, and yes — we drank until 5 AM on Sunday morning. No regrets. Just good vibes, great company, and a slightly blurry but unforgettable night. HAHA!
All in all, despite the insane heat, this week in Kyoto was absolutely amazing — a perfect mix of learning, new friendships, and unforgettable memories. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity for such a valuable experience. I came for the training, but I’m going home with knowledge, connection, and a full heart. Until next time, Kyoto! 🌸✨
And for readers, thank you as always. Until next time too in the next story!
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