Today we came from Shin-Osaka to Nara. We took two trains, each about a half an hour. We woke up early in the morning, and I ate takoyaki doused in takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise. It doesn't sound very appetizing, but it really is good. I swear. But this is coming from the girl who likes pig cheeks and boiled intestine.
The trains didn't take very long and we arrived around lunch so we browsed around a local shopping arcade where I enjoyed some hot udon with everyone in our group except for the "three stooges." It was a nice and quiet lunch.
The rest of the day we spent walking. And walking and walking and walking. And running from deer. The temple and shrine we visited were busy and bustling with tourists and locals alike and we had surprisingly okay weather, which is to say, no rain. I had two separate ice cream cones on the way to the temple and then as we walked a solid fifteen or so minutes to the shrine, I again bought an ice cream, this time strawberry. The first was at a busy shop with many deer and tourists swarming about. The second place was high up on the hill we climbed. The entire park that we visited (as there is no other word for it) was staggered on a large hill, where you walked through many pastures filled with hungry greedy deer, whom according to Shinto religion, are the messengers of god. This meant you could not stop them from chewing on your clothes or biting you. It also meant many people would try and run, and nearly be mauled by a herd of deer.
After the deer incident, we went back to our hotel, which we had dropped our bags off at before we went off to lunch. The hotel that we are staying at is a traditional styled Japanese hotel with tatami mat flooring and futons for bedding. From our window we can see a single blooming plum tree over the many hills of roofing.
Our dinner consisted of many different dishes, all Japanese. It was Amazing. My favorite was the tempura battered cucumber, which is startling because I hate cucumber. It just proves that I will eat about anything deep fried in oil. A true American. And finally, for desert, I had for the last time today, a scoop of strawberry ice cream.
Nara Koufuku Temple Pagoda
Nara Toudaiji
Enjoying the mochi
Nara Toudaiji Big Buddha
Beautiful!
Hans is putting the prayer candle.
Koumokuten wooden statue.
Kamau made it through!
Mysterious deer at Kasuga Shrine.
Lanterns at Kasuga Shrine
Beautiful plum blossoms.
Walking in the Shrine as we appreciate nature.
Breathtaking plum trees.
Tyrie is enjoying Hana-mi (flower viewing)
Traditional Japanese Inn in Nara.
Having a tea time!
Dressed in traditional Yukata. We are ready to go to dinner.
Kaiseki Dinner at the inn.
Boys are ready to sleep in the traditional beds (futon).
Kamau is trying ALL the food.
Megan got it all figured out.
A single blooming plum tree from our room.
