Japan: Travel

Wow. So tonight as I was uploading pics to my laptop I realized how much has happened that I haven't blogged about. It is a seriously insane amount. I will try to share as much as possible, and maybe do two blogs over the next couple weeks, but as you can see, I'm not great at updating the blog, so I'll do my best. I'll start way back at the end of August, after Shan left. I'll share a few stories, but for some events, pictures only are going to have to do =).

At the end of August I went home for my sisters wedding. WOOOOAH. Big event, let's put it in the blog. I know that's not Japan, but let's be real, it deserves some attention. It was my last chance to see everyone, before spending my last 7 months in Japan. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous, and the yard we use to run around in, like crazy children do, made the most beautiful scenery for the most stunning bride and groom =). I wish I could have spent more time with everyone, but I was thankful I was able to be there. I left most of the photography to the photographers, so I don't have many actual wedding pics, but here's just a few with the girls, my twinnie, and my Steve <3.

Rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding

So happy <3. Super cheesin.

beautiful bride gettin' her hairs done; and all the brides- mades at the salon

So good to see Krysten and Dan at the wedding,

and can't wait to be a part of theirs next year!

Another example of awesome things that have happened since my last post: I went to a Hanshin Tigers game. Let me tell you, Japanese baseball games are energetic. In America, fans cheer when their cued to yell "CHARGE", when the bases are loaded and the best (or worst) batter is up to the plate, or when an Ump makes a god-awful call that EVERYONE KNOWS was the wrong call. At this game I went to, people were cheering the entire time. Cheering, clapping their hands, clapping their hanshin tiger sticks together (whatever those things are called)...and when a big play would happen, it just got louder. But the cheering never really stopped. In place of the 7th inning stretch, everyone stayed in the stands and blew up a long, ballon-clown-shaped-like balloon. At a certain point of a song that everyone sang together, they let the balloons go, and they whistled through the air. Actually pretty cool to see, thousands of balloons being let go at one time.

Oh yeah, another MAJOR event that's happened I haven't blogged about....HONG KONG. I didn't want to spend 11 months in Japan without taking at least one trip to another nearby country, and when I realized that a flight to Hong Kong is less expensive than a Shinkansen ticket to Tokyo, my decision was made. Hong Kong is an extremely awesome, beautiful, trendy city. The skyline is remarkable, buildings of all sorts of colors and technology galore. I saw a building that had lights on its side that were moving to make it look like there was a person swimming up the side of the building. Unbelievable. Food was cheap and amazing, taxis were cheap, subways were super tech'd-out, and for the 4 days I was there, only once did I come across anyone who didn't speak English. It took only about 20 minutes to get from one side of the island to another, from the downtown metropolitan area to the seaside ocean breeze and blue water. I have absolutely everything good to say about Hong Kong, and hope sometime in life I get to go back. Fabulous place to visit, and fabulous people living there. Special thanks to my brother-in-law's buddy for showing me around and giving me a place to crash!

View from where I stayed!

Stanley seaside <3 Had lunch on the bay...and checked out Stanley Market.

Dim Sum =) so delicious... and soccer fields inside a horse race track

Above is lunch one day...dim sum. It is so delicious, definitely a food I'll be trying to find at some good foreign Cantonese or Chinese restaurants when I get back to America. The pic above to the right is at a horse race track, but when races aren't being held it's turn it into a giant soccer complex. Awesome view. To the right and below is at "The Peak". It's a famous spot in Hong Kong for it's good city views =), both daytime and night views. Also some decent shopping there as well.

I'm pretty sure this had something to do with Shakespeare...it was an awesome and beautiful display.

On the left: Awesome art near the Art Museum. On the right: Stanley Market.

I also visited "Ladies Market" in Kowloon, but didn't take pictures because it was raining. On this trip I learned a bit about how I feel about markets...sure you can bargain and sure they are a neat experience, but it's a little overwhelming to me; it's nearly impossible to "window shop" without constantly being bothered, and bargaining isn't always fun. But nonetheless, they are great Markets and I did come home with some great finds. It certainly didn't change my awesome impression of Hong Kong. If I ever go back, I will be sure to find time to make it to Macau also, which is really easy to get to from Hong Kong.

In October I went to Nara, the prefecture which was the capital of Japan before both Tokyo and Kyoto. Deer flock both the streets and city parks, unafraid of people and rather insistent on getting food from you. I did feed and pet many deer, and even tried to take a selfie with a couple ;-). Besides the awesome interaction with wildlife, I did see a couple really great Temples and Shrines.

The crackers I am feeding to the deer on the right and below were bought from a little old lady on the sidewalk, with a cooler and a crate of crackers she had for tourists to buy.

So many deer!!!

Entrance Gate to Todaiji

Todaiji Temple. This may be my favorite temple I've seen so far in Japan. It is the world's largest wooden structure, and is actually 33% smaller than the original temple. Inside Todai-ji is a 53-foot tall gold plated cast bronze Buddha statue. It is seriously so magnificently enormous, I was basically awestruck. The length of it's ear only, is 8.33 feet....just to give you an idea. There is a beam inside that has a hole through it the size of one of Buddha's nostrils; they say it is goodluck if you successfully make it through the hole. There was a line, so I didn't try...but maybe next time =).

Stunning!

To the left is how big Buddha's hand is. And then there was this guy. He helps to heal. You rub on him whatever part of your own body hurts, then you rub that part of your own body. Not sure what the poncho is about...

After Todai-ji we visited Kasuga Taisha complex. Over 2000 toro, or lanters, line the pathways, and are only lit three times per year for some specific festivals. If I'm lucky I'll make it to the one in Febrauary or March. February's festival celebrates the start of spring.....really? spring? start? February? Oh when you're from Cleveland.... I'll have to see for myself as to whether this "Spring in February" thing is real or not ;-).

Finally on our way out of Nara before returning to the station, we visited Kofuku-ji Complex. To the left is Kofuku-ji Temple's Five-Story Pagoda. It was built in 1426, is an exact replica of the original which was built in 730 (but burnt down), and is the second tallest in Japan. To the right is Kokuhokan, or "National Treasure House", where a variety of National Treasure sculptures are housed. Both beautiful structures.

Alright that's all for now....as usual, I'll leave you with some extra photos of other awesome things that have been happening in my life =).

Attended a bowling event held by Toyota. Upper left is our team's winnings, to the right is the awesome Japanese style bowling shoes, and on the bottom is our team having a drink to celebrate!

Super Global NP (Nippon Paint) Pic. American (myself), Thai (left front), Taiwan (second from left, front), Chinese (Far Right), and Japanese (everyone else)....all in one department!!