Kyoto, Japan
We had another great day, but much more relaxing! First we stopped at our favorite bakery and then on to Starbuck's. Then we went to the train station and headed out to Nara. This was the capital of Japan before Kyoto and was the eastern most point on the Silk Road. It was very easy to figure out the train. The system is so awesome here that even we can get from point A to point B. Not to mention that people here are very eager to help.
It only took about 45 minutes to reach Nara. Then we hopped on a bus and we were at the Nara Park in 5 minutes. Ms. Becker and I are sooo proud of ourselves. It is such a sense of freedom and independence to just wing it. We really had no idea how all these things work, which can be a bit intimidating anywhere and especially when everything is in a completely different language. Yet together we have been getting where we want to go and doing what we want to do.
The first thing we experienced when got there were the deer. There are TAME deer everywhere ( they are known for this and the temples in Nara). As soon as we walked into the park a deer walked right up to us and we got to pet him. It was a bit disconcerting at first but exciting. Everywhere you look vendors are selling food to feed the deer, so we immediately bought some. Ms. Becker walked across the way to the park area to feed them so I could take pictures. Obviously not ready to feed the deer yet, I put the crackers into the pocket of my bag. Before I knew it, there was a paparazzi of deer around Ms. Becker and I was snapping away with my camera. Next thing I know I feel something going in my bag!! It was a deer, and he had his snout in my bag! Then he started biting, yes biting, my hip because he wanted the food! I was hysterical laughing but a bit freaked out. It reminds me of my cat who will make tiny little nips at my arm when he wants to be loved. But he was no kitty!
While Ms. Bisconti and I made our way from the bus to the park I immediately noticed all the deer wandering around. I got all giddy and excited like a little kid seeing something for the first time. It was awesome. I kept thinking my nephew would love this! As I crossed the street and made my way into the park, the deer began to come up to us hopeful we had food. I'll tell you what, it's definitely exciting but also a little nerve wracking to see the male deer with their huge antlers coming toward you.
There was a stall right next to us selling deer food, as Ms. Bisconti said. While we stood their snapping pictures in an excited frenzy, the deer food merchants began to swat away the deer and bang a loud stick to try and move them off to the grass. I got a little upset. Well little did I know those deer can be feisty little stinkers. After purchasing my deer food I slowly started walking to the park area. This slow walk became a brisk jog as the deer, who are not that much shorter than me really, started to crowd me. They wanted their food! One started to chew on my skirt while another bit my butt! I was apparently taking too long to toss out the food. I needed to get to higher ground. I made a run for the benches located across the way. Feeling slightly taller and a bit more intimidating, I tossed out the food from my new location. I couldn't stop laughing as the deer kept munching on my skirt and crowding my bench!
Biting Ms. Becker! That is just sketchy!
I took this picture because it reminds me of our cat, Cimba:
I don't have anymore guys!!!
Baby Bambi!!!
We then headed through the park to see the Todegji temple! It was really beautiful. Inside is a massive Buddha and several other figures.
Our favorite were some of the scarier ones that I was thinking of putting in my classroom in full scale size as a reminder to do your homework! Ha!
We also like the one outside. The Japanese are very superstitious and have all kinds of good luck charms and images to help with a variety of troubles. There was one sitting on a chair. You are supposed to rub a part of this statue's body and the corresponding part of your body to help ease any illness or pain in the area. Well, I really wanted to rub his head and tummy as those are my issues, but he was up too high. I did contemplate climbing up the statue it for a moment, but you all know me and climbing onto a high space...well, we know it would have been ugly. Oh, well. Ms. Becker suggested I take a picture and give it a try that way. We'll see.
We walked around a bit more and then decided to head back. We were both looking forward to our massages and dinner.
Right before our massage:
Okay, so they brought this to us right before we went in. They said something to us in Japanese that we did not understand (our fault, we should have learned more before leaving) and neither one of us have ever had a massage, so we had no clue. So what did we do? We just laughed and laughed because we did not know if it was a drink or something to put on before our treatment. Oops! Well it was tea. Embarrassing.
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