Day 10 July 15

Sorry for the absence over the past few days. While they were full ones, youth hosteling and on-your-feet traveling doesn't readily support blogging. Nonetheless here I, I mean we, are. I know that Nancy has e-mailed with you recently about flights and times. Important to know as when you begin closing your day tomorrow, we'll be beginning our travels home.

It has been a wonderful trip. Our hosts and hostesses have been wonderful and your children have been wonderful guests. Enjoy these snippets of information and pictures of our travels over the last few days.

-from Day 7 and 8, July 12 and 13

City of Kyoto. Enjoyed the accommodations of the Utano Youth Hostile (UTH).


UTH was our home-base for travels to a number of temples and shrines over two days. We enjoyed strolling the streets and the wonders of Kinkakuji (The Golden) Temple,







Ryoanji Temple,









and Ninnaji Temple throughout day one.












Day two, we traveled to see Yasakanoto (view the tallest pagoda in Japan)











and Kiyomizu Dera Temple with views of the mountains and the city. While at each, the children experienced practices and beliefs for cleansing their hands, their bodies and their souls by washing from fountains, drinking from them too or even lighting incense.










-from Day 9, July 14

Amidst torrential downpours that closed schools and businesses and delayed buses, we left the hostile with some luggage in tow and headed for the train to Nara. While in Nara, we shopped some more and traveled to the Nara Deer Park (an anticipated favorite of the kids)





and to Dodaiji Temple, home of the largest bronze buddha (my apologies for mistakenly telling you it was wood).




We all enjoyed a traditional Japanese lunch, continued to dodge the rain and visited a new museum installation (the name currently escapes me) that spotlights the 1,300 year Anniversary of Nara, the first capital of Japan. Amazing, 1,300 years old.

Lastly we boarded and in one case, missed trains for travels back to Yokkaichi. Arriving about 7:30, we unpacked, took a breath and enjoyed some vegetable tempura, stew, rice and tofu soup. It was all delicious, especially the avocado and cayenne pepper tempura.