RANDOMNESS I

Here's a bunch of RANDOM pics from Golden Week. They really don't make much sense together, but apart - they're pretty fun/silly/interesting! Enjoy




SCORE - Ladies only! Is that me?
Looking good at the Aquarium.
Making Okonomiyaki in Osaka
KAT-TUN....YESSSSSS!!!
Princess for the day!

Alright, we made the right train!
Don't you just HATE having to bring omiyage back to your schools?
Can I bring it home with me?
Almost got it!
I don't know what this is, but I want a picture with it!
Taking a break!
Ramen - Anytime, anywhere!
Hmmm....interesting!
WOW.....beer AND dessert! Yummy!!!
Oh, Yeaaaah! The Red Dragon guys at USJ
What to get? What to get?
Wouldn't it be fun to live in this building?
Hurry up - only 30 seconds left!!!

Putting on a show!
Watch where your petting' child!

RANDOMNESS II

These are a bunch of RANDOM shots from Golden Week.
They really have no theme, but there still fun/silly/interesting.

So, here ya go - Enjoy!

Shanna being creative - Good Job
Here's Beth and all her new friends! :)
Nice, huh?
Can you BELIEVE they have a Cafe du Monde in Kyoto Station and I was able to buy beignets there??? oh - yes!
Watch out now, bowling in Kyoto!!!
After walking ALL day EVERY day, my poor feet hurt SO bad :(
Mmmmm.....Green Tea/Kit Kat Milkshake and Orea Cheesecake - Good stuff!!!
We're not new here....NAH.....we fit RIGHT in!!! btw - Where the hell are we?
"Get lots of Girlfriends!" Yeah, I think that's what he said.



OMG OMG OMG. Hello Kitty OVERload, but I was SO happy! Omiyage I brought back from Nara - Candy Deer Droppings. Mmm Mmm Good!


Beth and her HUGE Flower!
Shanna and her HUGE flower!
Afternoon snack!
Cuteness! You'd think we'd feel bad taking pictures of other peoples kids on vacation, but NAH - they're just TOO cute!
Lucky Bear!
Kate and Jo waiting to get the Party Started!
Strike a pose - VOUGE!

Golden Pavilion

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple formally known as Rokuonji. In 1397 construction started on the Golden Pavilion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimitsu's death in 1408. The Golden Pavilion functions as shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha and is covered in gold leaf. The present building dates from 1955 as the pavilion was burnt by a fanatic monk in 1950. Crazy, ne?

Shirasagijo (White Heron Castle)

Himeji is most famous for its magnificent castle, Himeji Castle, widely considered to be Japan's most beautiful surviving feudal castle.

The main donjon consists of seven floors, five of which are visible. The tower is strengthened by two wood columns that run from the fifteen meter stone foundation to the roof. The eastern and western towers consists of four floors, three of which are visible. The northwestern tower has five floors, only three of which are visible from outside.



In fact it derives it name White Heron Castle partly from the fact that it appears as a bird ready for flight. The craftsmen, particularly those under Terumasa's reign, were able to transform the basic elements of nature -- stone, wood, and water -- into a refined and elegant structure.

The architects of Himeji also employed contemporary castle technology so as to make Himeji near impenetrable. The fifteen-meter sloping stone walls make it impossible for the approaching enemy to view the castle directly from the base of the walls. The wandering passages of the castle are intended to confuse an enemy unfamiliar with the layout. The 84 gates are very heavily fortified by wood and stone as well as very small so as to make it difficult to move a great many men through at one time. There are openings (ishiotoshi) in the walls of the main complex for throwing stones and scalding water. There are also holes (sama) from which rifles and arrows can be shot. Passages connecting the four towers allow easy access and mobility. There is a residence for the lord of the castle, as well as a kitchen and a storehouse for supplies. The integration of nature and technology in Himeji Castle creates a physical and psychological barrier designed to confuse and exhaust the enemy.