March 22, 2010
11th Day of Travel – NARA
So we woke early today. There were two reasons for this. The first being my relatives wanted to go to HIROSHIMA, and the second being that Ben and I were going to NARA.
I was really happy to be going to NARA. It really is a beautiful place. Traveling there took about 40 minutes on the rapid train. Even the journey was beautiful.
Getting out of the train station, I couldn’t help but notice how much construction there was going on around the place! It was unrecognizable to me. We decided to take a cab to get to the temple as soon as possible.
Arriving to the temple early, we decided to casually walk towards it. There were little shops everywhere. They were selling all kinds of different souvenirs. Oh yeah, and there were also a lot of deer. Seeing all the kids going in from school trips, Ben and I opted to just travel around to the other temples and shrines that were surrounding the temple first.
It was really weird for me. I didn’t recognize anything at all. Aside from one of the shrines, I didn’t know where anything was anymore. This was a very foreign feeling to me. I typically know small places like this very well, especially after going there about 3 – 4 times.
Walking around, we found a lot of photographers moving about in the area. I was impressed with the subject matter that they were choosing. The equipment that they were using wasn’t too shabby either!
[Side note: This is 東大寺 (TODAIJI temple), but that is actually just a nickname. The real name is: 金光明寺 (KOMYOJI), thanks goes out to 岡本章先生 for that information.]
Finishing up with the shrines, we moved to the main “Deer Temple” TODAIJI! It was just as impressive as it was the last time I was there. Ben was not that impressed though, and we made it through the temple a lot faster than I had anticipated. He was thinking that it was just another temple.
Hungry from our little tour, we went to a food court area. Finding nothing that interested us we walked back towards the station. Along the way we found a shopping arcade, we decided to head on in. Although, after looking at the food, I just wasn’t interested.
Then we passed a “Gusto’s Family Diner”, and yes, we stopped and ate there. I thought the food was horrible, but Ben said, "It passes my test". He ordered Binbinba, a Korean dish, and I ordered a hamburger set.
Finishing there, we went to the station. Along the way, there was a honey ice cream vendor. My friend Ian, from the U.S. and former EPOK Student, told us to try it if we could find it. Thus, we had some honey ice cream. It was delicious, but the honey flavor was a little light.
Going back to the hostel was uneventful. Though we did have a mission to do after that. We had to go back to OKAYAMA to drop off some luggage and pay for rent. It was a long journey, and we were hoping for a little RAMEN from a great place that I know.
Unfortunately, there was just no time for anything. We dropped off the luggage at the dorm, and quickly made our way back to the train station. Making it back with about 10 minutes to spare, we went to McDonald’s for food. Ben was finally able to try the TERIYAKI burger that I was always talking about!
Then was the long trip home. It felt like it took forever. Walking back to the hostel from the station, we passed a YAKINIKU joint that served liqueur. We decided to go in for a few drinks and some BBQ meat before going back to the hostel.
After 20 some-odd sticks of meat and four drinks, we went back to the hostel to find my relatives waiting. There I realized that I forgot to bring the Cheese my mom brought me with me! DAMMIT!!! Well, I guess I will ship it… sigh….
Well, tomorrow we go to OSAKA!! Can’t believe how quick this trip is going! Stay with me!
More photos from this trip can be found HERE!
The rest of the photos of NARA can be found HERE!
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