Just kidding! Found some photos of November. They will be up shortly...
So anyways, here's what you missed in in December. Our friends Eric and Charlie visited! Nick was just getting back from his short jaunt in MN so I met Eric and Charlie in Osaka. We spent one day there, then moved on to Kyoto and Nara for a day, then home to Hiroshima and Iwakuni for 2 days. On their last day we went to Miyajima. For a quick synopsis, watch the video below or on YouTube here- although the music has been removed due to copywrite stuff. For more details, some of the pictures are also included after the video with descriptions of what is going on.
Osaka: Day 1- As we wandered around we came across this arcade and I introduced them to my favorite video game- the Taiko drum simulator!!
Sometimes you eat dinner and realize mid-meal that there is a penis staring at you...
Charlie tries an adult juice-box containing shochu (essentailly, watered down sake)- he wasn't a big fan.
Osaka at night
I spy someone I know in there!
This one's called "The Full Asian Experience"
Then we stumbled into an Izakiya (Japanese Pub). Being a Thursday night, it was D.E.A.D. But our bartender was fun and we played Connect Four with him! (He was really good.)
He was also good at Foosball- he took on all 3 of us and still won!
Day 2: We started the day by visiting the Osaka Castle.
Eric is a little too tall for this country...
The view of Osaka from the top of the castle!
Lunch- The best ramen in Japan?
It was pretty delicious!!
Then it was on to Kyoto!
Here is Charlie outside of Sanjusangendo Hall- the hall of 1001 statues of Kannon.
(No pictures allowed inside.)
Then Kiyomizu Temple
Here is Eric, failing the love test. He will have a difficult time finding love (or so they say).
Drinking the Kiyomizu (clear water) for health and longevity...out of communal water cups lol.
Kyoto at night. You can see Kyoto Tower there on the left!
Nap time!
Finally- insturctions on how to use the squatty potty! Would bave been helpful 6 months ago though!
Day 3: Nara
Feeding the 'wild' deer who bowed for the food!
I don't think this photo quite captures how GIGANTIC this was.
The Great Buddha of Nara.
They say if you can pass through this hole you will surely reach enlightenment. Can I fit?
Yep!
Enlightenment- achieved.
Found another temple nearby where some monks were doing their midday worship! Here's a panorama video of Nara from up on the hill with their chanting in the background.
Riding the trains...
A quick ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) and we met up with Nick in Hiroshima. It was gross and rainy but here the A-bomb memorial & Peace Park.
Hiro had its Christmas display going ("Dreamination") so we looked at a few but our backpacks were really heavy and it was wet outside.
Warming up with some cold and spicy tsukemen! Oishii!
So sleepy on the train ride home.
Day 4- Chillin' in Iwakuni!
Had to get some Giyoza of course!
Day 5: Miyajima!
Tight quarters on the train.
Trying octopus! Chewy...
Hiked up to the top of the Mt. Misen!
Ah, but all good things must come to an end and our friends had to leave. Here are a few morerandom photos from the rest of the month.
Here's Nick in cast iron Heaven while Christmas shopping at an outdoor gear place called, I kid you not- Asses' Ridge. Love it!
And one time, the Vikings made it to the playoffs so we all woke up at the crack of dawn to watch the game. And everyone wore pink turtlenecks.
At a Japanese friend's house for an early Christmas party.
On Christmas, we celebrated the Japanese way- with fried chicken and strawberry shortcake...although we never actually ate the shortcake.
New Years! Cheers to a great 2012 and looking forward to an awesome 2013!!
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