Voyage Junkie

My friend Audrey and I go bananas at purikura in Okazaki.

Because one can never have too much purikura , here are shots taken yesterday at an enormous mall that we went to with Mari.  It's so much fun!  I'd like my own booth installed in my house, please. Purikura One: Mari chose this background. The Japanese on it says " Malera ni kita yo ," which can be loosely translated as "kickin' it at Malera." Purikura Two: another background chosen by Mari.  I am responsible for the stars in the corners. Purikura Three: I chose this background.  I like the Chesire Cat appearance.  I also went a bit loopy decorating it; I believe "danger" says it all. Purikura Four: I think Mari chose this background.  I definitely put the hat on Matt, though. Purikura Five: a quick and hasty background chosen by me.  Who doesn't love a juicy apple?  Mari decorated this one, and quickly made it the background on her new iphone. Purikura Six: perhaps the most absurd, also the...

Today we went to the big city! It was truly amazing and awe-inspiring, for both historical sights and incredible numbers of people. First up: Asakusa, where we visited the Senso-ji . Also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple, it was completed in 645, making it seriously old. To the right is the main gate. There are two statues in built into the sides of the gate, if you look closely. One is a Thunder God, named Raijin , and one is a Wind God, named Fuujin . Those have been rebuilt time and again since the gate was first created, due to fires and other such disasters. I liked the bright color palette of this temple: everything is red, gold, and black. Matt and I decided to be super-touristy, since everyone was doing it. Why not? So we buckled in for a Buddhist experience. First, the purification process: 1. Dip water with the ladle (you can see me doing that in the first picture) 2. Pour water over the left hand, then the right, pour out the extra water and turn th...