michael, sondra, and a serious case of wanderlust: Deer, Temples, and some Pottery in Nara

We had the pleasure and honor of spending 2 nights in Nara at Naoki's father's house. After realizing the party was pretty much over in Kyoto, we decided to head over to Nara a little bit earlier than planned to partake in some artistic endeavors with Naoki's dad. Our first order of business was pottery!

Naoki, Michael, and I ruminating whether Michael should include a divider in his "key bowl"

While enjoying some beer and Kill Bill, Vol. 1 blasting in the background, the four of us relaxed over some clay and friendly conversations.

Michael's work is on the left (apparently he was also blessed with a natural the gift of pottery master), and my "artistic" piece is on the right.

Naoki's dad must have read my mind, because the next morning after a 3 mile run around the neighborhood in Nara, he made us a kick-ass American-style breakfast, complete with toast, jam, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and black coffee. It was nice to take a break from all the fish and rice for a meal! (Unfortunately, that meal was not documented so you will just have to believe me!)

After our hearty breakfast, the 4 of us took off on a sightseeing tour of Nara. Michael and Naoki promised me that we would see the infamous Nara Deer at Nara Park, and boy, was I not disappointed. For 150 Yen, you can buy about 10 large round crackers to feed the deer. The deer have become very dependent upon these crackers, so much that it would be most appropriate to remove the "ers" from the name (if you catch my drift). These small deer are called "sika deer: and are regarded as messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion and roam the grounds freely.

My Nara Deer crackers bring all the deer to the yard, and their like it's better than yours... (I really sang that song to them)

Here is Michael with his new pal. This one really reminded me of Lucas with antlers.

This unofficial guardian of Todai-ji.

Inside Todai-ji, you can find the most magnificent and large Buddha Vairocana in the entire world! Naoki's dad gave us some history of the temple and showed us how to properly thank and pray to Buddha (two claps and a bow).Todai-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more about it here.

Buddha is 52 Feet high and this photo does not do it justice!

As we were trying to leave the park, the deer reminded me that I still had some food hidden in my bag and followed me all the way down the street to give it to them in exchange for some pets and bows.

After a long day of sightseeing, Naoki's dad treated us to a multi-course traditional Japanese dinner, complete with sashimi tuna, different types of tofu (the sesame tofu was my favorite) and a new dish to Michael and I, shabu-shabu.

The sesame tofu is the grayish one in the bottom center.

Here we are feeling so full and satisfied that we had to turn down the somen noodles.

The next morning, we met Naoki's aunt, cousin and his cousin's daughters. They were all very sweet and the girls were a little shy of the foreigners! Before we left, Michael and I each made a drawing for Naoki's dad to thank him for being such a gracious host. We have already invited Naoki and his parents to Florida and NC, so get ready Moms and Dads!