Eveything Else

I can't get anything to work here- bridge opens, but photoshop won't, then the internet won't work and I just don't have time for this nonsense anymore so I'm just going to write out a bunch of entries (see below) and then I will be posting pictures as I go along the rest of the trip if and when I am able to again. I have to apologize for the colors in my pictures and just the overall terrible layout of this blog- it's disgusting and I am sorry. I have limited time to futz around with these things here- and my energy levels are usually extremely low when I do get the time to make an entry- thanks for understanding ;)

NARA
Nara to play with deer...actually we went there to visit the Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. First we registered for Katsura Imperial Castle in Kyoto. You can not visit this palace with out first making a reservation and you also must be at least 20 years of age. Then we headed to Nara on the train, waved to hysterical school children who were, once again thrilled with us for some reason (Annie and I seem to get a little extra attenion- we are told this is due to our blond hair...). First we went to Todai-ji to see the Great Buddha and then walked through the path of 3,000 stone lanterns to see Kasuga Taisha Shrine. We ended the day with a visit to the Large Pagado- each level represents a natural element 1. eart, 2. water, 3. wood, 4. air/ wind, 5. sky. This shrine is a reliquary shrine and I believe we were told holds some of the bones from Buddha...

OSAKA
Were assigned a group project this day- walking around Osaka taking note of Activity, the Contmporary Vs. Historical, and just stuff I guess in general haha. This was the day I actually got to meet up with my Friend Yuko. It was so great to see her and I feel so lucky that she was exceptional host and showed not only me, but my friends all over Osaka! I learned more hanging out with her than I probably did the entire trip put together!For example- Matsuzaka Beef is better thank Kobe!!!! We rode a ferris wheel located on top of a department store and got an amazing view of the city- n fact no one else was up there- it was incredible- it was as if we had the whole city to ourselves!

HIROSHIMA
Ise was canceled this day becuase of the wether- it has been raining a lot despite the fact that we were told the rainy season would not begin until after we eft- actually it's been raining a LOT!!! So we looked up the weather elsewhere and learned that it would be sunny by the afternoon in Hiroshima and decided to take (an extrememly long) day trip there. In addition we would make our way to Miryajima Island to see the famous Floating Torri- the "Itsukushima Shrine." Once in Hiroshima we were bombarded with school children excited to interview us and get our autograpohs and practice their english. It was overwhleming- Annie, Audry and me thought we might not make it to the museum becuase we every step we were stopped by school children who wanted to talk to us and take pictures with us- it's so weird! Hiroshima is otherwise an emotional and intense place needless to say. The Shrne for the children was beautiful- there was a group of kids that were actually singing by it when we got there which was really moving. The 1,000 paper crances story is incredibly sad, as well as the indiviudal acocunts that are recorded through drawings and writings seen in the museum.
Next we took a ferry to Miryajima to see the torri which is incredible- The sea here is beautiful- the ride was so refreshing after a long and somber day. There are deer here as well, like in Nara- everywhere. you can walk right up to them and pet them- but I was over that by the time we got there since Nara had deer everywhere. I wondered around the town here by myself for a whie. Again, this was great for so many reasons- I really need a lone time here- traveling in a group BLOWS BIG TIME, and also there was NO ONE around when we got to the town. Everyone had left the island for the day so I had the entire village to explore completely on my own. Sunset was the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen- the sun went down right behind the mountains across the way beyond the water. Getting all the way back to Kyoto, to the hotel, was exhasting. It was a four hour ordeal, but it was definitely worth it.

ISE
We went to Ise to visit the Jingu Shrine which is located in th woods on a winding hill. No one can go inside the shrine, but you can walk along the path and stand in front of it and pray to the Shinto gods, and basically just stroll along and appreciate nature and the structures simplicity and relation to it's environment. There was a soft rain that day, the buildings were of course incredibly brilliant- it was important here to consider what is permanent/ impermanent. The shrine is all wood, and there is no paint. decoration- it looks as if it naturally belongs in this spot. The roof matches the green canopy of the trees and the columns of the structure mimic tree trunks. The sound of the wind, water and rocks under your feet change throughout the walk and add an element of serenity.

EXTRA DAY IN KYOTO
We were supposed to head to Yokohamm this day, however we (Annie, Audry and myself) decided to stay in Kyoto for the day and we were lucky enough to have Yuko join us once again. First we started the day at Katsura to fulfill our reservation. This was a very gorgeous and well kept imperial palace. The landscaping can only be described by going there- I didn't photograph this place well- I was just tring to take it in for a change, but I bought a really great book to share with people when I return. I really wanted to visit Katsura, because my favorite instructor seemed very excited about it. It was visited by a famous German architect who raved about its beauty which in turned developed its popularity in Europe.
Next we met with Yuko back at the hotel and she took us to an incredible market area called Nishike Ichiba. I think we are luckier than we even realize to have had the opportunity to travel around the city with Yuko- we never would have seen this market had she not taken us there. I don't think I saw one other tourist anywhere in this area. The food stands were incredible- things I have never seen before and beautiful little shops that I spent a ton of money in buying gifts for everyone. Next we visited the antique area in search of Metsuke for my mom. There were some really cool things in this area, but we only found one shop with metsuke and they weren't that great and Yuko thought they might be overpriced and I agreed. So unfortunately I still have not found metsuke, but I am hoping to come across some when we return to Tokyo for our last couple of days. After we were starving and stopped for tofu and noodles. Kyoto is known for it's tofu and veggies, apparently because the water is so good there. I can attest to the tofu- it was OISHII (DELICIOUS)!!! We ended the day heading back through the market area and then off to Yokohamma to rejoin the rest of the group.

TOKYO GROUP PROJECT DAY
Another group project was given to us yesterday. We were sent to different train stations on the Yamanote line in Tokyo to study the differences and activity that takes place in each- a sort of mapping excersise in preparation for our studio project. We were sent to: Nishi-Nippori, Tapata, Komogome, Sugamo, Otsuka, Ikeburo, and finally Mejiro. We were each given a disposable camera and told to take pictures of each place. In the evening all the groups met back at the studio were we presented our work to each other in the form of Renga or Link Poetry.

TODAY
We went on a brief walking tour of Yokohama which was completely uninteresting and then given the rest of the afternoon to work on our studio project and explore on our own. I stopped for beef on a stick in the open market that is across from our hotel. We also stopped by an art store where I spent, yet again, a small fortune buying gifts. I found some great stuff here for Eric and Joel and I can't wait to get home and give out all this great crap I am buying!!! I have been spending the rest of the afternoon cursing out the keyserver because I can't get photoshop to work, which of course means I can't post any pictures today or do anything else really except check my email which really blows. I should probably head to the studio now anyway however, to discuss with my instructors on how to proceed with my mapping project.

Hope you enjoy this incredibly long summary of the last week or so. I am loving Japan, but frustration with being away from the conveniences of home and missing Eric and my kitties is really starting to settle in. It is hard being around the same people all day long everyday under rather strenuous circumstances. We often joke about how we don't want to go home hating anyone....I sincerely hope that doesn't happen ;)