Higashyama Zoo

The zoo was quite an experience, and one we wouldn't care to do again. I was astounded at the neglect and abominable conditions in Nagoya's zoo. I guess I figured that in a country that cares so much for its environment, that country would take as much care with the animals. I was wrong. If you look at the cages, they are all very small, rusted metal and concrete; on occasion you will see a random tree branch lying on the ground. Any and all of the enclosures that have water are probably the most appalling. I am sad to say the water was so filthy that you couldn't see through it, no matter how deep. The polar bears have a green tinge to their fur from the algae growing in their tanks. In Seattle, the seals are very playful and always swimming around, not so in Nagoya's zoo. The seals were laying out either half-way or completely and not even moving around at all, and no, it wasn't because of the heat, as it was a relatively cool day in October that we went. If I was a seal, I wouldn't want to be swimming, breathing, and drinking that sludge either. I have never considered myself to be an animal rights activist, after seeing this atrocity, I can see why people are motivated to such extremes.

The only highlight to our zoo trip was the amusement park that is attached to it. The Ferris wheel was huge and one of the pictures shows my brainless son hanging half his body out of it waving at me!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We won't be making a big turkey dinner this year, there is both good and bad in that. Good, because I don't have to spend the entire day cooking and cleaning! Bad, because we will miss having all that yummy food! We are going to a Thanksgiving Dinner that Boeing is holding at the Hilton Hotel in the evening. It promises to be a great meal, and I don't have to clean up!

One reason we won't be celebrating is that it is obviously not a holiday here in Japan and Eric has to work and the kids have school. The second reason is that they don't have turkeys in Japan. We would have to order it from the foreign buyers club. The cost of a 12# turkey is about $45, and 20# turkey is about $75!!!! Can you imagine? There is no turkey worth that much money! I will make some pies and have a chicken with mashed potatoes that weekend.

We will be missing you all and missing our day of celebrating that we usually have with Kevin and Tammy and other family members when possible. Eat some turkey for us!

Universal Studios, Osaka, Japan

The Golden Temple

Shopping at Kiyomizudera

The Golden Temple

Yes, it is really covered in gold! Apparently it used to be a shogun's summer vacation home hundreds of years ago. In 1408, after Yoshimitsu's death, it was turned into a Zen temple. Was breathtaking in it's surroundings and the gardens were beautiful to walk through. These places are supposed to be even more beautiful in the spring with the cherry blossoms blooming.

Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto

Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto with Eiichi

We had a wonderful guide to two of the beautiful temples of Kyoto. His name was Eiichi and his daughter Marina, they are friends of Rachel's; their son was an exchange student at the Stuart's house. We drove 2 hours to meet him while he drove one hour to meet us. We started at 10am and finished around dark, about 6:30pm. We started our tour at the Kiyomizudera Temple. The crowds were impressive and I am so glad Eiichi knew where to go! The temple entrance is "guarded" by two impressive statues. One mouthing "Ah" and one "Mmm". This is the beginning and ending letters of their alphabet. Alright you Christians out there, sound familiar? (Alpha and Omega?) Interesting....

It was fascinating to watch the Japanese do all the ritual stuff (washing hands before coming to Buddha with requests, writing the prayers on wooden boards and hanging them outside the temple, putting money at the Buddha's feet, rubbing the Buddha for luck...). This made me realize how truly blessed we are to have a savior in Jesus Christ, not a golden statue. It is one thing to read about other religions in books, I think it was very eye-opening to watch it in person.

The buildings and outlying areas were beautiful and impressive to see how they were built so long ago and still remain. The shopping area (market style) was a whole lot of fun!