Friends visit recap

My good friends Megan and Greg visited last week and we did some great tourist stuff.  I'm just getting around to posting it now, they kept me and Callie busy so I had to have a week to recover :)  

We had lots of adventures including a trip to Nara Park and the Todaiji Temple where the Great Buddah is, a Bullet Train ride to Hiroshima and Peace Park, the Bird & Flower Park, the Osaka Castle and a Tigers Baseball game.  Scott was here for two days of their trip and then he left on the road so it was just me and Callie.  Megan and Greg were such a big help.  They were always there to offer a hand with Callie and got really good at pushing the stroller while I helped Callie walk everywhere!  Callie loved both of them and was saying each of their names by the time they left.  It was so nice to have good friends visit and I'm so glad they were able to make the trip.  

Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddah Hall.  We walked around forever trying to find this huge temple.  It was a very hot and humid day and once we finally got here we were relieved!

The Great Buddah

Callie about to crawl through the Lucky Pillar.  Legend says that if you can crawl through this pillar you will have good health.  I think I remember reading that it is the size of the nostril of the Great Buddah.  It took a little encouragement to get Callie started, but she loved it.  She even crawled through twice!  Looks like she will be having extra good health :)

She made it through!

Getting ready to feed the deer at Nara Park.  They are considered a National Treasure, not sure why, but they charge you money to feed them.  You would think the deer were starving the way they chased everyone around.  

Megan and Greg getting chased by the deer.  Megan even ended up getting bit on the butt!

Scott letting the deer know that he was out of food!  They didn't believe him and kept following him around and nudging his pockets!

 

Feeding the ducks and fish at the Bird & Flower Park

Our little duck buddies.  They followed us everywhere!

Greg feeding the Toucans.  He was a little nervous . . .

Megan was a little more brave :)

Callie had a good time watching Megan & Greg and the birds

We also made a trip to Hiroshima on the Bullet Train.  Greg is going to be teaching a High School history class on the Pacific Rim so he was really excited to visit Japan and some historic landmarks.  I'm sure his classes will really appreciate his unique take on Hiroshima since he has now been there first hand to see it.  It was a very moving and educational experience to visit Peace Park and the Memorial Museum.   

The Dome Memorial.  It was the only building that survived the Nuclear Bomb and they have decided to keep it standing as a reminder to everyone that visits.

Part of the Paper Crane Memorial.  All these pictures and words are made from lots of tiny paper cranes.  

Hiroshima before the bomb

After the bomb . . . A 2KM area was reduced to ashes, except for a couple of buildings.

Every time a country tests nuclear weapons, the Mayor of Hiroshima sends a personal telegram protesting it.

On a lighter note, there were lots of Monks in the area promoting peace, this guy was on his cell phone :)