I feel home when I see the faces that remember my own. -O.A.R. “I Feel Home”

Well, trying to do a blog every day during the first week of school when your internet isn't cooperative is next to impossible, but it's the thought that counts, right?  I'll see if I can crank out a few more before the end of the week, functional internet permitting.

On the last day of the 2011-2012 school year, my family arrived in Kumamoto. Thanks to a VERY generous donation of frequent flier miles from my aunt and uncle (thank you thank you thank you thank you) I got so spend a week with my mom, dad and brother. We stayed in Kumamoto for a few days and then traveled to Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima.

Day 1: Kumamoto Castle

Phillip is a little taller than the typical samurai.

 In front of Kumamoto Castle

Day 2: Kumamoto - Since it was Sunday, most of Day 2 was spent doing church related things.  Since the members of my church knew that my dad was a church organist, they wanted to hear him play.  He kindly obliged:

 Outside Oe Lutheran Church

With Pastor Tanigawa

Day 3: Kyoto

 Our Shinkansen. (The bullet train.)

 First time on the bullet train!!

 Ginkakuji - The Silver Temple

 Ginkakuji - The Silver Temple

 In front of Ginkakuji

 Grounds of Ginkakuji.

  Temple grounds near Ginkakuji

Day 4: Nara/Kyoto

 Todaiji Temple - Nara

The Big Buddha in Todaiji Temple - Nara

 Kind of a busy day at Todaiji.

 You can't hide.

Edible coats!

Back to Kyoto.  Kinkakuji - The Golden Temple

 In front of Kinkakuji - The Golden Temple

 Kinkakuji - The Golden Temple

 The tatami room we stayed in at Kyoto Lutheran church.

Kyoto Station.

Days 5 and 6: Hiroshima

 Genbaku Dome/"A" Dome Before and after the bombing.

Ringing the Peace Bell.

Hiroshima before and after the bomb.

In Hiroshima Peace Park.  It's kind of hard to see, but those are the tops of origami cranes.  LOTS of cranes.

The Floating Gate near Miyajima Island. (If you look hard enough, you can see Jupiter and Venus over the gate.)

 

On the ferry, coming back from Miyajima Island.

"Take a picture.  We're cute." -Phillip.

Eating Hiroshima style okonomiyaki!

Our incredibly friendly okonomiyaki chef.

 Shukkei-en, near Hiroshima Castle.

Shukkei-en, near Hiroshima Castle.

Cherry blossoms in Shukkei-en.

Shukkei-en.

 Beginning of cherry blossom season in Shukkei-en.

Hiroshima Castle.

:-)

The meanest face you will ever see my dad make.

 Kimono in Hiroshima Castle.

View from the top of Hiroshima Castle.

Grounds of Hiroshima Castle.

Day 7 was spent in Kumamoto.  We took a trip to school and I introduced my family to my advanced English class.  Because they are in the advanced class, they have to take extra classes which, unfortunately for them but fortunately for us, meant they were at school even though most students were on vacation.  The majority of the class is girls and they squealed with delight when we came in.  We stayed for 15 or 20 minutes and let them ask questions, like "does Phillip have a girlfriend?"  They noted that we are a family of long-legged people and that we are very close.  :-) 

For me, the highlight of the trip (aside from getting to spend a lot of time with my family) was watching them experience Japan. None of them had been to Japan before and it was Phillip's first time out of the country. I had already been to the majority of the places we visited, but watching them take everything in was a wonderful experience. 
I have another year left on my teaching contract, so it will be a year before I get to see any of them (in person) again.  I'm so happy they were able to come and so grateful to all my other family members who made their trip possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!