I'm off to see the Buddha....the biggest Buddha in the world...

It was a lovely day in Amagasaki, Japan when myself and my little companion Noriko let out for the mighty and distant town of Nara. This lovely city is one of the oldest in Japan. It has been around for a long time and it saw many a happening...enough history already. It was a nice day and we took off early, must have been at least 11 am.
After about an hour on trains and the sort we arrived in the magical city. I had been told many a tale about this lovely place but didn't know what to expect..except for one thing: lots of deer and Buddhist temples. I had had a nightmare the night before about deers attacking us and taking our lunch boxes (or bento...it's just more fun to say; together now: ben-toe. Yeah!) So when we arrived I was extremely relieved to see that they had the mystical beasts under the control of ancient Buddhist monks. Like this fella.

Putting my fears to sleep like this hornless hunk of a beast I quickly donated my ¥10 and was soon blessed as to not be harmed by the mystical beasts.
Moving on, unmolested, my companion and I became one with the deer and soon found that they were rather fond of us. As can be seen in exhibits
A.
and B.
As we gently fed the deer and became a part of this ancient tradition...Nara by the way means "petting zoo" in Japanese. Interesting little tid bit wouldn't you say?
So we too got hungry, not the deer and I, but Noriko and I. So we say down in the city park and opened up our bentos and began to eat. It was lovely really. All around were people playing with these gentle beasts...and I eating my rice ball. Quite a way to spend a Saturday afternoon. All was well until the charm began to wear off (personally I think that the monk found out I really gave him a Chinese nickel...the value being far less then the recommended ¥10) and the deer attacked. Now I know that last week I alluded to the fact that some of the Monkeys in Minoh could be dangerous little thugs...but honestly, they couldn't hold a candle to these OG's. I tell ya what, I'm surprised Bambi turned out as well as he did after loosing his mother...because it definately seemed like these degenerates came from broken homes the way they attacked our table. First they took (and ate) or map so that we wouldn't know where the closest police station was, and then they tried to make a grab for our food. Now you all know me as a fun loving pacifist, but I tell ya what, I kicked the crap out of them deers...just kidding. I did however throw Norikos bento onto the ground, grabbed my own, and ran up a tree. That also is a joke.
So anyway the first deer (there were only two in the attack) came up on Noriko's right side and grabbed the map (diversion) while the one on her left tried to grab at her food. They of course didn't go for a thing near me...being as I am the closest embodiment of the Buddha that they have seen. So long story short, I grabbed the food and the girl and skeedaddled. We found another spot, set up camp, dried Noriko's tears (she was crying...they were pretty mean to her...head butting and all...no joke) and ate out lovely lunch.
After the meal and a little recon we felt that it was safe to move on.
After walking through the park we found ourselves at the gates of the mighty Todaiji Temple. This temple was built in 732 as a housing for the largest Buddha in the world (the Daibutsu). It is the largest all wood temple in these parts and again maybe the world. What you don't believe me with all of these "largest in the world" comments...well I will have you know I didn't have to duck all day.
Yeah whatever...look at it already.

It's pretty big 'eh?
The first thing that I saw, when walking through the main gates of the temple are these two huge mean looking guards. Now they had chicken wire like fencing protecting them...so the picture wasn't all that great, but inside the temple there were two more sculptures of the same scary guys...and they were also big. Probably made from the same cast...and one of them looked like this fella

cute isn't he.
More to come...have to go to class now.
Okay then, I'm back.
So anyway, there we were at the temple. We had escaped from the ravenous deer and found refuge in the company of the Diabutsuden, or really friggin' big Buddha. Now as much as I can gather this here Buddha is made to resemble of the reincarnations of the original Sidartha hisself. I am not sure what this Buddha's name is, but I do know that he is supposed to be the Buddha that will bring light to the world. Therefore the Buddha was made out of bronze from a cast that took three years to build and was then coated with gold. I did read a little story about the gold...when they first began to guild the big guy there was no gold in Japan, or moreover, no gold had been previously discovered in Japan. So all of it had to be imported from China and other nations abroad. This was frustrating. So they began a prayer a thon and lo and beholdith, gold was found in the north of Japan. Kinda interesting I thought.
So I bet that you are wondering what the big guy looks like...here, I'll give you a peak (but to be honest a little picture on my tiny blogger isn't really going to give you the full impression...you really should just come over here and visit me...)

After seeing the big guy we mosied around the temple and through the gift shop were be both decided that we didn't need any deer or buddha related materials...not even the bottle opener with one of the guards on it...which was tough to pass up, but I made Buddha proud and suppressed my desires.
After leaving the temple we wondered around the grounds of the park and related area. It really is a huge bit of land. We saw many more deer and they did get a little less harrassing after we left the temple...maybe the temple deer are like the dirty money changers that Jesus threw out and the deer outside of the enterance are more like you and me. Just a thought...but then again I don't think that even I am this cute.

Then we looked at more leaves. I know, I know, two weeks of trips to look at leaves? It's all about the aesthetics baby...speaking of, I think that my overalls make this picture more please. Example: My overall handsomness, overall aura, and overall pants. What do you think?

So as you that know me could imagine, I did become a little hungry as we walked and looked at all those leaves. So I began to think back to last week when I was in a similar situation. What did I do then? Well I took what nature offered me...sweet, sweet oak leaves. Now I know that some of you may think that I'm a monster, but I just couldn't help myself...or should I say I just couldn't not help myself to a mouthful of them tasty treats...

Now they weren't quite as good as the fried ones from the week prior, but they hit the spot. Also it wasn't all that awkward for me to eat 'em raw...after eating raw chicken, beef liver, horse, and all things aquatic the leaves felt rather normal. However as the day wore on I still felt hungry. Through a clearing in the woods we ran into a quaint little place
that offered us some tasty Zatsui...or at least I think that's what it's called. It was a sweetened red soy beans soup with a tasty little rice cake (not like in the states were it's dry and nasty without flavor or a heart, but more like pounded rice that becomes almost doughy and quite tasty). The dish and I looked like this (I hope that you like the pictures...sorry if there are too many of me...but honestly I know that so many of you miss me and so really it wouldn't be fair if I just didn't give you want you really wanted)

And as the night wore on we were chased from the park by the Deer who were out with flashlights looking for little children who had been separated from their parents for the evenings festivities.
The day was coming to an end.
As we rode the train back towards home we thought as to what else we could do...but instead sided with the immediate idea of sleeping on the train. Now I know that before I have been surprised at how easily the Japanese can sleep on trains, but now is the time for me to admit that they are wonderful to sleep on. I think that its the gentle rocking and the soft seat that has been warmed by so many of the people that came before me. The seats aren't like the Chicago "El" all cold and hard and crap, but they are instead upholstered with a fine fabric a lot like that of a Lutheran Church pew...you know, like a cattail...not like those hardwood Catholic pews.
So there we were sleeping and thinking as to what was next when I got hungry again. All of this heavy walking and running from deer made me hungry and some stinking leaves, beans, and mochi aren't going to fill up this stomach. Especially after all the viewing as well...Buddha, leaves, young women in uniforms, etc.
So we found our way to a nice little place where one of my students works. Its called something like "EE Nonde Kutte" Good Eat and Drink. The drink was a'ight but the food was talking to me.

Honestly, the little fishies looked up at me and said (this is a rough translation), "Hey La'do, you don' eat me I tell you where da man is who'sa gonna grantcha tree wishes." You'd think that he worked for Popeyes the way he talked. So I agreed and he told me and I ate him. Sucker...or was it salmon.
So I followed the directions and found the man I was looking for...he was a little tough to spot, but I thought that the bag stood out a little.
A think?

So I told him all about my run in with the fish and only said, "I hope ya ate the bastard. Ain't no one s'pposed ta know about me till after the Emperor's birthday." It was then that I realised that not only crazy cajun's and popeye poops talk like that, but anyone in the chicken biz. So Col. Claus continued, "I give ya three wishes. Whaddya want?"
So I thought for a minute and then said....
1 & 2 Gioza and Beer
and 3. A Drunken Yoda...I don't know if his speech problem is because he's Irish or because he's a drunk. Either way he's green and it fits. He kept going on all night about some new spoilers but I just told I didn't care and then by the end of the night it was pretty funny, he didn't have the force to make it to the bathroom.
Alright then...I'm tired. I hope that you enjoyed the picture post. I will be talking with you again sometime soon. Kudos!