My New Ride

 

 

Since we had to sell all our vehicles prior to moving to Japan, it was necessary to purchase a new (new to us, not brand new) car. CarMax was a great place to go. They were very helpful! And I'm loving my Mazda CX-9

 

Christmas

 

We got to spend Christmas in Kansas with Meme, Papa, Leanne and Jacob.

The kids enjoyed being around family.

It was a very low key Christmas this year, because of the move. Thankfully the kids understood why there wouldn't be many gifts this year.

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Home Again

 

SO happy to be back in Colorado with family. Sydney loves helping Meme in the kitchen.

 

We were SO happy to have the dogs back again!

Sayonara Japan

 

We're off to the airport and headed back to the States.

I'm REALLY going to miss it here! Japan is such a wonderful country. I love the people, the culture, the cities, the countryside, the food! I really wish we could have stayed longer!

 

Vending Machine Hot Chocolate. Love this stuff! Yes, it comes out of the machine HOT. And on a cold day, it also makes a great hand warmer.

 

One last look at Tokyo!

 

Well, getting to the plane was an adventure ALL on it's own. We got stuck in traffic and what should have been an hour bus ride turned into 4 hours. We arrived at the airport 30 minutes till our flight was scheduled to leave. And the line for American Airlines was nearly 200 yards long. Our heart sank as we quickly realized that we were NOT making it onto that flight and we'd have to wait in the airport till they could get us on another flight.

After waiting in line for nearly a half and hour, I noticed a ticket agent come down from her computer and was walking the line of people. I grabbed her attention in one last hope of trying to make our flight. When I told her what flight we were supposed to be on and that it was leaving SOON, she asked if we were the Castle family. I was shocked! Yes, we are. She said she'd been looking for us. Pulled us out of line and directly up to the counter. She quickly checked all our bags and handed up our tickets. I ask her, "Will our luggage make it on this flight?" She smiled and said "Yes, your luggage will make the flight just fine. You however, must RUN!" And with that, we were running!

We didn't stop running till we made the gate, at which they were holding the doors waiting for the "Castle family" to arrive. I looked back to see Dan come running around the corner with Sydney tucked under his arm (she was grinning from ear to ear, as if it was fun). We got on the flight and they shut the doors behind us. I am VERY grateful what everyone at the airport for helping us make that flight.

Kyoto - 1,000 Torii Gates

 

Fushimi Inari Shrine, otherwise known as a Thousand Torii Gates.

 

I love the Torii Gates! It's one of my favorite symbols of Japan.

 

Sydney got to have her picture taken with this beautiful young lady that was dressed up in the traditional Kimono.

 

We didn't get a chance to walk through all 1,000 gates, was we were pressed for time. But being able to come down there and experience all the amazing Japanese cultural history, was amazing!!

Kyoto - Golden Pavilion

 

Kyoto is the oldest city in Japan. It was once the capital.

 

The Golden Pavilion is a sacred Zen Buddhist Temple. It's one of the most popular buildings in Japan.

Hiroshima

 

The A-Bomb Dome

 

On August 6, 1945 at 8:15am, an American B29 bomber carried out the world's first atomic bombing. The bomb exploded approximately 600 meters above and 160 meters southeast of the Hiroshima Prefectural Promotion Hall, ripping through and igniting the building instantly killing everyone in it.

 

Because the blast struck from almost directly above, some of the center walls remained standing, leaving enough of the building and iron frame to be recognizable as a dome.

 

After the war, these dramatic remains came to be known as the A-Bomb Dome.

 

We LOVED that we got a chance to see this huge piece of history.

 

The kids loved the Japanese Hotel we stayed at.

 

A view from our Hotel room.

 

Okonomiyaki is a very popular dish served in Southern Japan. We of course HAD to try it!

 

Was it good?

 

Yes! Yes, it was!!

 

There was a Festival of Lights going on in downtown Hiroshima, so after dinner, we walked around all the beautiful lights they had displayed.

 

It's the closest thing we could find to "Sitting on Santa's Lap" while in Hiroshima. Nonetheless, we loved it!