Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Showa Daibutsu - Big Buddha in Aomori

Warning, this is a very photo intensive blog post, we had five cameras.

Josiah got off the plane and said, "Show me Japan!" This was GREAT to hear as we need to do a lot in the next three days so that the girls know they've been in Japan. ::snort::

We now have to drive two cars everywhere we go. No storms were in the forecast. Mary had sent us a big file of driving directions to various spots around Japan. We have a few ideas of things to check out. We set out for Aomori. My general observations of the trip: there is more snow up there, I don't want to drive up there alone to fly to Korea in March (maybe I'll fly from here to Tokyo to Korea), Japan is gorgeous, lots of long tunnels - which the kids love.

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Mike

Here are 9 + Mike looking like they are in Japan. ::snort::

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

The Showa Daibutsu (Big Buddha) was built in 1984. It's made of bronze, is 70 feet tall and weighs 220 tons. The Big Buddha is located on the grounds of the Seiryuu-ji Temple (Blue-Green Dragon Temple). The local phone number is 017-726-2312. We got the feeling they were closed today. They are CERTAINLY gearing up for the New Year celebration. They took our money and allowed us to walk around and look. We had the place to ourselves, which was nice for photos. Buddhists journey here to pray for the repose of their ancestor's souls and to pray for the peace of their dead children's souls. I'll have to write more about that later.

The Blue Green Dragon Temple - as you come into the parking lot.

From 2009-12-29 Jamin Big Buddha

We'll go back when it's warmer and take a long look inside. Next we happened upon a pagoda.

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Mike

There were statues all around. I'm sure we'd take more photos in warmer wheather.

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Mike


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista

The windmills are left in memory of dead children, miscarried and aborted babies.
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista


The Big Buddha

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Mike

Mike took this photo to show perspective - compare the Buddha to our 6 footers

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Mike


This is dedication....get the shot at all costs. ::snort::

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

Hat
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

Fingers
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

Big Bubba - not to be confused with Big Buddha
From 2009-12-29 Jamin Big Buddha

Yes, I explained that if there were other people around he could not do this. LOL

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Mike

New car model
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Mike

Did you make it this far? Do you need a sign to tell you this is a male bathroom? The urinals did that for me. ::snort:: And WHY are they in front of a glass, sliding door? We've seen this before. This photo was taken from the OUTSIDE of the men's bathroom.
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista

Jared had the idea that he and Jamin could sit in the back seat, put the middle seat down and have leg room.
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista

If you are local, you can find driving directions to the Big Buddha here. If you have a GPS the coordinates are N 40 40.611 E 141 21.270.

EVERYONE IS HOME!
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

EVERYONE IS HOME!

Those last few feet as you can SEE them, but have to wait for the luggage, are exquisite. We filled the time by taking photos on both sides of the window. ::snort::
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Jamin Big Buddha

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta


From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha De'Etta

I cried when I hugged these men. I don't know why, but it was incredibly emotional to see them. Krista suspects it has to do with the fact that the girls left home 4 years ago and this is the first time the "boys" have come home. Probably. I'm so incredibly blessed to have them home.

Everyone was talking, Stacia walked in, turned the piano on, grabbed Jamin and said, "Let's dance."
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista

A few minutes later she said, "Jamin, now it's Cy's turn!"
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista

We drove 1 1/2 hours to sight see. We came home for dinner. It is great fun to have Eleven of us together again. We brought the table from the library down and added three TV trays....but we all fit.
From 2009-12-29 Big Buddha Krista

We started a family gift exchange tonight. It takes a bit of time with this many folks. When Josiah and Jamin began fading we had mercy and quit. They're in bed. Krista and Arielle are calling it a night. Nolan and Mike are playing with Nolan's new chess set. The rest of us are "settling".

We'll fit as much as possible into the next few days.


Everybody's Home in Japan...
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...