Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Nara

 The day began late; we slept in; we laundered some clothing; and we took our time at breakfast at the hotel bakery/cafe. I ate the chicken salad sandwich half from yesterday. It was close to noon when we followed Karin and Kenji 's guidance  throught the metro system and transfer for the local train ride to Nara. I believe that I have already mentioned that the Suica card is useful through Japan, on metro systems of cities, on busesm on local trains and at convenience stores, and probably more yet to be discovered.

We used the Suica card on the local bus in Nara to the deer park. A local guide-type person reassured us at the train station bus stop that we were in the correct line to visit the deer park.

What we saw of the park was mainly grass and in the sun. In the shade on the sidewalk were many deer. They are beautiful,  all with spots and some with antlers and they were very tame. Karin purchased som crackers to feed them. Made of rice bran and flour the round and thin crackers were taken in one piece by the adult deer, and both Karin and I experienced a like tug on our clothing for food. 

The next bus driver, a young woman, told us we were boarding the correct bus to visit the great budda.  She brought her bus to the parking lot. We walked through an important gate and then further up and down rather steep and narrow stone steps to an area where a fountain for cleansing a n d drinking was available. More walking, then , was needed to the gallery of the great buddy. Enshrined in an ornately constructed wooden building,  the large copper image of the budda was loaded above our level, high. One palm faces upward and the other is raised as if in blessing,  from a Christian perspective. The eyes appear  closed.  Near the figure are other statutes which face outward in protection. Unlike copper of the great budda I believe that they are made of different metals or stone, even. We walked around the great budda and saw other large statues of protecting figures.  I wish that I understood more if the role of the budda and of protective figures in the system of beliefs of this religion. 

We returnedvto the bus and to the 45 minute local train tide to a nearby Metro station where we decided to have lunch,  as it was  nearly 5 pm. We found a restaurant in the metro station where many other restaurants and stores were open for business and actually doing good business, underground.  J had ramem with lots of veggies with oolong tea, andvthe other three had ramen variations. Leo had soup and rice an veggies and meat.

We returned to our hotel gia a stop at the shop selling items left behind at train stations to purchase the correct connection to the personal fan which I had purchased there a couple days ago. We packed, and then we went to the next door 7 Eleven store and purchased small bottles of wine to enjoybwith a bag of popcorn purchased yesterday whike watching local baseball and international volleyball competitions,  if only our world could compete peacefully in such a manner.  The youth if our world are showing us how to do it.