The last few days

But wait, there's more!
A group of us went to see a great, beginning of the year event in Nara. Every year, there is a great burning of grass on a large hill in Nara, and there is no real consensus on why, but the burnination happens, and it happens big. Big enough that there are many people in Nara who can see it from their homes. But, nevertheless, the
Wakakusayama Grass Burning always draws a large crowd.

Trekking out to the city is great, because throughout the park area and nearby are very tame deer. Much like the deer who live near Goucher College, and they will come up to you, and see if you have food. They have it all figured out; most people will spend 150 yen for deer biscuits, and the animals have no qualms about looking at you with plaintive eyes, hoping for a snack. Those deer have us humans well trained. It is weird to see them just roam about, like we would see squirrels or an occasional critter. Deer are large animals, and they can really get up in you, sniffing through your pockets to see what you got. VZ would love this place.

What is also interesting is the old temple in the area. Curiously enough, it is rather hidden and fairly recessed from the road, you have to know it is there. Nara is like that, unimpressive at first glance, but upon greater inspection a rich treasure of culture. The above gate is the second tallest in Japan. The actual temple of Koofuku-ji was transferred from Kyoto to Nara in 710, and was the main temple of the Fujiwara clan. The origional group of buildings was huge, but due to fire and sword (Japanese as well as American) there are only twelve left. The ones standing were constructed in the 15th century, making them the oldest wooden buildings in Japan too.

We walked around the park, we drank beer, I also found sake. We watched the fireworks, saw the burnination, and left feeling that we had been part of a real event. The sky was perfect tonight, too. We had a very clear shot of the whole mountain, , and, with the half-moon above us, the Morning Star to accompany, and the sun-set framed by fluffy clouds, which parted the red orange hues of the great ball into its various parts, we stood, mesmorized with the whole crowd, waiting for fire. The event was preceded by fireworks, which were awesome. Then, at 6pm, the dry grass was set ablaze, and the whole hill area lit up in a lustrous glow; a large torch of flame dancing and daring us to watch. Sure, most people watched it on TV, and it was cold outside. But, like a good Fourth of July or watching the Ball drop on New Years at Times Square, if you don't do it once, you only cheat yourself.

On the train ride we goofed around, taking silly pictures of each other with our phonecams. A good time was had by all.