Around the World in 7 Days: Part II

We knew that it would be raining the next day, but Laurie and I didn't really plan what we were going to do until just before we walked out the door.  What was on the agenda?  A trip to Italy!

WHAT?!

The Yokohama Museum of Art is currently hosting a collection of Pompeii artifacts, on loan from an Italian museum.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.  Our first stop was Landmark Tower, unfortunately with all of the rain and clouds, going up to the observation deck would have been pointless.  Thankfully, the tower has an amazing collection of restaurants and so we had lunch at an amazing Yakisoba place.  The waitress was able to help us out with the menu, so we both ended up with pork yakisoba.  While pork isn't really my thing, here in Japan, pork usually ends up being bacon.  It was good.

We headed over to the museum, a mere 220 meters away.

We had hoped the exhibit would have some English sub-titles, but no luck.  It was all in Japanese and Italian.  Laurie is pretty fluent in Spanish, so we got by on that and some guessing. Take for instance this piece: candelabri a forma di albero con tre lucerne

We got so far as "Tree Candelabra with three..." and we figured lucerne meant cows since Safeway uses it for their dairy brand and the little hanging things looked like cows.  Ha! If only we were that lucky.  They're lamps.  Not cows.  Better luck next time!

We had to head back to Yokosuka after our trip to Italy, but we ended the evening with pizza, so it was kind of like we never left...

The next day was so much better, in terms of weather, so we journeyed to Kamakura.  After a bit of a snafu on the trains and a very enlightening conversation with an older couple from New Jersey (wow, bidets will never be the same...), we finally got to our destination. 

The Big Buddha!

Funny story, this picture was taken by my admirer.  He kept asking to take my picture, over and over again.  I couldn't figure out why he wanted to take so many pictures!  Then, a translator/tour guide came over and started helping him communicate with me.  Turns out, I have an incredible aura.  He felt blessed in my presence, because he said I exude the presence of a goddess.  Two words: Ego. Boost. 

After that, how could I refuse his request for pictures?! I'm pretty sure Laurie could not stop laughing.  

We also went to the Hase Dera temple and walked up Prospect Road...

enjoyed the view from the top...

and crawled through small tunnels to see tiny worship caves...

I'm pretty sure the sign says "watch yo' head, this is gonna be a tight fit!" (yes, all that can be said with four symbols.  Believe it.)

We just had to end our day on a sugar high...hello ice cream!

Next Stops: New York, Italy, the Arabian Coast, King Triton's kingdom, Mexico, and more JAPAN!