2 posts tagged “nara”

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New Year's 1987 memory

Dec 30, 2007
3 comments

My wife Barbara and I visited Kyoto and Nara at New Year, 1987. That was twenty years ago! To my mind, it turned out to be the most wonderful possible place to be, at the most perfect time.

New Year's in Kyoto

At the stroke of midnight we were on top of a little mountain where monks were ringing a large bell 108 times (I believe that is the right number). It was a perfect way to celebrate--a lot better than "normal" American New Year's eve parties. A treasured memory.

Then on Jan 1st went took a train over to Nara, an even older capital of Japan, and walked around the park area, seeing a huge Buddha and many other sights.

Nara with deer

To me, these were one of the very best experiences of a lifetime.

Connie and I have had many wonderful trips--but we have not yet followed out that prior one. Perhaps one day we will!

What city do I belong in?

Dec 18, 2007
4 comments

I belong in Amsterdam

I took a quiz on-line at blogthings, as I have seen others here on Vox do, and it indicated that, of European cities, I belong best in Amsterdam. And of American cities, I am most similar to Austin, Texas.

Austin

So those are interesting results! I have been in Austin briefly (and liked it for the music and the technology and the university). But I have never been in Europe at all. Now I have a recommendation--although the place we are actually going in Spring 2008 is London, Oxford, and Ireland, not Amsterdam.

Beyond that, is there a suggestion that Austin and Amsterdam are somehow rather similar (since they both fit my own profile?) Perhaps. Worth investigating.

Where I have long wanted to go is not Europe at all, but China. What Chinese city might I like best? Probably I can only manage one trip. Re "Things to Do Before You Die." I would welcome any suggestions!

The Asian city I've visited and I really liked was Kyoto, as well as nearby Nara. They are "old fashioned" and "modern" I would not say "totally weird" though. But historical and "artistic."

Is Kyoto similar to Amsterdam similar to Austin?