Friday, October 24, 2014

Snapshots

I am sorry that I have been a little bit MIA with the blog lately (as some as you may know, I've been experiencing some stress with regards to school & my home university / graduation etc). Anyways, I haven't felt super motivated to be blogging BUT I feel like things are starting to look up. So0o, I wanted to give a little update by sharing some photos of what I have been up to. 
Fushimi Inari -Shinto Shrine (Kyoto)
Fushimi-Inari
Shrine
These gates (Torii) line the trail the entire way up the mountain
Wish I understood Kanji...
Carry meee
Attempting the perfect "jump" shot
Take 2
At least we tried...
Shrines on Shines on Shrines
Serene
Arashiyama
Gardens 
Life
The beginning of Autumn  in Japan-
soon the leaves will be Red<3
Changing colors
Getting spiritual
Bamboo Forest
Unfathomable Beauty <3
:)
Traditional Meal usually eaten by Buddhist Monks
View from the top of the Monkey Park
Monkey checkin out the view ;)
Share your wisdom with me...
inLOVE
Last Train Home - Pure luck we all made it
Sleepyyyy :D
Tomo & I
Sunset at the River
English gone wrong...
We found a Nepali Restaurant <3<3<3
My FAV type of food
MOMOs
Ecstatic
Franny & Jaana
The End to an Amazing Day :D

*** As a footnote about Iwatayama Monkey Park that I visited in Arashiyama. The monkeys are free and seemingly treated well. The only cause for concern is that there is a structure (almost like a cage) in which people can go to experience feeding the monkeys through the bars. I didn't know about the feeding before I went and yes, I did choose to take part in it. After some reflection, I don't know if this was the right choice. It obviously isn't ideal for them to become reliant on humans for their food buut I must admit I have not researched into this any further since I went.