Our Trip to Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya (Part 1)

Here is the Christmas tree at the airport where we were waiting to greet Larry and Shirley and the Richardsons who were coming from Salt Lake to train leaders in this area. Larry is the 1st counselor in the General Young Men's Presidency and Brother Richardson is a counselor in the General Sunday School.

This is a poster but we did pass right by Mount Fugi on our way down to Osaka on the Shinkansen (bullet train).

Here are some little dolls that were displayed in a case at the airport. I'm a sucker for any type of doll! I especially love the Japanese costumes on these.

This is at the airport - Kansai is the greater Osaka area.

Here are President and Sister Kido who were there to greet us.

Elder and Sister Aoyagi were also there to greet the guests from Salt Lake.

The flight was on time.

First glimpse - you can see Shirley there.

After a wonderful meal, President Stevenson treated us to these huge desserts!

Luscious! The bottom of the sundae was filled with corn flakes!

Here with are with Larry and Shirley! Brother and Sister Richardson of the Sunday School with Larry and Shirley and us.

These boys were part of a focus group that Larry had. They are trying to find out what life is like for these teenagers here in Japan.

Larry had them spellbound!

This was the meal we had on Sunday at the church between all the meetings.

Brother and Sister Richardson with a poster of their son who served a mission here. Someone remembered him and went and found this and brought it to them. They were delighted!

In front of a poster - this is the castle we could see out our window.

Shopping along the streets leading to the shrines and temples.

Kimono for sale

Sister Nakatsuka and Sister Tamaya - they were our guides to the area.

We saw lots of girls in kimono (yes, that is plural) who had come to the shrines.

President and Sister Tamaya - he is a stake president here and they drove us around.

I love kokeshi dolls!

And even Kabuki dolls!

Sister Stevenson and Shirley pose before one of the beautiful buildings.

It was a perfectly beautiful day!

Sister Richardson and Sister Aoyagi.

The leaves were just beautiful!

Shirley -just as cute as ever!

With Sister Aoyagi - I think they were examining a tree.

Kyoto is a city of both old and new - looking out from the old to the new with all the skyscrapers.

I guess many people come here to be photographed in costume. These are beautiful people.

Kids are kids no matter where in the world they are!

Wherever you look, something fascinating to see with fantastic natural backgrounds!

Sister Stevenson and Shirley enjoying each other.

What a view!

An artist tries to capture the color on canvas.

All dressed up!

Have you ever seen such giant radishes?

The men's table at a restaurant.

This guy was singing Christmas songs IN ENGLISH!

Here we are entering yet another beautiful shine area near the church where we were headed for dinner at the end of a long day.

Don't know how Richardsons and Larry and Shirley did it all - I'm sure they were experiencing jet lag.

The Golden Pavillion- looks like King Midas touched everthing here!