June = Hydrangea

Of all the foliage and flowers in the world, Hydrangea has to be one of my favorites, (wisteria being the close second.) Lacey lavender and sky blues to Magenta and soft baby pink. I love every variety and hue. My wedding bouquet centered around white hydrangea, (a rare find in the middle of February,) and I have plans to cover my future yard with it one day. This love of hydrangea was instilled in me during my youth. My mother has always loved this plant as well and we grew up with both deep violet and cerulean shrubbery in our front, back, and side yards. I just love how full and rich the blooms become and how LONG they last! Just like a sunset they change over time into richer and then more delicate colors as they slowly fade away. I love to watch this cycle every year. Here in Japan hydrangea is popular too. The Japanese people even have viewing seasons and parties for this plant. All over Kamakura in June the Japanese tourists flock and snap pictures. My mother and I followed suit! How lucky that she just "happened" to be here in June for a visit!

My friend Mari recommended some temples in Kita-Kamakura for the ultimate hydrangea viweing experience. My mom and I were not disappointed. Prepare for photo overload!!

First Few Weeks in JAPAN!!! Part 3

Train to Kamakura
Daibutstu of Kamakura
His sandals are in the building nearby should he ever decide to leave :)

I'm not really sure how to go about updating. No matter what I do it's going to be information overload so just bear with me for a few days and I promise that I will try my best to organize my thoughts. I've already written a few entries though so please scroll down! :)

First Few Weeks in JAPAN!!! Part 4

Another view from the Temple
View of the Pacific from outside of the temple
Another shot of the Hasedera Temple
Turning this... uh.. thing is supposed to bring you good fortune?
Hasedera Temple in Kamakura
Garden in front of the temple
Washing our hands before we enter the temple grounds
One of the temple buildings

Incense out front

Cliff and I went to Kamakura on our ICR field trip. The purpose of this trip for our class was for us to separate amd navigate the train system on our own. It was a breeze. We had a blast. It was just tooooooo hot. We will have to come back in the fall or something.