Weekend in Nikko Inspired by a quilt that my mother and I saw, oh, fourish years ago at a national quilt show, I have had the dream to go to Nikko, Japan for quite some time. Never thought this dream would come true, of course. God gives us some crazy stuff, though, and this weekend was one of those crazy "stuffs". Here's a strobe-light version of Tammy's, Adriane's, Carrie's, Cristy's, and my weekend: 4 1/2 hours of train rides to the youth hostel Getting "turned around," asking for directions, then following the kindly gentleman who pointed us in the right direction, for about 10 minutes...quite silently The smell of cat pee as we entered our hostel... The best Indian food (and the most) known to man Sleeping on a veritable "shelf" with little more than grass as padding The windiest bus ride I've ever taken...up a mountain An isolated hike...and an isolated stop...the purpose of which only those who were there will ever know ; ) Discovering a random bathing suit on our isolated hike (seriously in the middle of nowhere) Discovering the joys (and the non-joys for Carrie = ) of yuba ramen, udon, and soba...mmmmm Re-discovering the joys of hot chocolate A 2-hour wait in the frigid mountain air for the bus ride back...then having to let a bunch of people in front of us due to the fact that the bus came during the 10 MINUTES a couple of our group went on a food run. Cruelly ironic. The windiest bus ride I've ever taken...down a mountain...during a thunderstorm Playing MASH on the cold tile floor of our room Meeting Anna, a Swedish girl who now works in Tokyo with a London law firm...and giving her my shoes 'cause hers were soaked Watching Anna casually point to the hostel's cat, and observing (with great amusement) the ensuing screeches of "Otoo san!!!! Otoo san! Neko chan! Nezumi desu!" from the hostel's "house mom" and the "bang bang bang" of the handiest hard metal object she could find (translation--"Husband!" (literally "father") "Husband! Mr. Cat!!! It's a mouse!!!"...and then the banging... = ) The most beautiful, bright fall leaves I've ever beheld Lost of shopping Lots of eating A zonked-out ride home on the 3 1/2 journey Go here for photos!