Abusing the power of my JR rail pass again I shipped my ass out to Nara.
I arrived and walked up the main drag for a bit to check out the place and see what I could find. I reached a small pretty pond with a lot of artists doing painting so I decided to wander there for a bit since it was pretty sweet. As I walked I caught a glimpse of the 5-story pagoda that I had heard about so I headed that way. As I crested the hill I saw deer... lots of deer. I found a small stand nearby where you could buy deer biscuits so I did and then had many fans in the shape of (you guessed it) deer. I fed them biscuits while they affectionately (at least I assume so) prodded me with their antlers.
After that I walked around the park a little watching the deer chase young Japanese school children around. I came accross a pretty lake which was quite relaxing and emphasised by the gentle noise of the park staff raking in the leaves.
I then headed to the hall of the Great Buddha where a 16m tall bronze statue of the Buddha is held. It was an incredable site. It was quite as captivating as some other temples beacuse of the school kids running around but that in itself was amusing as they kept running up to interview me in English for their homework.
I then headed up to the Nigatsudo which gave an excellent view of Nara and on the way down I got chatting to an old man. He told me he lived in Nara and the place was amazing to wander in any season and any weather and that it was worth trying to see it in all seasons. I then hit the train and headed for home.
I arrived at the Hostel quite late and got chatting to some friendly americans by the names of Pedro, Martha and Mike. They were very cool and I hope they couldn`t smell me since I was all sweated up and covered in deer stench too (which might`ve taken some explaining). After a brief Onsen I headed to the main room where I got chatting to a Latino lass by the name of Alex. She offered me a drink but luckily I`d came loaded and pulled out my hip flask. We started chatting and drinking and got on really well. We headed out to get more drink but couldnt find an open shop so we stopped at a beer vending machine (GOD BLESS JAPANESE VENDING SERVICES!) and on the way back we had a flexibility battle to see who was stretchiest (she won... but it was close). I found out she did salsa so demanded she teach me some in the park which was fairly amusing since a) I was pissed and b) she was pissed. I then tried to teach her some breakdancing and this led to an inevitiable throw down and dance off (I won... but it was close). We then headed back and drank some beer and chatted away
