The Shaddix Family Rocks Kyoto

As I ran down the length of the Kansai International Airport arrival gate I had one thought going through my mind: hug mom and dad. They stood outside the customs exit waiting for their son to welcome them to Japan and a second later I was throwing off my bag and embracing them…and experiencing my first moment of speechlessness. My parents had come to Japan!

But unfortunately their luggage had not. This was only a minor bump in the road that would be rectified within about 24 hours (and thank goodness too!).

Our first stop was the train station to head off to the cultural capital of Kyoto. I kept watching them and wondering, when are they going to freak out? They look so calm and normal…

I don’t have time to write about all our adventures at the moment, but below are some pictures to enjoy. Mom and dad have been doing great and have conquered both the sqatty potty and raw fish.


Mom and dad’s first meal and first challenge: eating ramen with chopsticks! Since they hadn’t slept in about 24 hours I think their performance was pretty good.


Me outside Kiyomizudera. Rain accompanied us there.


Zen gardens at Ginkakuji. Truly moving designs set off by the gently falling rain.


Mom and dad in downtown Kyoto…some people were getting a little grumpy about finding dinner, but we managed to enjoy ourselves in the crowds.


Dragon drool for people to wash their hands in.


Priest on a bridge in Kyoto praying for those who pass by.

Golden Week in Korea

First, two definitions: Golden Week = a week in Japan with multiple public holidays that people often use to travel and escape their inaka towns.
Korea = an Asian country located between China and Japan that offers delicious, spicy foods and endless nightlife.

I awoke early Monday morning to a strange stillness aboard the ferry that Betsy and I had been traveling on for the previous 12 hours. Since departing Japan, my time aboard had been marked by endless swaying on the ship and I had slept in a broken series of dreams depicting dancing Buddhas. “We’ve stopped!” were the first words out of my mouth as I jumped up and saw the Korean port town of Busan outside the window.

A few hours later, after disembarking and traveling by train northward, Betsy and I found ourselves in the exciting capital city of Seoul. People were everywhere in touchy couples, chatty groups, and single individuals strutting down the street. Lights and food vendors lined the streets and dance music played from store fronts. Recognizable restaurants like Pizza Hut, Subway, Burger King, and Krispy Kreme stood side by side with delicious Korean BBQ and kimchi places and all for prices cheaper than Japan!

My week in and around Seoul was great and full of fun. Here are some pictures and captions to relay my adventure in part.


Betsy overwhelmed by the nightlife near our hostel in Hyehwa.


The Korean National Museum packed with three massive floors of history and culture…and about a ba-zillion school kids running around and screaming.


Korean BBQ: blindingly delicious and stunningly cheap!


The Seoul masses…Koreans sprinkled with foreigners from all around the western word. I was amazed at how many Koreans in the city spoke English.


Ancient Korean palace still standing after a long history of foreign invaders.


Me enjoying a FREE Krispy Kreme doughnut beneath the “hot now” sign. The slim bodies of Asia are on a course for chubbiness…but at least they’ll enjoy the sweet ride there.