superlatives

Kyoto has this temple called Chion-in which, like Texas, embraced the motto "bigger is better" and ran with it.  

Exhibit number one: The biggest gate in Japan

Maybe a little perspective would be helpful.

My dad, in the blue top and red backpack at the top of the stairs, is about 10 feet in front of the huge wooden post of the directly behind him.  The thing is HUGE. 

Exhibit number two: the huge, steep stairs (not the tallest or steepest we've seen in Japan, but a good effort)

Almost there.  Ouch.  The smile is hiding the burning in my quads.  And I'm fairly certain I was muttering "stop taking my picture!" through my clenched teeth. 

Exhibit number three: the biggest main temple in Japan

Beyond just being absolutely ginormous, the building was also very cool for it's "nightingale floor" on what is best described to a westerner as a wrap-around porch.  The floor was specifically designed to "sing"(squeak) when walked on, making it difficult for intruders to move about quietly.  Or teenagers to sneak out at night.

Exhibit number four: the biggest bell in Japan

A picture could not possibly convey how big this thing is.  Unless there were six of me holding hands in a circle around it. If there were no fence preventing me from getting close.  And five more of me.  

In the words of Billy Fucillo (one thing I DO NOT miss from America) HUUUUGGGGGGGEEah.    Apparently it takes 17 monks to ring the bell for the New Year's ceremonies.  That big log with the white thing at the end is what they use to ring it. 

 I think our whole apartment might fit into the bell. 

Mata ne,
Melissa