My first thought was amazement - here is a temple dedicated to my favorite animal! It made sense after finding out that it was a temple for fertility. Most likely stemming from being so in love with the drawings of Bambi and Thumper and then being utterly traumatized by the film. Please allow me to elaborate - I kind of have this thing for deer and bunnies. My favorite thing ever is bunnies! And here were bunnies. While walking along the PhilosopherвЂ™s Way to one gorgeous temple after another, some divine intervention beckoned me and we happened upon a small non-touristy temple called Okazaki Shrine.ДЄs we entered, I realized why fate had brought me to this spot all the way from Los Angeles. No wonder everyone is so fit.ДЄnd speaking of legs, keep those babies covered if youвЂ™re a mosquitoвЂ™s idea of a tasty treat. You will be walking and when I say walking, I mean walking. Big mistake - wear your trainers at all times. So much so, after visiting temple after temple, after yet another temple on the third day, I could not move my legs any further and had to stay behind. We visited the most beautiful temples and gardens I had ever seen and yes, I have never walked so much in my life. Baby, this tall girl needs her space!Д«ut once we finally touched down on the magical island of Japan and I had my first taste, all I can say is - Japan! Where have you been my whole life?!ДЄfter we arrived in Kyoto, the walking began and did not end until we were on the plane home. From here on after IвЂ™m flying business class. The plane ride was the longest one I had ever taken. They were going to the wedding of their nephew and invited me to come. He wanted to show me the magic of Japan where he used to live and met his wife. I was a little worried about spending so much time together, but an all expenses paid trip? No way would I pass up that chance to hang with my favorite big brother. So when he invited me on a trip to Japan, I was shocked. Since we left the nest many years ago, I can count the hours weвЂ™ve spent together on one hand. Though we live less than 25 miles apart, we see each other once a year at most. He lives in the fancy part of town, and I live, wellвЂ¦somewhere else. IвЂ™m a bit of a rebel heвЂ™s the perfect son.

My brother and I could not be more different from each other.

Bambi and thumper