"Live the Cover!" Contest: Thailand

Great Travel Moment

Japan captivates me because of the focus put on bringing out the beauty in even the most mundane, everyday objects. When I saw these barrels of sake at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo I knew it would make a great photo; the art and the repetition of the pattern calling out to be studied closer. But, every time I tried to snap a picture more throngs of tourists would walk into the photo at the very last second. My husband and I laughed harder and harder as he tried to give me advance notice of approaching heads, but to no avail. Finally a busload of elderly Japanese ladies took pity on me and held back the masses until I could get my shot. We still laugh to this day when we see this photo, remembering the determination it took and the silly foreigners we must have appeared to be!