Wow, time flies! Lots of rain, lots of hot, steamy humid days and lots of temples and shrines!!! I`m glad I`ve been able to entertain with my travel stories! Japan is quite an experience!
On my last day in Tokyo I managed to see a kabuki performance. It was the 3rd session of 4 that day and lasted 2 1/2 hrs. Not bad, especially with the english headset interpreting the performance!!
I made it to Akihabara - the electronics district - and my word, Geek Girl would have been in paradise. Floors and floors of gadgets, bits and bobs. Soooooo much stuff!
The shinkansen trains are something special. So smooth and quiet. I didn`t want the ride from Tokyo to Kyoto to end
Friday 22nd
Arrived in Kyoto station - holy cow - bigger then imaginable. There's a giant staircase - and it sure does meet all expectations. The head and chest cold that i`d been developing over the past few days was starting to take hold and felt pretty rubbish on arrival. A quick pit stop at a cafe for a toasted sandwich and 2 large juices certainly helped. No time for sickies when on vacation!!
The hostel was easy to find, very strict rules on arrival, departure, shower, meals and all things. Very strict. A little too restrictive.
Breakfast of shredded cabbage, sultanas and pineapple, a boiled egg, 2 slices of toast and tea/coffee - healthy enough.
Saturday
My first temple experience was the best. The Sanjusangendon Temple houses 1001 statues and a large buddha. Instantly on entering the main hall it was very .... moving ... I felt affected. All the incense helped.
Unfortunately, the Temple`s written oracle that I purchased left me a little flat. In summary:
Health: lack of sleep may be the cause of a car accident. Be careful!
Love: arrange things before someone interrupt
Journey: not good
Finding your soul mate: He/she will not come
Lost item: unlikely to be found
mmmmmmmm, book me into the convent then, my work here is done
Thank goodness then my next destination was more uplifting, walking through the mountain and through the 10,000 torii gates, the big red/orange gates that wind their way around Mt Inari. Took about 2hrs and was misty, lightly raining most of the way. The view from the top was magic.
The Tofukuji temple was a surprise - very little written on local maps or travel books, but sensational.
Sunday
Went north west to the Golden Pavillion, the much publicised temple covered in gold leaf. The Ryoanjin gardens - a white stone garden with 15 rocks (no trees) was next and also pretty interesting.
The garden is meant to inspire contemplation about your interpretation of the garden, what the 15 stones represent etc. All the tourists were clammering over each other to get the perfect photo of the garden and stones. There was so much urgency to experience and take a record of historic marvels such as this garden (as with most other temples and shrines all over this country).
It`s funny how we travel thousands of miles to see beauty created by someone else, to experience a country so rich in culture and personal contribution from every day individuals (that somehow have stood the test of time), but we could all be at home making personal contributions every day to make our lives better and richer.
Monday
I found McDonalds for brekkie today!!! Hot cakes mmmmmmm.
I took a train far west to Saga Arishayama and wandered the little streets and shops on the way up to the Tenryuji Temple, bamboo forest and walk along the river. My trekking caused great thirst and a can of fanta from the vending machine was going to fix it right up.
To my horror, this great globule of something was in my mouth from the first swig - almost causing an international scene by spitting it onto the pavement - i collected myself and realised they were jelly blobs in the fanta. Yup. Uh-huh. That:s what those `bubbles` are on the can - not fizz bubbles!!!! Tasty and refreshing once you got your head around the 3D experience of a drink.
Tuesday
OK, maccas for brekkie was a given, went to the shrine closest to the HOstel - the Heian shrine - and it`s famed 4 gardens. I traversed the stepping stones in the pond without falling in - a good omen.
I succeeded in my quest to find the Kyoto Traditional Handicrafts centre. Whilst initially looking forward to trying to paint my own fan, make my own wood block print, etc etc, I resorted to handing over the cash and buying all original pieces and saving myself the embarassment of something under-done.
I spoilt myself to an 80 min foot and body massage at the local department store today. Heaven. Enough said. Then packing up all the gifts, havign some local dinner and a few quiet beers. Japanese tv is special - their game shows are weird - but cool!
Off to Hiroshima today for 3 nights, then to Osaka before coming home.
Hope you`re well and look forward to seeing you soon.
Mich
xo
Part 1 available here.
Final part available here. |
