And I’m back. Wednesday and Thursday were two of my favorite days on the trip. We finally arrived in Kyoto Wednesday afternoon and that evening was spent on the Kyoto walking streets, checking out the stalls, buying a nice to-go sushi dinner, and heading back to our hotel where an onsen and television showing of Million Dollar Baby filled up our night.
The next morning we headed to my favorite lodgings of the whole trip, the Gion entertainment district’s Ichi En Sou 一円相 Guest House. It was a quaint little 11 person guest house run by a young Japanese man named Yashi and his wife Sunam.
We dropped off our bags, got a bunch of good suggestions on places to visit from the two of them and headed out for a long day of walking through Kyoto. It was a fun day of checking out side streets, seeing random temples, and meeting fun school trips.
The Golden Temple, Kinkakuji, was a definite highlight for us. Not only did we see perhaps the most famous temple in all of Kyoto, so therefore all of Japan, but we were nearly mobbed by a group of middle school students asking us English questions for their school trip assignment.
That night we made it back to Ichi En Sou in time to go out to a fun dinner with some of the other people staying at the house and Yashi. He took the five of us (Andrew, a 20 year old American named Jake, a 30 year old twin sister of Monica Cooper from Colorado named Lauren, Nate from Switzerland, and myself) out to a fun skewer restaurant for some great food and drinks. What a great group! Another cool walk through the city at night and we were back chatting in the guest house den until late at night.
Ichi En Sou
Today, Friday the 21st, is my nine month mark in Japan, and I can’t believe that I have just under a month and a half left on exchange. Tonight I’m headed up the ALT teacher, Kris’ house, tonight to see some of the other English teachers in the area. It should be a fun time.
Andrew and I joking around about what would happen if his energetic german shorthair dog, Brekken, would do if she came to the Kamogawa "Duck River."
This is his, "Brekken, what's that!" face
Our first stop in Kyoto, near the bright shopping streets of our hotel
The market streets
Our hotel room dinner
The next morning outside of Ichi En Sou
Andrew finally finding his Nimbus 2000
A hilarious group of Japanese senior citizens obsessed over a bird that couldn't be bigger than my fist
Outside of the Kyoto Imperial Palace
Our sushi lunch was bought from a super market for less than ten bucks and yet it was still far more fresh than anything we'd ever had back in the states
Andrew being amazed at the selection of cup noodles
The Daitoukuji complex
Gardens
More of the Daitokuji
Japan...
that's all I could think of to write for this picture. It was either that or "Roofs"
Kinkakuji
On perfectly still days you can see the reflection in the pond below. On this day there was a slight breeze so it didn't turn out 100% but it still looks pretty sweet
The golden bird
Our favorite school group
One more shot behind the trees
Andrew enjoying a green tea ceremony at the Golden Temple
Finally making it back to Ichi En Sou
The lights of the Kamogawa River
Lauren and Yashi
Lauren and Sunam in the guest house. It was a great Japanese style place with a cozy feel that made everyone feel right at home
Sam,
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like you had many fun and memorable adventures with your cousin! Good for you for taking advantage of travel opportunities and cultural experiences! Thanks for sharing!
Naomi