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Published: November 22nd 2007
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Entrace to the shoguns House
Alas No photos allowed inside Hi,
This morning I got up and went down to the basement for breakfast. and no its in a different area to the communal baths! Made a bit of a social boo boo. I forget to take my house slippers off, I realised halfway across the floor as I was looking back at all the Japanese faces staring at me as I slid back the screen doors so I kinda skipped/Floated/panicked my way back to the doors and threw my slipped off then re-entered looking very sheepish. It seems I am the only westerner staying at this hotel but the staff are really friendly and dont mind my really poor Japanese, as they are very good at english.
So I had a half day tour of Kyoto this morning. hmmm filled with the usual complaining Americans, but saw some three really good tourist attractions. Firstly the Shogans (nijo) house. The floors flanking the inner rooms are called the nightingale floors and make a sound like a nightingale when walked on, so that the shogan and body guards knew when there were intruders. So imagine bus loads of tourists make this a strangely noisy but not really annoying
How the Nightingale sound is made
Had a quick duck under the floor for this shot. I wanted to know how they did it and sustain it for all the tourists.
Ssshh dont tell anyone! racket! Next the golden temple. Yep its a temple and yep its covered in gold. Looking stunning in the morning sun. It would of been better if the 20 or so coach loads of tourists were not there, but everyone got a photo then moved out the way for the next person which I thought was very respectful.
The the Imperial palace. The guide kept going on about this and the security checks ..... She was not wrong we had to line up like kids and the counted us in. They kept a realy close eye on us as we walked round. There was the obvious presence of security and one or two new members of our tour that were not looking at the palace but us! It was a bit rushed but it was nice to see it.
I had the afternoon to myself so walked from the Japanese craft shop where the bus left us back to the hotel. Again I slightly mis-Calculated the distance but it was good to wander. Got back for about 3.30 Enugh time for a hot bath downstairs and then the madatory cooling down period before being picked up by my next
Golden palace
I want a house like this guide.
He was an English man doing one on one tours of Gion district the home of the geisha. He said we probably wont see any geisha at all as they dart around (They are on chargeable time as soon as they leave there lodging). He was really informative about the whole Industry and how much two people being entertained by a Geisha at a Tea house would cost (about 700 pounds each) they would dance and play various instruments and we would eat very good food, but it is difficult nigh on impossible just to walk off the street to see one, most tea houses you have to be recomended too. Anyway back to the geisha spotting or as we would prefer Miko spotting (the young ones, white faces) we saw about 10 - 15 of them scurrying around, there are only 50 in total so to say we were lucky is an understatment, he knew when and where they would pop out, it also helped it was raining so they all had taxis (9 grand silk kimonos' shrink apparently when wet). It is an industry that is slowly dying out as most girls who wish to train
are persuded not too by their familes and the Japanese corporate money that does the entertaining is doing more golf days for clients! All Geisha in Japan train in Kyoto, out of say 50 that are accepted each year only about 3 or 4 will pass the point where they are commited. This is done by giving each girl a kimono for each month of the year so they are tied in to pay off that expense 12 * 9k but when it is paid off they can earn big bucks, but in this day and age it does seem a little Dickension! It was a really informative tour too much to put on here and some information I cannot!
I did try to take one photo of a miko but they are so quick I didn't try again but just watch the shear grace with which she walked and her poise!
Had dinner at the Inn, and went to the train station to take some night pictures and pick up some more tea.
I have noticed how my suitcase is getting heavier and heavier which is not in realtion to the things being added, I am
I cant believe this turned out at all
The One in front is about 24. The one behind, is a lot younger about 19. Ask me I will tell you how you can tell their ages. sure this has happened on other holiday too, are suitcases affected by their location or even distance to the equator?
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Nick Hodgson
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Update for you
Alan, not sure if you'll get this before you start on your journey home, but I have 2 updates for you. 1) England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, it reminded me of the Mike Basset England Manager film. Mclaren still has his job at the moment, but with any look he'll be picking up his P45 shortly. 2) There are a load of Japanese children with paper cranes outside your front door, do you want me to tell them to come back in a few days?!