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Published: March 17th 2009
March 16 I woke early in the morning ready to hit the ground running. I still hadn't decided what to do about staying in Kyoto for another day or heading back to Osaka. The hostel serves a 500 yen breakfast (about $5: tart yogurt with pistachios and dried cranberry, two homemade organic rolls, one wheat and one green tea, with butter and honey, and one egg scrambled with chopped ham and parsley) so while I ate I read a Frommer's Guide to Japan. After just a few minutes of reading I knew I had to stay in Kyoto for another day. I let the manager know I'd be staying one more night, put my things upstairs next to my mat, reorganized my backpack for a day of sightseeing and walking, and headed out.
I walked to Shijo Station and rode the subway 5 stops to Fushimiinari Station where a few minutes walk took me to Fushimiinaritaisya Shrine, which is known for it's hundreds of bright orange arches. This Temple's grounds seemed to sprawl for miles. When we think of a religious site, such as a church, we tend to think of just the church itself, or possibly its immediate property.
Chopstick Store
The detail on some of the sticks is amaing!But these Shrines stretch and wind and flow into the forest and surrounding mountains. The Shinto's respect and reverence for nature is apparent- to worship nature and all it has to offer is worshipping "kami", a pillar of their beliefs.
After a few hours of taking in the beauty of Fushimiinaritaisya I took the same train back to Shijo Station. I began to make my way to another shrine but decided to refuel with some much needed sushi. The Frommer's book suggested a place called Ganko Sushi, and it was excellent. I watched as the chef prepared my dish right in front of me, and vowed that I, too, would become a master sushi roller. It can't be
that hard, right? The man was very sweet. Although he couldn't speak English, and I couldn't speak Japanese, we seemed to have a conversation through gestures, smiles, and nods. He slipped me a piece of moist poundcake, and I left, feeling content and grateful.
From there I walked about 30 minutes to Heian-jingu Shrine, but there wasn't too much to see. Only what I have posted here in the pictures. Everything else was closed off to the public.
I
have to stop for a moment and congratulate myself on getting around the city with my map. You may think I have the directional skills of a homing pigeon, but alas, it is not true. I couldn't find West if the sun was setting on it. But I did fairly well on this trip, which is a blessing, because Dan usually does all the navigating.
I cabbed it back to my hostel, took a long shower, rested, then in the evening went back to the same Lantern Festival. It's dazzling ambiance was just too much to enjoy only once. Imagine a romantic candle-lit dinner... only it's outside, with thousands of candles, in the trees, on the walls, on the water, in the grass, while a Koto (Japanese traditional stringed instrument) plays quietly. (If you want to hear a Koto, click on http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~NP5Y-HRUC/kt-rokudan4.au)
As always, I was sad to see this trip end. Although it was brief, it marked the discovery of my ability to survive alone. And I don't mean "survive" in the sense that I made it out alive. Just that I am capable of planning, executing, and taking advantage of traveling alone. I usual rely on
Daniel's opinion; even if I don't use it, at least I ask.
I am literally continents away from the people I love the most, the people who know me and love me the best. But I talked with girls from China, Norway, and Austria, and a couple from Paris. I spoke at length with the hostel manager as we walked throughout the Lantern Festival. And I spent a great deal of time just sitting at a Temple, listening to the water, closing my eyes, and feeling my heart lighten a little. And then I didn't feel so very far away.
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the kemps
Abi & Terry Kemp
vietnam
Thanks for your lovely email and your kind words. We have had an absolute blast in vietnam, having spent about 5 months in s/e asia now it is a very refreshing change! If you have 4/5 days i would fly into saigon as it is an absolute must (It just pulsates with life - it's awesome!) then fly or get the night train to nha trang where you could pick up with the easy riders and spend a few days with them either on bikes or in a car. They can either take you back to nha trang where you can fly back to saigon or to danang where for about $25 you can fly onto hanoi. We weren't so sure at first spending so long with the easy riders as we like doing stuff ourselves but we saw things we would never have seen otherwise and it really was the highlight of our time in vietnam! I think they are making a website so when it is up and running i will drop you the link and you can have a look for yourself. If you need any more info just give me a shout, more than happy to share our opinions and advice. Take care and happy travels Abi