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Published: August 23rd 2006
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Evidence of bloglag here...sorry, too many journals to catch up on!!
Saturday Shinkansen from Shizuoka to Kyoto only took 1hr 40mins.
We hired bicycles and rode around Kyoto, making our way to Gion. Parked our bikes amongst the thousand others and went for a walk around the area because it was too crowded to ride. Found some really cute streets, and many traditional looking houses and bars. On our ride back, Amy fully staked it! It was pretty funny, but because the bikes were so small she had time to jump off, so she didn't get hurt - just her bike a little!!! Also on our way back, we spotted our first geisha! This time we
all nearly fell off our bikes!!! She was walking by herself in the opposite direction we were riding, so couldn't exactly go back and try to take photos. As it was raining lightly she was carying one of those beautiful flat umbrellas that look like they are made of paper. We were so excited, we planned to return to Gion at night to go geisha hunting!
Later in the night, after we had returned our cool bikes, we caught the train to
another part of Gion. The streets were all blocked off and there were people EVERYWHERE!!! There were stalls on the sides of the roads selling all sorts of food and various other things like goldfish, soft toys, blowup tea bottles (?), pet beetles, flashy badges and more!!! Also on the streets were all the floats (nothing like the Christmas Pageant) that were going to be in the parade on Monday. Some were over 25m tall and had men sitting on the edges playing music specific to the festival. Amy, Peter and I then walked back to the much quieter part of Gion, to spot some more giesha! We were lucky to see some saying goodbye to customers from the door and a few others who scurried off into the darkness or into a cab.
Sunday We shopped in the Station until it was time to meet Amy's Parents. We had a quick lunch in the Station then caught the train to Arashiyama. We really wanted to go to the monkey forest, but we ran out of time and it was raining - will be on the list for next time!
In the evening, we went to
Gion. We sampled just about all the festival food possible! Squid and octopus on a stick, yaki-soba, okonomiyaki, toffee strawberries, a snowcone and a vodka daiquiri for good measure! Peter, Amy and I couldn't resist going back to quiet area of Gion to spot more geisha...and we did! During the warmer months everyone in Japan carries fans. People are often even handing them out for free! We didn't want any old one, however, so we all bought Anpanman fans!
Monday It was raining the whole morning and during the parade. This also spoiled any other plans to do any more outside sightseeing so we went to a handicrafts centre and bought some souvenirs. After eating some ramen, Amy and I said goodbye to Peter Amy's parents and caught the Shink back home.
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Sad Face Pete
Thanks for the photos- too bad about the rain - we will see how our photos of Kyoto stack up against yours - but (obviously) none will be as good as Peter's!