What a weekend!

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Well,
Here I am back in Tokyo after a whirlwind trip over the weekend and what an experience! We left on Friday night and rode the bullet train to Kyoto. It took about 2 hours or so, don't know how many miles it was, but wow, can those trains fly! And smooth as silk too! But the real fun began as soon as we reached Kyoto. Although I had originally reserved a motel, conversations with some other participants convinced me to go in with them to stay at a hostel while we traveled. Unforntunately the cab drivers, who although are very nice, could not understand much English and did not know where the place was (we had reservations at Kyoto's Best Inn) . Finally after about an hour of waiting we managed to find someone to translate the directions. Then of course a quick cab ride across town to the inn, up a small flight of stairs and into the Inn..........my very first experience with a hostel. When we entered the door, what we saw was a series of bunk beds with sheet curtains across each one. Hmmmm, could this be it? Oh, yes! But we met some neat kids there, ( oh did I mention that hostels are most often used by those who are in their early 20's) from Austrailia, England and the US. Then we hit the streets of Kyoto's Gion district, got to see some Gieshas and that was pretty cool, also got to taste some Japanese beer and guess what it tasted like? Yeah, you guessed it .........beer. LOL! Back to the hostel for a nights rest. I got to sleep in the bottom bunk. But we were toasty and warm and it was a bed after all and most reasonably priced at 1500 yen. Up early the next morning saw us well on our way to seeing the sights. Several hours and a couple of blisters later, we hailed a taxi and went to see the Golden Pavilion (pictures to be posted later). It was totally awesome and the foliage here is at its peak. What a visual experience.
Then a hurried trip around a few shops before heading back to the hostel to get our luggage, go to the train station to make our way to Hiroshima. This time we were smarter and had the directions to our next hostel already translated. I had my own little room this time.....and it was small. No heat in the room, but had a nice electric blanket. The next morning we headed to the Peace Park and I have to say it was the highlight of the trip, tremendously moving and it was something to see the monuments there.
Well, I am on my way to Akishima in the morning, hope to be able to post again there.
I sure miss every one, keep thinking of you and how the holiday went, wonder if everyone got plenty of turkey!

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Photos

Shopping in Japan
Gosh you could be in the US, buying bread just like this, fresh and warm from the oven.

The baker
Gosh you could be in the US, buying bread just like this, fresh and warm from the oven.

College students
Some cute guys on the college campus!

A typical temple
One of many temples we were able to see.

Bonsai
How about a 150 year old pine tree?

Comments

[Kayla]

Just a taste?
haha.. I doubt that you only had just a taste.. oh come on now.. haha.. Im joking with you. It sounds like you are having a great time! Learn a lot and have fun!