New Years Eve!

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Jeffs flight yesterday was cancelled and it seem to have pushed him back 24hrs. So he wont be coming in til later today. In fact within the next hour plus his plane should be landing, but there is no airport in Kyoto, so he will be coming from Osaka which is almost 2hours away (by shuttle). Its ok, cause I heard of some great place to hang out, Heian Shrine I think is the name- have it marked on my map. Seems like everyone likes to go to Shrines, we hear the gongs beat so many times, then I think you head off in the streets and start drinking. Fun! (I also heard something about people throwing money?!)

Well, yesterday I had to go from hostel to hotel. Where Im at now is no loner in central Gion but a few blocks south of the Imperial Palace. Very nice place, very nice location. So yesterday after I checked out, I did the path of the Gion Temples and made it all the way back to the place where you get to go walk down that tunnel in the dark! Ive been through there, mostly the shopping area, but havent really visited the shrines. It was cool, cause finally I got to see that big Buddha!! You also get to the climb the stairs and enter the inside which has about 12 little shrines inside each with its own Buddha and each ther represens a Zodiac Animal. Kinda cool. Also, Ive seen at many places that you can donate some money and in return you get to write on a stick of wood. On this stick you write your wishes and the stick will be burned as an offering to the Buddha (yours and many more) so that your wishes may come true. I thought, at least why not?

After all that, I check out of the nice hostel ive been at for 6 or 7 days, and move on the my new hotel. Wow, I had bought so many gifts that all my stuf was super heavy and after making it down one long road, I called for a taxi to help me the rest of the way.

As for today, I started off with a nice breakfact from the hotel. They offer a more Japanese style breakfast and I havent really had that yet, so that was pretty interesting. It had soup, fish, tofu (with a burning fire underneath!), grapefruit, vegies, egg, rice, and Im sure other things. I prolly drank more tea then anything.

Afterwards I make my way west side of Kyoto and visit the Kankiku ji temple (I think thats the name). Its amazing! Its a temple on the side of a small lake, with zen garden all around it, and the 2nd and 3rd stories are covered in gold! Not real gold, I think its a Golden Leaf or something, but its breathtaking to say the least. The gardens and walk way around it are really neat too. After a small while I stop and have some powered green tea and small snack. Yuck, didnt like the tea, very bitter, in fact I couldnt even finish it. But, still glad for the experience.

I head south for a little while and see more temples. I walk into a wonderful zen garden, and on the way out you get to take the bamboo path. Not as long as I was hoping for, but still really neat. I beat it would look even better at nightfall.

I eat some lunch, and head back. Now im in my hotel waiting for Jeff and will prolly look for a place to eat dinner and get ready for the New Years. Sucky part: its been the coldest in Kyoto that its been my whole trip, the strong and frequent winds didnt help. But at least its nice and warm in my hotel!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

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Photos

Big Buddha
Right close to the Yasaka Shrine!

Japanese Style Breakfast!
Theres some rice and soup that didnt make it into the picture!

Kinkaku-ji Temple
Surrounded by a Zen garden, this is truely one of the best cites to see in Kyoto, Japan!

Throw money into the middle bowl..
and may your wish come true!

Comments

[jen]

i hope jeff gets there safe and soon!! i was just thinking i would call you and talk to you. but i guess your phone not working ;) !!