Temples, Geishas and out of this world food!

Trip Start May 31, 2007

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Trip End May 20, 2008

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Flag of Japan Kyoto, Kinki, Japan
Sunday, May 11, 2008

The flight from Dubai to Osaka was uneventful as I slept most of the way, woke up for breakfast and then deplaned into an almost empty sparkling airport. Took the JR train to Kyoto, lugged way too many bags (I did some shopping in Delhi) and moved as quickly as possible in the rain to the taxi stand. The driver looked slightly alarmed at first...perhaps not wanting or knowing how to speak English...but then the door opened automatically and I pushed my bags and then myself into the cab. Checked into the hotel and then caught up and had an amazing dinner with my uncle who lives in Kyoto. It was a Saturday night and the streets were fairly empty...of course my last frame of reference was India which never seems to stop.

Met my uncle again in the am and we had a quick breakfast of coffee and bread at a local bakery and then headed downtown on the train. We parted ways and I set off towards the Gion part of town where a number of interesting temples and shrines are located. Ran into loads of Geisha and as the morning went on, loads of locals and other tourists although I didn't see too many westerners. Started at Yasaka-Jinja Shrine then on to Maruyama Park, Kodaiji Temple, Ryozen-Gokuku-jinju Shrine (a tribute to the unknown soldiers who perished in WWII), and Kiyomizu Temple (amazing views!).

Took public transport to the other end of town to see some other temples: Rokuon-ji Temple aka the Golden Pavilion or Kinkakuji, Ryoanji Temple (famous for the rock garden) and with about 5 minutes to spare saw some of the Ninnanji Temple and adjacent Rengeji Temple. After photographing some Buddhas, I walked through an immaculate neighborhood with compact houses and cars and then got on the train and bus back to my hotel. I think all of the students that had been at Ryoanji were on the same bus with me!

Tonight, I'm planning to soak in really hot water in my Japanese style tub and then go out to dinner with my uncle. My feet are killing me!! Tomorrow I will head off to Tokyo for one night before flying out to Oahu...almost home.

Here are some pictures from the day:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115056&l=d2468&id=658590573