A Day in the Life...
Its 8am and everyone else in the room i was sharing is awake. In a dorm room at the Costa Del Sol guesthouse, Kyoto, Japan, I linger in bed catching a last glimpse of the familiar faces in my dreams and then im up. it looks like it might snow today so I bundled up. After a brisk walk through the tiny alley ways i make my way to the pastry shop on the corner for a warm croissant. Im off to the bus stop to catch the next bus to Ginkakuji temple. Wow. I am stunned at how simple, perfect and real this place feels. Im searching for words that could do a zen garden justice, but im at a loss right now. i:ll post some pictures. Slowly strolling on the paths i soak it all in. the patterns, the patience, the coexistence, the integrity.
Ok...the day is geting warmer and its time to start walking on Tetsugaku-no-michi (Philospher's Path). Its a 6km long stone path along an old aquaduct where 20th century philosopher Nishida Ditaro is said to have meandered along the path "lost in thought." I can feel why. Several of the side streets are littered with little shops and of course i visit each one, but i have yet to buy anything. I visit several other temples and a few shrines that are short walk from the path- Anrakuji Temple, Nyakuoji Shrine, Eikando Temple...to name a few. The sounds of slurpling and the scent of hot soup lure me into a little Udon house with enough seats for about 10 people. SO GOOD! Next temple is Nanzen-ji, probably my favorite one. I spent several hours wandering around, following the waterways. It starts to flurry with some afternoon snow. priceless.
The sun starts to set and i notice the path is lined with lanterns. Just my luck, its the last day of the festival of lanterns. Walking down the stone laiden street Jingu-michi, i spot a businessman accompanied by a geisha. hmm, once again hard to think of words to describe such a special and beautiful sight. I pass the strikingly lit Yasaka Shrine and tower and make my way to the heart of downtown Kyoto- Gion. Huge boulevards, neon, lanterns, shops, PEOPLE! in between the main streets are the old little alley ways that twist and wind around. I notice another geisha flip flopping her way down the street to an appointment.
I subway it back to the hostel where the hostel manager and his buddy are about to go get some Ramen. perfect timing. We pile in his old VW Bug and listen to Janis Joplin on our way there. I LOVE RAMEN....not the cup of soup style, im talking about the real deal. we waited in line outside the small restaurant for 15 min before we were sat. im hooked.
back at the hostel im in the mood for a bath. Around the corner is the Hakusan-yu Sento (public bath house). I pay my 370￥and take my time in the different tubs and sauna. When i walked into the sento, it was like the women in there had seen a ghost. i think i am the only blonde that has EVER stepped into that place. I just ignored the stares and relaxed while reflecting on my day.
and the lights are out by 1am. phew!
Ok...the day is geting warmer and its time to start walking on Tetsugaku-no-michi (Philospher's Path). Its a 6km long stone path along an old aquaduct where 20th century philosopher Nishida Ditaro is said to have meandered along the path "lost in thought." I can feel why. Several of the side streets are littered with little shops and of course i visit each one, but i have yet to buy anything. I visit several other temples and a few shrines that are short walk from the path- Anrakuji Temple, Nyakuoji Shrine, Eikando Temple...to name a few. The sounds of slurpling and the scent of hot soup lure me into a little Udon house with enough seats for about 10 people. SO GOOD! Next temple is Nanzen-ji, probably my favorite one. I spent several hours wandering around, following the waterways. It starts to flurry with some afternoon snow. priceless.
The sun starts to set and i notice the path is lined with lanterns. Just my luck, its the last day of the festival of lanterns. Walking down the stone laiden street Jingu-michi, i spot a businessman accompanied by a geisha. hmm, once again hard to think of words to describe such a special and beautiful sight. I pass the strikingly lit Yasaka Shrine and tower and make my way to the heart of downtown Kyoto- Gion. Huge boulevards, neon, lanterns, shops, PEOPLE! in between the main streets are the old little alley ways that twist and wind around. I notice another geisha flip flopping her way down the street to an appointment.
I subway it back to the hostel where the hostel manager and his buddy are about to go get some Ramen. perfect timing. We pile in his old VW Bug and listen to Janis Joplin on our way there. I LOVE RAMEN....not the cup of soup style, im talking about the real deal. we waited in line outside the small restaurant for 15 min before we were sat. im hooked.
back at the hostel im in the mood for a bath. Around the corner is the Hakusan-yu Sento (public bath house). I pay my 370￥and take my time in the different tubs and sauna. When i walked into the sento, it was like the women in there had seen a ghost. i think i am the only blonde that has EVER stepped into that place. I just ignored the stares and relaxed while reflecting on my day.
and the lights are out by 1am. phew!
posted by Cory at 12:34 PM
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