So safely back in the country after a weekend trip to the bright lights of Kyoto. Nice to go and visit a city for once, and to
hang out with other people, but I really do prefer the countryside.
We decided to forsake the train and travel by bus this time, since it is a bit cheaper and makes a change. We had been told the
bus stop was right near Oda station, so we cycled there and parked the bikes before becoming confused by the directions. So we
asked an old guy who was working outside the station - he said it was far and we would miss our bus! But then he sprung to the
rescue, running over to get his truck, and driving us (me sat in the back) to the stop, so we had plenty of time. Three dozy
hours later we arrived in Osaka, and caught the train to Kyoto. At the station we met Aaron, a friend of Kimberly's from
college who is also on the JET program, and Abraham, another American who was on the same study program as Kimberly when she
was in Kyoto, and who is now working as the student representative in Kyoto for Amhurst college. Abe had booked us a youth hostel
fairly near the station, so we walked there and checked in. Very tiny place, very informal - bit messy and cramped, but well heated!
Having left our bags we headed back to the station and had lunch before taking the underground to the main shopping area. After
wandering for a bit, we decided to go and play video games and warm up (Kyoto is really cold in February!). The games
place was about eight floors, with every variety of electronic entertainment. We found a mountain bike game that I had played once
before, years ago. Great fun, you get to pedal and steer the bike and race against three other riders. My biking honour was
upheld as I won twice and came third the other time after a big crash! We also raced cars, danced and played taiko before hunger
meant it was time to move on. We went to a garlic restaurant, which was good food, but we had a bit of trouble with our orders
and Kimberly and Abe being vegetarian - some plate rotation later and everyone was happy and fed! Next we went to a tiny bar
where we climbed a ladder to an even smaller loft. The entire place was covered in writing, like bathroom graffiti gone mad!
Quite a cool place though, good music and there was a tiny elevator for drinks to get up to the loft. It was getting on a bit
by the time we left, and we were pretty tired after catching the train and walking back to the hostel. Unfortunately the boy's
dormitory was right next to the living room where people were drinking and talking until the early hours. Think I managed about
three hours sleep but not too good.
Kimberly and I were up early as usual on Sunday. Aaron wanted to sleep a bit longer, so we rented some bikes and went for a
little ride before buying some food for breakfast and taking it back to the hostel to eat. Then once Aaron was up we saddled up
and rode across town to meet Abe at Amhurst house (a little bit of New England in Japan). Really biting cold - I was missing
my down jacket that served me so well in North Adams! It even snowed a bit. We hung out at Abe's for a while, had a second breakfast,
before eventually heading out to go and meet Kimberly's host mum (or mom I should say....) at her beauty salon. On the way we
went past the emperor's palace - a huge walled compound that is only open to the public once a year. The plum blossoms were starting
to come out around it though, pretty but strange seeing blossom and snow together! The cherry blossoms are amazing here later in
the spring, cherry blossom viewing is a big deal in Japan. Anyway, Kimberly's host mum was a very nice lady,
she took us out for cake and gossip, before we took our leave and headed down by the river back into town. We met Annie, another
girl from Kimberly's college currently on the study program that she and Abe did a couple of years ago, and went to eat in a
vegetarian/organic restaurant. Very good food, but I was starting to wilt from lack of sleep. So we pedaled back in the dark (
and cold....) and decided to go to the senzo (public bath) to get clean and warm up! Not quite as good as an onsen (hot spring),
but the same concept. Men and women are separate. You get undressed, then sit on a little stool and wash before soaking in the
very hot water. The Japanese are really into their bathing - even at home we have a tub that you can sit in up to you neck and
soak. A good way to get warm when there is no heating! We then went back and went to bed. I was kept awake again, particularly
by an American with a very penetrating and annoying voice, but managed about six hours sleep eventually.
Up a little later but back on the bikes a little after eight. We headed back into town and breakfasted in Mister Donut after spending
ages looking for one - the previous day it seemed like they were everywhere! Then we went and raided the International food store -
great to see all the things I have been wanting for ages, but we didn't buy too much (still spent £30 though!), I'll be home
soon enough and Kimberly has her mum bringing stocks next month! We then said farewell to Aaron who was off to look at hotels for
his parents' visit, and rode off across town to call on Kimberly's host mum and sister at home. Nice to meet them and work on
my Japanese conversation, we had tea before heading back - we had a train to catch. On the way to Osaka we decided that since we
were there we might as well take the later bus and go have a look at the city (the second largest in Japan) and check out the
electronics shops. So we found the right street and went from shop to shop looking at laptops for Kimberly and at the toys in
general. We saw Kimberly's electronic dictionary and my laptop at about half of what we paid in the US, c'est la vie. Stuff is
cheaper anyway, and with the Yen being so weak right now Kimberly will definitely be better off taking goods home rather than
cash. It didn't take too long to get shopped out, so we bought some food to eat on the bus and went home.
Back in sleepy Yakage I am very glad that Kimberly is not in a city, and also grateful that it hasn't really been all that
cold here - Kyoto really was chilly! Still, I am glad to have experienced a Japanese city. Saw lots of things that I have
only heard about - Women walking around in kimonos, love hotels (such as the Hotel Sexes - places with luxury rooms available
by the hour.....), and the public baths to name a few. Still didn't make it into a temple, but it was just too cold to be
taking shoes off! I'll get the photos up (yes we remembered to take some for once!) once I finish the film. Sayonara.