I started with waking up early, packing most of my stuff, and then going to breakfast. Similar to my previous two days, but I tried some of the pickled things I hadn't tried before (I really feel obligated to at least try everything I can). I think I had some sea cucumber, if I remember my previous experience correctly. Good taste, weird texture. And then I had this round red pickle thing, which, when I put in my mouth I realized was a cherry. Only it was extra bitter and pickled. Woo boy!
Anyway, after breakfast I ventured over to the Yushima shrine right near my Tokyo hotel and found some amazing buildings (more photo fodder), and got to watch and hear morning prayers from monks (I'm guessing). It was lovely. The fact that this is smack in the midst of all of these tall modern buildings directly overhead, practically, makes it all the more impressive.
Some of my fav shots:
Monks(?) in prayer in the shrine:
Back of the shrine:
Me by some of the many, many chrysanthemums. And by the way, how awesome of a tradition is this to have so many flowers and bonsai outside your shrine?
Cutest girl in the whole wide world, front and back:
The old and the new in Tokyo:
In related news, I'm getting extra practiced at composition... Some of my photos will look great on my walls at home!
After wandering the temple for a bit, I went back to the hotel to finish packing and hang out for a while. My previous few days left me quite tired (as did staying up late and waking up early). But then I was on my way to the train station to catch the bullet train.
While waiting for the train on the platform, I couldn't help but marvel at the astounding efficiency of the system. I got there about 20 minutes early and the train pulled in shortly thereafter. An army of women in pink went in to clean, and they immediately turned all of the seats around, changed the head-rest covers, dusted, and who knows what else, all within 8-10 minutes. We were let on the train and from my seat I could see that the conductor outside the train, who was announcing and giving signals, was actually watching a clock. At 12:32 and 45 seconds (we were scheduled to leave at 12:33), he was ready to give the go. Then some guy asked if this was his train, so the conductor had to wait, but with that delay we left the station at 12:33 and 37 seconds. Crazy!
The train ride itself was very nice. It's fun to go so fast, though when another Shinkansen goes by, the air pressure wave shakes the whole train and that's a bit startling. And there's a large amount of time in tunnels under mountains. I suppose this makes sense, but I hadn't thought about it before. But I got some fun shots of the countryside, including Mt. Fuji! Didn't get a good shot of the tea farm fields, but I saw plenty of them. Also, before getting on the train I purchased a bento box, and it was so much fun to unwrap it like a gift when I was ready to eat it. It was a ton of food and it was all delicious. And hooray for another bean paste bun! I love those things. My other fav might have been the pumpkin. Delicious.
Mt. Fuji:
Bento Box insides (though the outsides and first open pics are also pretty!):
Once in Kyoto, I found a taxi and he brought me to my hotel. It's a new hotel and we had some trouble finding the entrance on the street, but once inside, I could see why it was a "boutique" hotel. The ladies ushered me in, took my bags, offered me refreshments while I checked in, and then took me to the salon, where I had an amazing cappucino, and got some tourist guidance. I spoke to a nice couple from DC for a bit before coming up to my amazing room and getting a tour of the fancy stuff. The service has been incredible and the decor is gorgeous, too. I'll try to remember this when I'm crashing in hostels in New Zealand!
The salon:
My cappucino (the foam is so thick, you could probably put a book on it, or support a small gnome):
Room shots:
Some other random thoughts from my time so far:
- Apparently people don't sit down here. There's almost no benches anywhere, including in big areas of train stations and parks. So annoying when your feet hurt! Or am I supposed to sit on my knees?
- The Tokyo subway is really easy to get around in. Plus the whole efficiency thing. I don't think I waited more than 3 minutes for any train I took anywhere! I did eventually get a photo in the subway, but not with a huge crowd of people. I think one of the best parts is that they so clearly label which direction each platform is going. Thanks, Tokyo!
- The weather has been astounding. Yesterday it was so warm that I walked around in short sleeves most of the day. Today in both Tokyo and Kyoto it was just very pleasant out. I feel very fortunate! But I wish I had ditched some of my warmer clothes. I thought I would need more long sleeves...
- I'm obviously obsessed with buildings, which isn't new. And particularly cool architecture of new stuff, and then how very old buildings are put together. As to stairs and windows, that in particular is related to work interests. But the rest of the photos of buildings are all my own obsession.
- Favorite moments with Rumi: She created a Mii of me on her Nintendo DS, and she already had one of my mom. So cute, the little Mii's speak Japanese! Also, she demonstrated a Japanese smile versus and American smile. Very funny!
Now I'm watching Columbo in Japanese. I'll quickly learn how to say, "Just one more thing..." :P
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