Leaving Kyoto (Bob)

We couldn't leave Kyoto without having sushi at least once.  We found a sushi train at Kyoto Station (how appropriate).  It was a real factory, servicing all of the tired commuters.  But it was very good.  We had lots of eel, maguro, and other things not readily identified.  We also had a clam miso.  Delicious.  We both staggered away, stuffed, and paid 2400 yen (about 24 dollars).  What a deal.

We were stopped by an elderly man just outside of the train station, who asked us to review a translation from Kanji to English.  Many pages worth.  He was most polite and grateful.  Another only in Japan experience.  His biggest problem was the phrase "stand on your own two feet".  We had to make it clear that he needed "feet" rather than "legs", and that "own" was an important part of the phrase.  It went on a little long, but it was very enjoyable.

Gion and Pontocho was a good experience.  I'd never been to Pontocho-what an interesting alley.  LOTS of bars and small side alleys that led to even more bars and jazz joints.  There were lots of women dressed in traditional garb, but we saw only one Meiko (geisha), with her face painted a stark white.

As usual, it's been a great experience.  The people have been so friendly to the stupid westerners.  Gary couldn't get over how clean the taxicabs were; and, of course, the driver all wore white gloves.  Some wore only one, keeping their money changing had undraped, which we assumed was to keep the glove clean.

We saw lots of shrines and temples, of course.  Higashi Hongon-ji, one of my favorites, was almost completely draped in metal for reconstruction.  I was sorry Gary didn't get to see the main gate, which is massive and beautiful.  Eikan-do was especially good.  It was quiet, serene, and the gardens were very nice.  The last time I saw this temple was in late July in extreme heat.  This was a much nicer experience, plus I was about to collapse from heat exhaustion.

We only visited Mr. Takeda's yakitori establishment once, thanks to Gary's inquisitive culinary curiousity.  He did turn down a fugu (puffer fish) dinner in Gion, but it was kind of pricey.  I guess he didn't want to mess with nerve toxins.  I was tempted, though, but I'm that kind of guy.

Tomorrow we're off on the Shinkansen to Tokyo.  I'm not ready for the hugeness, but we've scheduled a day trip to Mt. Fuji, so we'll get out of the city for a while.

I'm ready for a box spring.  I really like K's House, but the beds are essentially futons.  I haven't slept in a bunk bed for ages.  It's a lot harder these days for me to get up to the top bunk.  At least we stayed at the Radisson in Narita when we first arrived, so we could get rested from the plane trip before we tackled Tokyo Station and the trip to Kyoto.  Plus, at $85 a night for a resort level hotel, it was a real bargain.