running behind

I'm sorry, i'm running behind...very behind on my blog. I haven't even finished my Japan blog and so much is happening already. My birthday, dad/grandpa's visit, halloween.... and now is nano wrimo... I have to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of Nov. I'll return to reality soon...promise!

My trip to Japan,...Kyoto

Katie and I had a nice relaxing train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Ironically, during this trip, we were both reading the same book, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo so that is pretty funny I think. We stayed at K's House Hostel in Kyoto. This hostel was recommended to me by several people so I was glad we booked early. I've noticed that the older I get, the less willing I am to pay to stay in a mixed dorm room with 12 people. We opted for the 4 person room and were very happy we did. When we arrived there were 2 people there from San Sebastian, Spain (the Basque country. I got a lesson in history talking to them). They were very nice. It still reminded me why hostels are still a great way to go sometimes. So Katie and I got a great first nights rest and were ready to take on Kyoto.
Our first day there, we were hoping to rent bicycles. We'd noticed in Osaka, that EVERYONE rode bicycles. We both absolutely loved that. Our hostel rented bikes out and the rumor was that it was supposed to rain, so we wanted to get an early start...but the bikes were all sold out. So we walked instead. The first place we walked to was Kiyomizu Temple, which turned out to be one of my favorite places we visited. I really enjoyed this Temple. It was about 20 minutes from our hostel, up a hill, that once again had a lot of souvenir shopping and yummy snacks. The Temple was really beautiful. Since it was on a hill, it's surrounded by tons of greenery around. The first thing we noticed once we walked around a bit was this room people were going into. You take off your shoes (naturally because we're in Asia) and put them in a bag that you carry with you. You enter this dark dark room. You leave all your attachments at the door. Anything that you worry about or that you carry with you, leave at the door. you walk through this completely pitch dark room/maze. There are beads along the wall that you follow with your hands. Then in the middle, after a few minutes, you see this stone. Make a wish, and turn the stone. And as you walk out, you surprisingly feel A LOT better! :) I actually really enjoyed that. So more walking around meant seeing the black buddha statue...black? what? Yes, black. I don't know anything about this or understand but it's quite funny. And then another shrine with incense coming out of it (it smelled so good :) ). Next stop in the Temple was the love and matchmaking section... perfect for me, right? :) (just kidding...kinda). Yes a whole section in the Temple devoted to love. Here, I am standing in the entrance way and when you walk in, there is a statue of a Japanese God who is in charge of love and good matches (as the sign says) and the rabbit beside him is his messenger. Apparently, I should keep my eye out for more rabbits. The area was packed with women, packed with couples. There was a lot to see!! And of course, everyone wants to find love. One of my favorite things (also most hilarious) was the Love Stone. There are 2 stone about 50 feet from each other or so. You are supposed to touch one stone, and then walk with our eyes closed to the other stone. I did this successfully :) (with Katie's help so I didn't completely clobber other people in my path). So hopefully that is good luck in love for me! There were a lot of little things like this to do. Another one involved rubbing the head of this little man gnome thing. They keep it simple, if I pat this little dude, then my prayers will be answered. So we walked around the grounds more. It really was gorgeous. I loved that it was up a mountain a bit so we had a good view and the green trees of fall around it were gorgeous.
On the way back down from the Temple, Katie and I stopped to have green tea floats... green tea with peach ice cream and ice... it may have been one of the most incredible things ever in my current life lol. It was phenomeonal!! Perfect for a hot day (and yes I mean VERY hot!!!)


GOING TO WORK... more later....