Kamakura

     I visited Kamakura this weekend.  Kamakura is known as little Kyoto b/c of the many shrines, buildings, etc.  I've never been to Kyoto but my friend who has says it's a pretty accurate likeness.  Kamakura was one of my favourite excursions so far and I am itching to go back!
     When we arrived we spoke to a lady at information to ask what would be the best places to hit up.  She told us a few but was SO quiet we could barely hear her and left wondering if we can figure out where the hell to go, hahaha!  Who whispers at a tourist info booth?!?  At any rate we found the right bus and travelled to Hakokuji Temple.  The moment we passed under the gates a hush fell and it seemed so removed from the busy streets with buses not 100m away.  It was lush green with trees, grasses, stone steps, stone statues, ponds.  So serene.  We climbed the steps to the temple but weren't allowed to enter.  So we moved on to the bamboo garden - amazing! We were blown away.  Never have I seen such a forest!  Tall, tall trees, skinny like an arm straight to the sky.  Light grey in colour and bright green at the top that let in streams of sunlight.  I was in heaven and didn't want to leave.  We continued along the path and saw some caves that were no longer available to trek to.  The caves were shallow and had all these stone statues in them.  It looked really cool and I regret that I couldn't get any closer.  We walked the forest again :) and followed our noses to the wonderful scents of the burning incense from the cemetery a few feet away.  I'm not a fan of cemeteries at all at home - they creep me out.  But these are incredible!
     There are stone plots after stone plots right next to each other.  Some of them were ancient and some were obviously new that probably replaced the broken ones.  There were offerings of incense, sake, and even a lit cigarette.  The place was huge and surrounded by trees.  As we walked further our breath was taken away again and again.  So many plots with so much detail and care. In the back were steep stairs leading to more plots of the levels of stairs with a backdrop of trees.
     What's really amazing and I found so touching is that the living family members (mostly the older generation) come and take care of the plots.  The cemetery provides buckets, water, scrubbers, etc. for use by the family.  They come and fill up the buckets and scrub down the stone, replace the incense.  This one old lady was so hunched and carrying 2 buckets and had already gone thru 2 more.  She was working so hard and her daughter was there holding a baby and I just wanted to go help.  I didn't b/c I felt it would be intrusive but it would've been nice.  We didn't want to leave and all I wanted was to stay and read a book.  Weird I know, b/c it's a cemetery but you'd feel the same.
     Then we made our way to Kotokuin Temple, home of the Great Buddha.  He's a bronze statue 36 ft tall.  Pretty impressive.  we went in and again were just in awe.  He was so majestic against the blue sky.  Also, and my friend said the same, he almost looked fake - like made out of cardboard or something.  Maybe b/c the sky was so blue and the statue was such a contrast but it was weird.  It was really cool to look at.
     Side note - from the side angle looking up at his eyes it reminded me of the Oracles in The Neverending Story.  He had the same slightly sharp and open eyelid.  I thought it was cool!
     Then I had the BEST kakigori since Okayama Gardens - the old machines are the best!  We walked along the street for a while to get to Hasedera Temple.  The stores are really interesting.  The buildings are so old and unique looking.  The stores are so varied - there were tiny little stores so old and hardly shopped in and other stores with NICE clothes, expensive wares, and gag gifts. So contrasting!
     We made it to the temple but we had JUST missed it b/c it closed 15 min earlier.  The shrines close so early - 4 or 5.  We were disappointed but I'm planning on going back soon - it's not far.
     Funny story:  On the bus back my friend sat beside a young woman that wanted to practice her English and started talking to my friend.  She asked where she was from and how old she was.  Then she started wracking her brains for things she could say to my friend to find a common ground.  It was really funny to listen to.  Out of no where she said she liked Leonardo Dicaprio and Titanic.  Then she said she really liked gospel music and started naming some songs.  THEN she said she liked Kirk Franklin!!!! How does she know about him? I guess if you like gospel you like K.F!   Too funny! 
     When we left the bus I found a yummy "German" bakery that I dragged my friend to and I had sample of the sponge cake with orange camembert in it! Scrumptious!!!! I bought 2 little cakes (the size of my palm) and they were so cheap.  My friend bought Sutoroberi Shotokeki - strawberry shortcake.
     All in all a great day!!! Can't wait to go back!