Kyoto was great! I chose a really cool hostel with kimono capsule beds. They actually had kimono of different
colours and designs attached to the outside and even a sliding
paper-screen door for privacy. And
let me tell you – the shower facilities were amazing!
By this time in my trip I am tired and in pain. But again, I am travelling alone so I
can go at my own pace. Day 1 was
raining like crazy so I hung back for a while and later set out to find food
and take in the city. Nothing
interesting happened; usual food, usual stores, usual, usual, usual. OH! But I saw a Maiko in Gion District.
The next day, however, was what I had planned this
trip for. I was going to
Kiyomizu-dera. I had been planning
this trip for months and was not disappointed even when I got there and one of
the buildings was covered with scaffolding and ugly, grey sheets. This place was crazy busy but not as
busy as it was in the fall. I
walked around and checked out the many areas. One area was known for love; Jishu Shrine. There are 2 large rocks 30ft apart and
if you can make it from one to the other with your eyes closed you will be
lucky in love…I did not do it…sigh :)
There was a bucket of water and very thin pieces of
paper shaped like a person beside it.
If you wrote your desire on it and put the paper in the water it would
immediately dissolve and your desire would come true. I asked for the clarity to make a decision and I really
believe it worked. Plus it was
super-cool to watch the paper-man dissolve in .2 secs.
Keep walking, keep walking. Came to a path that led to Koyasu Pagoda – the 3 story
orange structure. A visit to this
is said to bring an easy and safe childbirth. Just as well as I failed to secure my luck in love…The
pagoda was grand and beautiful and a very sweet couple asked if I could take
their picture for them. Of course
I obliged and then they insisted they take one for me! They were so sweet with
all their compliments :)
Walking, walking, walking and I come to the Otowa Waterfall. This is where a stream runs over a
structure in 3 streams into a pool below.
You take cups attached to long, metal rods and fill it with water from
one of the streams. You can rinse
your hands and drink from it (the cups are sanitized each time with a UV light
box). Each stream is said to have
different benefits – longevity, success at school, and a fortunate love
life. Not sure which one I drank
out of :)
And that was it. I walked around some more contemplating a snack when
lo-and-behold: kagi gori!
Strawberry please :) Delish. Oh, and walking down the long road to the bus a group of junior high school girls was walking towards me. This one girl kept saying, "Hello" (in English) to everyone and finally I answered her when she came close. She was so excited and pleased with herself for making contact in English with a foreigner. We chatted for a couple minutes and I heard her friends exclaim and giggle as I walked away. Kawaii, ne?
I hopped on a bus and made my way to Heian
Shrine. A massive shrine with a
massive torii in front. It was
surprisingly quiet and I was able to get a lot of great pics. The next day was
my last. I was meant to catch a
night bus at 10PM so I had a lot of time to spare. I had originally wanted to go to Nara to see the Great
Buddha. I had it all planned. Leave my hostel, get a locker and check
my suitcase at the station, and head out for the long journey to Nara. I would have plenty of time to catch my
train. And then…Fate…
I had bought my train ticket for Nara and was running
to catch it; I had 1 minute and Kyoto station is fucking huge (no
apologies). Just as I get down the
stairs to the open doors of the train I realized my wallet was open because I
hear change drop. I looked down
and it’s 10Y (a dime); nothing, right?
But the train is still here so I bend to pick it up and reach the doors
just in time! …for them close in my damn face. Well shit. This
is the express, which cuts the commute by 30 min. The next train is not for 15 min and that’s a local. The express doesn’t come for 30
minutes. So I get out my iPod
touch to check my options but it’s not there! Craptastic! I
rummage, I search, I empty, I throw, I have a sweaty fit. It’s not there. I know it’s not in the locker b/c I
never took it out when I got to the station. So…it’s at the hostel…I think. I find the tourist centre, pay for internet, Google the
hostel, send a quick mail, and get the number. Then I have to figure out how to use the payphone. I finally get in touch – Yataa!!!! They
had JUST found it!! So I head back
to the hostel and pick it up. I
again try to figure out my options and I have missed my window for Nara. Now what? Best afternoon ever, that’s what!
I go to this crepe place I had been eying since I got
there but never had the time to try out.
Had a wonderful galette crepe with an avocado and shrimp salad heaped on
top. And a mango smoothie to wash
it all down. Next a 30 min foot
reflexology treatment followed by an hour body massage for $62 (equiv.). Take a train over to Fushimi Inari
known for 1000 torii gates! I strolled and enjoyed the sunset over the bright
orange gates. Then I headed back
to the crepe place for Crepe Suzette (best I’ve EVER had!!!!) and took my time
back to my bus.
I don’t believe in fate but dropping that coin
changed my entire day. If I hadn’t
picked it up I would have made by train but been without my iPod – my map,
notes, translator, and all travel info.
I would’ve gone to Nara and found the Buddha eventually but trying to
fix times and just using it to plan was taken from me. Dropping that coin allowed me have an
unhurried day and get to do things I wouldn’t have been able on my original
schedule. I was able to enjoy my
day and do several things instead of ONE thing a lots of travel time.
I changed into something a little more comfortable
and endured to longest and most uncomfortable bus ride of my life! Shit! This ladies night bus? Never again! Tight seats, no leg room,
short foot rest, and no room to shift any way. Gah! Then I got dropped off close to the west exit of
Shinjuku Stn. Shinjuku Station is
massive and at 7 AM with luggage and fatigue it’s not fun to navigate. But I made it all the way back to my
place and collapsed!
All-in-all I’d say it was a successful solo
trip. I was in pain throughout the
whole time. I had stomach pain
(which I’d had for a couple weeks prior to leaving – definitely stress
related), calf pain, back pain, and a headache. I was trying to decide future options and what’s best for
me. I made those decisions.
Despite the pain and stress I climbed a mountain, pushed my body even more than usual, tried new foods,
took amazing pictures, found out more about myself, experienced kindness from several strangers, did things on my terms, and
made a big decision I have yet to regret.
I am definitely looking forward to what’s coming next.
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