Konichiwa from Kyoto

Logistics first:
- I just realized I had comments locked down... its open to all now so feel free to post away
- Still no Internet access for my phone so no pictures yet, although I just noticed the computer I'm using might have a way to connect it, so there's a chance I might be able to get some up if I have a spot of time in the morning before we head on to Hiroshima...

Kyoto:
Ignoramious that I am, I knew absolutely nothing about Japan before I decide to come here. I knew of Tokyo and wanted to go there. I figured Hiroshima would be an interesting spot. But all the tours I looked at spent hardly any time in Tokyo and more time in some place called Kyoto which I thought very strange and perhaps even annoying.

Now I understand why. Edumacation is a thing good.

Kyoto was the Imperial capital before it moved to Tokyo, and it has shrines and temples coming out the ying-yang. At least as much, possibly even more so, than Europe has churches. Look up 'things to do in Kyoto' and guaranteed the top 10 will be temples, shrines, or castles. I suspect one could stay here an entire month and still not have seen them all.

We took in the Golden Temple, Daikaito Zen Garden, Chiochi Temple and Kuyamuzu Temple, each one quite the experience. I probably completely butchered those last 3, but I've left my notes in my hotel room so I can't remember their correct names. The Golden Temple you've likely seen before in pictures, even I had. But again, no picture does it justice, not even the really good ones. Beautiful is the only word that came to mind.

The real highlight for me today though was hanging out in Gion. It was the first real city area I've seen that was completely modern, with quaint little streets and shops. Kinda like Europe, except Asian. I could have spent a week there just meandering. We wandered back at dusk as we'd been told you might get lucky and spot an official Geisha. We did, and Geisha-spotting became something of a game all evening. Quite addictive at that to be honest... although admittedly it lost some appeal once we realized it wasn't quite as rare and difficult as we were led to believe. Jolly good fun though, a definite highlight of the tour thus far.

I've heard it said that if you only have time for 1 city in Japan, make it Kyoto. After today, I have to whole-heartedly agree. I'll see if that holds up for the rest of the trip, but this may have been my most enjoyable day of the trip thus far. Nothing quite as amazing as the ryokan, but just a great day of touring with the group, free time to explore on our own, and the ambiance of what felt more Asian than Western. I think I finally felt like I'd left the busyness of life and schedules behind today, and have begun to just live and be again.

Sianara,
Greg

PS. I got talking with one of our guides, Aussie Charlie, today and found out he had been a successful financial analyst before a charitable fund-raising trip to Cambodia changed his life and he resigned to do this and 3rd world volunteer work instead... not to scare anyone back in the office... just saying...