Osaka and now Kyoto. Without a doubt this is the most civilized culture and population I have come across to date. There is a right way and a wrong way. Clean and respectful represent two of the most characteristic traits of a society that embraces humanity and fellow mankind. I won't jay walk for fear of being frowned upon by both locals and officials in uniform and littering is strictly out of the question. Our guide Manabu had a mild coronary when he spotted a piece of paper on the floor of the subway station.
The weather has been cool with some rain but sunny for the most part. Kyoto is akin in part, to the Amsterdam of the far east. Not in terms of number of canals but certainly in terms of unique beauty especially in this renewal of spring flowers and blossoms. Must see locations are in abundance as we have taken in the Unesco World Heritage site: the Golden Kinkakuji Temple, a sake brewery and the Fushimi Inari Shrine with all it's orange gates and shrines. I have learned the Shinto way of prayer. An offering with a ringing of the bell, combined with a bow, hand clapping and prayer for a friend whom I just found out is gravely ill at home. see video
It has not been a tour in the traditional sense of taking a tour bus with driver and guide, going to a new area everyday. All of the transportation is done by public means. Bus, subway, train. And Manabu has led us about, but with his direction we wonder about on our own discovering the nightlife and unique dining experiences.
We came for the cherry and plum blossoms and have not been disappointed. A walk through the Bamboo forest with it's surrounding gardens was a delight and it was great fun to interact with some of the locals dressed in traditional Geisha dresses and masks. Scroll down for some good pics. I thank them for allowing me to have pictures taken with them and reward them with Canada pins I bring along for good foreign relations. The young people truly embrace their culture and it makes for colourful walkabouts.
Sayonara
The weather has been cool with some rain but sunny for the most part. Kyoto is akin in part, to the Amsterdam of the far east. Not in terms of number of canals but certainly in terms of unique beauty especially in this renewal of spring flowers and blossoms. Must see locations are in abundance as we have taken in the Unesco World Heritage site: the Golden Kinkakuji Temple, a sake brewery and the Fushimi Inari Shrine with all it's orange gates and shrines. I have learned the Shinto way of prayer. An offering with a ringing of the bell, combined with a bow, hand clapping and prayer for a friend whom I just found out is gravely ill at home. see video
It has not been a tour in the traditional sense of taking a tour bus with driver and guide, going to a new area everyday. All of the transportation is done by public means. Bus, subway, train. And Manabu has led us about, but with his direction we wonder about on our own discovering the nightlife and unique dining experiences.
We came for the cherry and plum blossoms and have not been disappointed. A walk through the Bamboo forest with it's surrounding gardens was a delight and it was great fun to interact with some of the locals dressed in traditional Geisha dresses and masks. Scroll down for some good pics. I thank them for allowing me to have pictures taken with them and reward them with Canada pins I bring along for good foreign relations. The young people truly embrace their culture and it makes for colourful walkabouts.
Sayonara
How’s the sushi?
ReplyDeleteraw and cold :)
DeleteJennifer is matching the blossoms with her pretty jacket!
ReplyDeleteOf course. It's all about the pre trip planning :)Wait till you see the fall jacket she picked out.
Deletere: Canada pins. Little shot bottles of maple syrup probably woulda gone over real well too!
ReplyDeletePut Cathy in your distribution list. She'll enjoy the blossoms. Her email is CathyTrottier1@sympatico.ca.
Must be enjoying the sushi? Your camera looks like a Canon T1. I had one of those.
;-)
Cathy is already on my list and should have been getting the updates ?????
DeleteNope it is a Nikon D5300. The syrup would be a good idea but weight restrictions and security would make that a little less likely.
ReplyDelete