Japan - Kyoto - Day one

About 4 hours on a high speed train to Kyoto and we were there. Serena introduced me to the box lunch, train station style, which was the intro to the new diet we chose to indulge in for most of the trip.
Before long it would became apparent that this was to be a "foody" based vacation. I was obsessed with photographing everything and Serena was obsessed with food products and cuisine. I think we covered our part of the country very well.

Serena in her element, seventh heaven!

We had a "must do" list for each stop over on the trip. Temples, gardens, markets and onsens (hot springs) Gion (geisha) and Samurai districts. Kyoto is renown for it's over 1600 beautiful temples and grounds. The Philosopher's Walk sounded like a good place to start. This relaxing area is east of the city in the wooded foothills.


We explored the Ginkakuji Temple grounds at north of the path

and the Nanenzi Temple at the south end

Since our command of the language was, to say the least, limited, we chose to hoof it all over the city covering I'm sure over five miles the first day. Nervous about finding a meal at the end of the day and hoping to find pictures with prices, we fell into a soba bar that appeared quite lively with a young clientel. We followed the lead of a young couple next to us and enjoyed a large bowl of noodles with all the toppings in front of us. The girl next to me was soooo friendly and anxious to try out a few words in English that she emptied her purse trying to share her mp3 player, candy, lipstick, perfume and hairpins. We made a quick exit when we could and were relieved that she didn't follow us back to the ryokan.

Home sweet home



Text and pictures © 2008 Mona E. Dunn