2/12/2010 ? Kyoto

An early rise, lead to an early breakfast and the beginning of a fabulous day in Kyoto. I went out to the Kobe port terminal to meet the SAS group going to Kyoto. When I boarded the bus I saw a girl from my global studies group and we were bus buddies for the trip.

Our first stop was Kinkaku-ji (the Golden  Pavilion). Here I got to see beautiful craftsmanship and scenery. I also saw a 600-year-old pine that has been pruned and shaped with bamboo supports.

Our next stop was Nijo Castle (built in 1603) where the Tokugawa Shogun lived. The castles interior rooms were screens of gold leaf with paintings of tigers, hawks, pines, and cherry blossoms depending on the use of the room. Inside the castle was also a nightingale floor. The floors would squeak in a lyrical fashion as people walked down the hall. This was a security feature so no one could sneak in and kill the Shogun or the Emperor.  

We took some time in Gion Corner, Kyotos downtown area. This is where the Geisha were housed and trained. Now there are many shops and it is a commercial center. The Gion area was neat because it was a mix of old Japan with the new modern work/consumer mentality. We needed to find a restroom, so we found a Starbucks. I was very proud of myself and remembered the word for toilet (toy re) and how to ask “where is the -----“ (------ wa doko desuka). I remembered, I asked, and the lady understood! That was a triumphant moment.

Our final stop was Kiyomizu Temple. This is a Buddhist temple in the hills behind Kyoto. The Temple was beautiful and very large. There were multiple buildings and shrines. There is a fountain below with three spigots of flowing water from three different mountain springs. You could pay money to drink the water. It is said that one of the springs is health, the middle one gives wealth, and the third offers wisdom. However, if you drink all three you are just greedy.

When I returned from Kyoto it was dinnertime. Erin and Elena were still on a trip to Gion Corner and they would return at about 10pm. I ran into my friend Michael (the second) and we decided to go out to dinner with a group to of people, then head back to the ship to get Erin and Elena. We went out to a place where you eat around the grill and a very talented cook prepares the meal right in front of you (I know this has a specific name, I just can’t think of it at the moment). Michael and I split a meal of Kobe beef. It was amazing and melted in your mouth. So I can now say that I ate Kobe Beef in Kobe.