Day 98 - 6th of December

9:02am　急行
天気：曇り
Just getting on the train from Kuzuha to Tambabashi to change over to the kintetsu line for Toji temple. Carly and I are accompanied by Carly’s friend Sarah. Diego decided it would be better if he stayed home, and got his paper done. Woke up at 7, showered and did the laundry. Got money off Diego and then left. On Monday I’m going straight to the bank after classes. We walked over to seminar house 4 at about 8:20 to pick up Sarah, then onto Makino we went. On the way, we witnessed our first car accident in Japan. A van sideswiped another large vehicle; typical van driver, lol. Both stopped and got out of their cars; a younger couple were in the van, and an older man was in the other vehicle. We didn’t stick around for long (it was on the other side of the river), but it looked like the younger man was quite annoyed. We think it was the side mirror of the other car that came off. I wouldn’t blame the drivers completely though; the road is just too narrow for two cars abroad. Still, they should have both slowed down. Looking forward to a long, but rewarding day…

1:33pm　地下鉄
In the subway at kyoto station, going to 烏丸御池 (karasuma oike) where the shopping street and movie theatre are (I think)… On the subway. This morning was great. Although I didn’t buy anything at the markets (apart from a frog ornament Diego had requested), it was really cool to see so many old things; vases, clothes, coins, scrolls, and other Japaraphernalia (lol I just made a new word). Carly and Sarah only had one thing on their minds; Kimono!!! They now have many bags full. Some were so cheap though; it’s amazing. Seeing the pagoda was awesome too. It’s the largest in Japan. Regrettably, I had KFC for lunch; it wasn’t that bad I guess. From KFC we walked to Kyoto station, past an Inari shrine and an enormous shopping centre. We’re here…

8:39pm　
We’re on the train back to Makino now. I’m absolutely stuffed. Sarah took another train to Hirakata, so it’s just me and Carly... After getting to karasuma oike, we walked around for a while, trying to figure out how to get to the cinemas. On the way, we stumbled upon 六角時 (Rokkakuji – “hexagonal temple”), wedged between hotels and skyscrapers. It was beautiful temple, and there were huge white swans and koi in a pond at the back; and so many pigeons. We continued on and found a market street called 錦 (Nishiki – “fine dress’). There was so much fresh produce and it was absolutely packed with people; we squeezed our way through at a crawl. Somehow, we bumped into Sarita (quite literally in fact) from our dorm, with some of her friends; I think it’s amazing when that happens. Nishiki eventually flowed out onto the main shopping street and I soon found my bearings. We went into the 2:50 screening of New Moon, with a huge bucket of caramel popcorn. On entry, we got a free poster; wish they did that in Australia. Mind you, the tickets are quite a bit more here, so it kinda makes up for it.

I really enjoyed the movie. Overall, they did a great job. We got out at about 5 (it was already dark), and decided to go to one of the temples for “light up”. Found out that the “light up” for 知恩院 (Chionin) was already over, so we went to 高台寺 (Kodaiji) instead. But before that, we had a nice warm meal in a restaurant near Yasaka shrine on the corner of Gion. After a bit of searching, we came upon Kodaiji and it was stunning. We must have walked around for at least an hour; past lit up maples, and Zen gardens, and through a bamboo grove. Since my camera batteries died, got it all on film. We also got a great view of the city; we were about as high up as Kiyomizu-dera.

After a bit of souvenir shopping, we made our way back to the station, having a quick look at the Yasaka pagoda on the way. My leopard pin decided to fall out again on the street (the first time was at uni); that pesky kitty. We found it again though; silly untamed thing. We witnessed a bride throwing the bouquet, and were startled by the sounds of sirens from the “super emergency rescue unit”; there had been a crash on the corner of Gion. Walked the block, down into the station, and got tickets. We’re almost at Kuzuha now. I really enjoyed today, especially the getting lost parts. You come across the best things when you’re lost it’s great, xD. So tired…