Kyoto - Pictures 5

Okay, finally got the pictures in. However, running out of internet time, so the commentary will have to wait. Make up your own if you like. I'll get to them soon as well... sure... I... will...

Off to go check out Osaka's Tenzin Matsuri... (sp)... festival hopping... yay!

Next issue... capsule hotel... ;-)

***now with comments***


Ah! Sanders-san... in festival garb...

So, when I arrived in Kyoto that monday it was the last day of Gion Matsuri, the big Gion festival. So, many of these photos will be from that.


Hence, there was a procession of celebrants in traditional-ish garb going through the shopping arcade.


Sometimes... you just don't want to know... Japanese Richard Simmons?


More of the people going through the shopping arcade for the festival.


Miniature samurai altar thing.


An actual Gion float that is either stuck or abandoned. There were a few others around as well. Don't know why. Big.


One of the special floats. They shook these around with much vigor. Noisy. Shiny. :-)


The lanterns at the actual Gion temple lit.


I believe this is Tenryu-ji, or near it, in the rain. A small pre-garden before the temple. Very nice.


Me in the Garden at Tenryu-ji.


Nice close up of leaves in the rain.


Cute mushroom right off the trail.


Nice tree moss near the garden path. Ya know, I don't think I took many pictures of the actual temple. Ah well.


Dragon screen inside the temple.


Yay seiza.


Interesting red painting. The flash flare added nicely I thought.


I think this is at the Daikaku-ji temple. Lost track a bit. Gold tree screen.




Hares on the bottom of screens.


More of the garden around Daikaku-ji.


The crew that I went with to see the previous two temples.


I believe a stature of Kannon, godess protectorate. Cemetary near... someplace. Nanzen-ji I think?


Dragonfly near there as well. Bit of a hike up the side of the mountain, but nice.


Kyoto from that up-the-mountain-place.


Painting of many Buddhas.


Zen sand mound. I believe this was Eikan-do or Nanzen-ji again. Saw them both about the same time.


Dining room in one of the places. Eikan-do pretty sure.


More Eikan-do.


Aqueduct flowing behind Nanzen-ji. Notice the stick.


Behind Nanzen-ji there was this really cool forest walk up the side of the bluff.


Guardian stature near the forest temple.


Did I mention the part where it had been raining a lot. Well, there was a little waterfall here before that apparently. Now, it's taken up most of the stairs. Nonetheless, I went through that...


...to get here for this shot. Cthulhu likes to meditate under the waterfall as well.


Wandered around a bit after that and found a nice little temple/shrine to pets. This one's a monkey of some kind.


Cat shrine. Very cool.


Shrine to hampsters. That's a big nut.


More cat statues.


Really awesome engrish. This was not an amazing car by the way; small commuter at best.


Guitar rock game. It was harder than Guitar Rock Hero for the PS2, and way too short.


Obligatory DDR with some ladies from the Uno House.

Kyoto

Well, been hanging out here in Kyoto for the last few days. Since Monday in fact... let me tell you about monday.

First, I should probably start with Sunday though... this would be 16th. Left Tim's place fairly early to try and get to the Hombu Dojo and see the class with Doshu. Finally worked out this time, having left a fairly decent amount of time to get there and still get lost, I was actually early. Doshu class was extremely packed and hot as heck (it's been very hot and humid in Tokyo the entire time I've been here--quite horrible indeed). Decent Aikido of course, and the Doshu looked very good, though I don't know about the rest of the people. Pretty much everyone was wearing hakama, and there were only about two or three white belts (out of say fifty or more). Impressive nonetheless. I had to sit seiza in the corner, on the wood floor, and still had dodge some falls.

And then I began to realize how bloody heavy my pack still is. I took out a bunch of stuff before leaving Tim's place, but not nearly enough. I should've taken out the sleeping bag as well, but, alas. In any case, I ended up hanging around Shinjuku some more, trying to figure out a way to get a night bus to Kyoto. Everywhere was closed for Sunday. So, I played with some options, tried the JR bus (which was most expensive at ￥5000), but they were full. The place I wanted I had emailed, but never got through due to Sunday. So, I figured I would show up (which I knew where to) at 22:00 and see if I can manage to sign up at the door--something I don't really recommend. But, after waiting till the last minute, they had a couple cancel or not show up, and eventually I got to get a spot.

And then sleeping on the way to Kyoto. I won't bore you. It was a reasonably uncomfortable bus sleeping experience. The rest stop we went to was pretty cool. All the combini's here in Japan are the most useful places on earth, but this one was bigger and had a decent selection of food and touristy items.

I got to Kyoto before the rain started on the last day of Gion Matsuri, possibly the largest festival in Japan, and at least Kyoto during the year. Not bad on the whole, but you could tell it was a national holiday as there were lots of people coming from everywhere and every direction. I mostly stayed at the Kyoto Station, checked out the information station, had some coffee and beignets at the Cafe du Monde in the station, lamented the fact that I hated how heavy my bag was, managed to get some lunch, and call the Uno House for reservations for staying. Eventually got to the hostel, in the rain. Did I mention the rain. Very heavy rain.

Perfect for a festival.

Dropped off the very heavy bag and went out into the throngs to check out the festival, though mostly just got stuck shopping in the extensive shopping arcade area in the heart of downtown (though fun) to get out of the rain. Eventually decided I should go get to an Onsen and get clean before heading back to the hostel, and got on the bus (going the wrong direction initially), took a few minutes nap, and when I woke up, there were people lined up outside a temple the bus was driving past. So, I got off instead and waited for whatever it was to happen.

Eventually found out (much later) that this was the temple in Gion, where they do the whole Gion festival thing. Eventually the street was closed off and some interesting parading folks came through (photos pending of course). And then the flotillas came by (for lack of a better term). They were large (could fill a 2m cube) gold pagota like objects strapped to logs (about 6m) that herds of men in white garb were carrying. Then, when they got in front of the temple, they would rock the flotilla and cause the bits of metal they had also attached to the ends of the main beams to make a great deal of noise. And lots of chanting and clapping as well. I'll figure out how to post the movie of it eventually.

That took a good hour and a half. Each flotilla had to be paraded in for a bit, and then there was a small mini flotilla/pagota thing as well. Some speaking by, presumably, the head priest or some such. More chanting, noise making, and such--and then the flotillas went their ways down other streets to be paraded elsewhere.

Then I got the bus to the Onsen.

Took a good while to find the onsen. Though the Guide is pretty decent at saying about where things are, the street maps are nearly worthless at being exact enough to actually find some things. But, after asking twice, I finally saw the sign (right in front of me practically) for the onsen. Very nice, mostly sento (bath house), but there was a small area outside with natural rocks (trad. onsen style). Saw a few guys with very extensive tatoo work, which may or may not have been yakuza. I also found the combination of sauna and cold bath quite nice, and made my head trip out a bit as well.

Tried walking home though, which was a bad choice. I saw it on the map just fine, but the walk ended up being like two miles and the rain was pouring again at this time. Finally got to the guest house/hostel and got into some clean dry clothes. Ate some food (noodles again, but with some pre-fried tofu from the market).

At the hostel common room though I met the French guy I had stopped off in Ueno park to share a brief pizza with though, so that was uncanny. Scheduled myself with him and his other french friends for some sightseening the next day.

It was a very busy monday.

And I'll have to write more about Tuesday, Wednesday, and today (Thursday) later. Running out of cafe time. Trying to apply for jobs and getting the picture uploading messed up. Oh well. Soon, there will be more pictures, but you'll have to wait a bit more...

写真 ４

I got a new dictionary, didn't I. Honestly don't know if it's completely correct, like, I don't know how to do plurality... but, it's picture in kanji. Not like I'll remember it, nor even have the slightest idea how to write it properly. But, like anyone really is going to nit pick it.

Been here in Japan a good week and a half now. Since the last post, and Monday in fact, I've been staying with Tim, a friend of a friend from Corvallis (though safe to say we're hitting it off well too...). I'm going to be heading out soon, as he is with his girlfriend in a rather small place, and I need to get out and see the rest of Japan as well. Honestly, Tokyo, though a large and fascinating place, is very cityish, and it's taking it's toll. I think I could do with some good country air. We'll see. Aparently the Japanese know this as well, as, in an article I read, many want to live out in the country. Or was that just the females interviewed. Anyway.

Tried to get over to Hombu dojo again today to watch a session, but got a late start, wanted to get a resume out to a job finder service, and ended up getting lost again. Found it, but right when the last class ended. Ah well, next time. Did manage to pick up some new books. New pocket dictionary, japanese learning book, and Kafka on the Shore, recent bestseller book by Murakami--looks very cool.

Otherwise, going to look, right now in fact, on what to do next. I need to get out of Tokyo, but where to go next. There's a big festival in Kyoto right now, so that could be very cool, or not. It's either thot or up to Hokkaido. Depends on how accomodations do in Kyoto and if I want to actually activate the pass, get by on a buss for a few days, and stuff. Blah blah.

So tired. My back is starting to hurt and doesn't recover quickly enough. Managed a short yoga session today, but I need to figure out how to either walk better, cary my day pack better, or something. Perhaps walk less...

But, alas... that's probably not in the future.

Hoping to get some camping in soon though. Have a new bivy sack ready for trial, and apparently it's relatively okay to sleep (like a bum) in any park--at least the guide book says so. One has to be generally careful and be good about the timing (pitch in dark and up at dawn, etc.). We'll see.

Anyway, on to the pictures. (I do wish there was a way to journal clip like in LJ, but haven't seen it here yet... not like you're reading this on a list, eh?)

(holy crap... I think I just got corn juice out of the hot drink dispenser... this country will not cease to amaze for awhile still... wish I could read Japanese though... I think it's probably for soup... I hope... good lord...)

Also, my apologies if it takes an age to load them all... (cthulhu hasn't been out much yet... I don't think... soon... I promise...)


So, first back to Kaua'i, Hawai'i... had some I didn't get the chance to post...


Guys from the hostel (L->R)Nightheart, Mike, & Friend)


Jeff (staff cook--did I mention they have a cooking show?) and Nikki


Fireworks on the 4th! at the hostel


Some art I believe Nightheart did

And now, on to Japan!


The girls I managed to sorta talk to on the plane... ;-)


Yes... that's a duckie paddle boat. This would be in Yoyogi park.


Nice crane and boat photo


Turtle and water photo


Temple top in Yoyogi park


Rodin's Gates of Hell... Modern art museum recreations


Samurai and his dog... story here somewhere, but I can't remeber it


An interesting tomb marker picture. Really wish I could read Japanese now.


Samurai sculpture... obligatory photo op.


Meiji shine


Wedding procession I caught at the Meiji shrine... didn't get a good one though. Don't want to think of how much this costs...


Again, turtles are cuter...


...than the coi.


Tori at the Meiji Shrine.


Shibuya... did I mention this place has a lot of people and buildings... ;-)


Me in Shinjuku with Yoshio-san... though I should've gotten him... ah well.


They have only perfect carrots in Japan. No pre-peeled baby carrots. No other kind than this... perfect bunch of carrots.


My first sticker (a new set of Pokemon to be precise) that came with my bananas.


Cavalry at the Imperial Gardens/Main gate area.


Another shot of the Imperial Palace bits... Don't know what this is actually.


View of the Imperial Palace Gate. They had just done a changing of the guard with appropriate pomp and circumstance that military types do.

And now! Some Chibis!

Construction Chibi... my favorite so far was the tooth chibi on a commercial on the yamanote line I saw, but couldn't get a picture. This is up there too. There were others, but this one was best.


Shibuya again. Or is this Shinjuku... like it matters... Yay neon...


Weird sculpture at a kid's activity center (I think).


Shopping chibi in Ebisu. Yay octopi!


Cute cleaning elephant chibi!

More... eventually...

Sugoi!

Well, hit the ground running here in Tokyo. So much to talk about, I'll have to update more when I can finally remember it all.

Wednesday was a decent flight over. Sat next to some cute Tokyo girls on the plane, who eventually got up enough courage to talk to me (to say nothing of my own...). With enough pointing, looking at my Japan guide (hereforth known as The Guide), and consultations with their translator computer, they gave me some interesting suggestions to see things in Tokyo, as well as emergency contact information. Fun.

Arrived on Thursday (yay international date line) in Tokyo, in the airport, I then realized I should've booked a hostel some days ahead of time. Got too used to showing up at hostels and them having space in Hawai'i. I'm actually beginning to think that the hostels here may in fact be just paranoid about not having space, and so dissuade you by only doing advanced booking by internet. Nontheless, I have not proven either fact.

But, I found some internet in the airport and checked the International Hostel website and fonud a hostel not in my guide. I think it's mostly because it's a little hard to find (I must have gotten lost three times just looking for it--though mostly due to the fact the local street addresses are about as confusing as possible). Anyway, internet said it still had vacancies, figured out it's phone number, took still more time to figure out how to use the pay phones and my phone card (my cell phone not apparently working--which I have now found out is worthless in Japan due to the 3G system or something... very dissapointed...) and called them and made out through some decent japanese and english from their end that I had a reservation.

Then it was on to the train.

All of this is, of course, terribly interesting to me, and utterly mundane to anyone who lives here. But, figured out how to get on a train line into the city (I think it was about \1200--which is roughly $12.00 US); Narita to Asakusabashi, via the JR Chuo line to be exact. Once in Asakusabashi, then it was on to the various getting lost attempts to find the hostel. Went out the bad exit from the train and didn't catch the good map with pointer stickers... ah well.

Once found, and mind you, this was carrying my 50lb. pack the whole way, I was tired. But, also hungry (plane food was actually fairly reasonable, though I skipped the chiken part--soba noodle snack good though--it was, after all, an 8 hour flight). Went out to find some food, and mostly just made it to the convenience stores. Not great food, but I think I had some inarizushi. It's not bad at three for \200. Better than Hawaii at least. Anyway. Had food, went to bed. Tatami mat room, rather thin fouton like mattress, sheets etc. Apparently there is in fact a western style room, but I have yet to see it.

Woke up around 5 am to get started on Thursday. Yay Jet Lag.

Decided to walk around the area. Made it into Akihabara eventually, though got lost, similarly, like last time. Should've remembered to pick up a map at the Tourist station at the Airport like the Guide said, but, oh well (I have one now...). Akihabara has, like mentioned, a *lot* of anime, game, hobby, book, and computer/cell phone stores. Rather impressive selection, though couldn't track down the place that was suppsed to have western/US computers for sale. Perhaps when i actually need one. Some nice, thin mini laptops for around \30,000 that might work for my future needs. Though, I still can't read the specs in japanese... so, perhaps to get some help would be in order.

Anyway, from there, it was to Ueno park. They had stuff there... um... yeah. Can't remember right now. Skipped the zoo, but had a brief lunch (low quality park cheese pizza) with a guy from France studying music (in france) visiting to pick up some traditional japanese music scrolls. Strolled around, checked out the shrines, took some pictures (which I'll put up as soon as I can get a decent internet connection). Listened to some japanese radio, some of which in english. Saw the sign to the museum nearby that had a Louve exhibit, and decided that was a good idea. Very cool. No english, and had to make out most of the titles from the limited supplied french--managed well enough. Most notable was the fact that the sculpture (mostly, though some pottery as well) depicted pre-christian gods and goddesses in the same way that christian imagery does on the whole. Nike, the goddess, looks like any christian angel I've ever seen... which I thought was rather interesting. Makes sense to me now, but I didn't know. Anyway, good exhibit.

Went over to Asakusa, checked out the big shrine deal, Senso-ji, with accompanying nori outlets and other traditional style sundries. Nice place, nice nearby garden. Tired. Got hungry and wandered around.

Eventually got stopped by a rather drunken, middle aged couple from Yokohama. I think they had roped in a older fellow from France (who was selling ships from France). Biru was on them though, and we managed to communicate through broken english and japanese. I still couldn't understand half of what they were trying to say, and it may have been the guy's birthday (though, potentially a ruse to get people to come by). Generally friendly folk, and can't complain about free beer, fried tofu, and a small glass of shochu (though I think it was just different sake--not very hard). Though, did get a little wierd when the gal of the couple kept trying to kiss me and kept repeating some phrase I cannot remembber. Eventually she let up, and all was good. Went home. Had to catch the 23:00 curfew at the hostel anyway. Took the train home

Slept in from the long day of walking. Back is still generally killing me, so I need to find a better posture, less weight in the backpack, or walk less. Ah well.

Saturday was out and about, eventually, to Yoyogi park. I was actually interested in finding some music festival they had going on (free) during the day. Got to the Meiji shrine instead. Not technically all the way open, but the grounds were fairly interesting. Went to the garden as well; more pictures. Eventually ended up walking around Harajuku and checking out the various sights. My other mission, along with my sore back, was to check out a movie if at all possible. Found some on the internet in the morning and eventually wandered my way into the kabuki-cho (theater district) of Shinjuku from Harajuku (can't remember if I took the train... I think), and watched Pixar's Cars with a box of Pocky. English with Japanese subtitles. Now, if I can find the Japanese movies with the English subtitles, I'll be all set. Miyazaki has a new one out soon (Legend of Earthsea I think?) as well as a decent movie called Brave Story (I think?). So, we'll see. Cars was good. Back was much happier.

Strolled around the Saturday Night Shinjuku place. Skipped the blowjob by nice japanese girl. Wandered in the throngs, and I do mean *Throngs* of people. Not too bad actually. Eventually got tired, thought I'd check out Shibuya as well though. More of the same really, just different. Without knowing what a lot of places are, what's up stairwells, and the signs being in "greek to me" (though, admittedly, greek would be something I could attempt to sound out), things are a bit inaccessable. I should work on learning that japanese. Ah well. Anyway, back to the hostel by 11pm.

This (sunday) morning went better at getting up. Had trouble deciding what to do, so I looked up the Aikido Hombu dojo. Tried, in vain, to get there to watch the sunday practice with Doshu. Couldn't find it for the life of me; got really close, and quite nearly passed it (not quite as big as I thought it was). Ended up getting a snack at a (finally found one) supermarket (or, rather, market, the one I found was rather small actually, though still had an escalator). Ate a bannana and small cup of green tea ice cream when a middle aged guy on a bike stopped and asked me where I was from. We got to talking, he having visited San Francisco, and I from Oregon (and the whole bike ride last summer mention). I asked him if he knew where the Hombu dojo was, and thus began my afternoon.

He said it was near his apartment, but by the blocks in Tokyo, that really could mean anywhere in Shinjuku as far as I'm concerned. Nonetheless, he took me to the dojo, got me a cream-tea, and functioned as interpreter for me. Found the flyer for practice times (though the internet served well enough), and made friends for me with the staff a bit. I didn't want to impose on his day, but eventually (and by my ken) he made an afternoon of showing the nice gaijin around his city. Most friendly guy. Showed me around a bit more of Shinjuku, had a quick tea at a coffe shop and chatted in some reasonably good english. Must learn more japanese... Took me to the big department store, music level, overlook of the city of shinjuku, the gigantic bookstore with the books in english level (sixth floor--roku-ken I think), and a host of other sundry places. Found a card for my grandmonther's birthday. Saw the food-court/sweet rack/market floor and shared a sweet bun object filled with a fruit I can't remember.

Eventually saw me off at the JR line, which, though I've figured out fairly well, he still insisted on finding me the right way back to my hostel (not that it was open yet anyway--only open after 17:00). Nontheless, he got me on the train, and bid fine farewell, with hopes of biru after some aikido should I get back to Shinjuku.

Hung out, checked out the (now obtained) Metropolis (english guide to Tokyo) and waited for the hostel to open. Paid for another night, and got some interenet.

It's time for a nap.

Sorry it's so long. One of these nights I'll just get a reading room and internet all night and update more details. But, it'll do for now.

Ja ne!

Pictures 3

A few more pictures I have of hawaii... I do need to remember to get more of me though. eh...

This first one I shall explain a little bit. On Sunday, as per the general relaxation and enjoyment one would have on a weekend, I went out with a few guys from the hostel on a bike ride along the coastline (a soon-to-be bike path apparently). Checked out some sights along the way and such. At the end of the trek was a very pituresque (of which I have none as a whole) inlet that was very rocky. I forgot to get a picture of the "gate" per se, but I got this picture of the fresh water and mini-falls that was enjoyable to swim (and jump) in. A veritable baptismal font. Quite nice.





A picture of mushroom rock on the way back from the pool and inlet.



A picture of an old WWII gunnery post. B/W seemed better for it.



More front of the Kauai International Hostel. Can you see Cthulhu?

Independence

Hi folks, a less belated post this time.

I've been fairly lazy in posting some of the stuff happening here. Though, truly, it has been fairly chill for the last two weeks. Got into doing the whole local thing pretty well, integrated myself into the staff of the hostel by doing the weeding, painting, and then setting up the manager with a set of booking spreadsheets in excel that works pretty nicely. Paid for the rest of my stay and some extra for when I stop by again in the future. A nice exchange indeed. Also picked up a bit more music with helping him also set up some torrent downloads and DVD "backup" software.

Now I'm mostly ready to get onto Japan.

If all goes well, I won't see the US for a few years at least. That will be utterly strange and different, and on the whole, I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that yet. It is, of course, more or less what I want, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. But, as new and strange things go, it is that.

The US does have a number of amazing and good things going for it, and a lot to learn how to do better. It would be my hope that, unless the tides turn entirely in the wrong direction, I would come back and share that with a willing-to-improve kind of homeland. Here's hoping.

Nonetheless, the temporary home and friends I've made here in Kauai has been a good testament to the idea I have for my vagabonding adventure. I have a longer raison d'être in the works, but it still needs some better polishing and edition. Suffice to say that just travelling around and seeing things and having adventure, as much as it will get done, is not, by far, what I'm trying to do. More that I'm trying to find a way of living, and more precicely, living with people, so that I may make the entire world my home. Living the vision of borderless lands is what it comes down to, and only when we can all do that, and feel at home doing so, then we won't need this needless running about with maps and lines.

Anyway, I shall stop my pontificating for now. Goodbye United States. May you live up to your own ideals someday.