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Run run run! Go go go! Why can't I just settle down for awhile? Perhaps this is the problem with my whole life, but at least I get to see a lot! I've really struggled with which photos to add to this entry as I have taken so many. I hope I can give the Kansai area of Japan justice! I've taken the night bus from Tokyo, arriving in Kyoto at 5am. The bus ride wasn't too bad. Apart from the fact that the guy sitting next to me snored his way onto my shoulder, and then both of the reading lights were directed onto his side. When I arrived in Kyoto, I was slightly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the station. I hadn't envisioned the cutting edge granite and glass towers in a city known mostly for its' temples and peace agreements. Nonetheless, I found the lockers and the washrooms and made myself respectable for an early start on the temple tourist track.

Historic Temples and Futuristic Expo

Coffeecat
2005-12-24 19:27:10

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difficult! I spent the day walking to the other end of Kyoto taking in the sights all along the way. The blisters on the soles of my feet really didn't hurt when I looked at what some of the Japanese girls were wearing! When I finally couldn't walk any more, I made my way back to Kyoto station and on to the hostel.

Compared to Tokyo the fashion of those walking the streets is extremely different. I don't quite understand how the girls plan it, but often there are a group of friends all wearing yukata (the summer version of a kimono) although they seem the

Was a nice blue sky day even in the windows
type to be wearing heels and jeans the next. Of course the fashion of Hello Kitty will never fade out here. I met some girls in the morning that arrived 2 hours before starting work in order to chat on their 'lesure mat' (Hello Kitty). When I asked if it was a picnic at 8am, they just claimed to be gossiping. I think I got quite a bit street cred when I showed them my Hello Kitty cloth, soon put to shame of course when I was shown just how many Hello Kitty items each of them had with them! Another sight from walking through Kyoto was of boys off to their baseball practises. I would expect to see a baseball bat slung over their shoulders, but not here. Baseball has a huge following, and the equipment must be treated with respect. Their bats are kept within a padded case, carried delicately and held back from the foreigner asking them ridiculous questions.

My next adventure was jumping on a train to Nara to see the Budda of Todai-ji. It was a pleasant town with many deer roaming the park. Actually they all seemed to be hunting down the tourists for

The best mode of transport, seen during the first morning walk
food handouts, including myself of course! When I made it over to the Budda, I was suitably impressed. Large might be an understatement. ...