‘By the river I went walking
When my troubles came to mind.
But I did not stop for them
And they could not catch up to me.’
This is the breath-taking park at #Arashiyama in #Kyoto Japan. My friends went to find the #monkey 🙈🙉🙊park at the top of the mountain, but I’m not a HUGE fan of monkeys up close – and – personal. So I just walked along the river. This day is one of my most precious memories. The atmosphere just soothes your soul ❤️.
Art in the temple & gardens of Sanjusangendo & Chishaku-in at the beautiful #Kyoto. Facebook reminded me of this trip in my memories today. I still say, if you could only visit one city in all of #Japan, go to Kyoto. Breathtaking history, culture, art, museums, temples, natures, modern. . . . I ❤️ Kyoto as much as I do Seoul (and that’s saying a lot!)
![IMG_1071[1]](https://deceptivelyblonde.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/img_10711.jpg)
Two days ago, I officially made my sad goodbyes to the wonderful people I met in Kyoto. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing folks, both in the program (like my absolutely fabulous roommate) and on the streets of the city itself (like our totally sweet and awesome hair cutter/stylist at the Noel Salon on Shijo-dori near the corner of Shijo and Senbon–you should definitely check her out). I got some amazing pictures and great adventures were had by all 🙂 Everything from washing our hair in Shampoo and then Body Wash because it looked like Conditioner (stupid look alike bottles) to finding a restaurant that offered Beef Tongue and Grilled Horse meat (true story–it also served beef gristle; you know the stuff you cannot eat off your steak?!?). We got lost so many times, but every time met someone or ran into some awesome landmark that made up for it. We found new favorite restaurants (Anri in Porta at Kyoto Station is DELICIOUS!), favorite hang-outs (loved wandering around the riverside at Arashiyama), and new best friends.
It’s funny, but when they told me I would be visiting Kyoto’s most famous gardens; somehow my brain was picturing a type of botanical garden such as you would see in the U.S. You know, open rows upon rows of flowers, all arranged carefully around small stone water fountains. Suffice to say, I had it more or less completely wrong (kind of like when they said I was going to a monkey zoo and instead took me hiking to the top of a mountain to see them in their natural habitat mid-forest).
The Chishaku-In garden is actually rather small and compact, but what there is of it is stunning. Carefully interwoven around some lovely temple buildings and tucked up against one of the many mountains in the area, the gardens consist of small Continue reading
Went for a walk outside yesterday (Sunday here) and I ended up travelling quite a ways up and down the streets. Walked down Sanjo street (where I live) to Karasuma Street and then back up Shijo Street. Saw a couple places I want to check out tomorrow! But I also saw some really cool random things that I thought I’d share. So here is a glimpse of the streets of Kyoto!
Cigarette Vending Machine
Holy cow, there is just no way to describe all of the things you can get in vending machines here in Japan. Continue reading
Is it possible to fall in love with a country in just two weeks? In some ways, Japan is very similar to the US. Every other block has the old, familiar sight of a Starbucks, McDonald’s, Seven-Eleven Convenience Store, and bus stops. Go to a store and you’ll find Pringles and Doritos chips, Tide laundry soap, Dove shampoo, and Apple computers. Afternoon tv shows tend to be some serious drama that is reminiscent of US soap operas. Despite the language barrier, you can always still recognize that look from a Japanese mother towards her child that means innately “sit still.”
Recognize this company? Take a look at your local TV store!
But at the same time, there is something so unique, so different about life in Japan. So here are 10 things Continue reading
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! I swore to myself that I would keep this blog updated as I went about my trip and I totally screwed up. I just realized I haven’t posted in weeks, and I sincerely apologize! Everything has just been so incredibly hectic. But I hereby promise that from now on I will keep everything updated and going, and I will get up the stuff I haven’t posted on.
The trip getting here was one problem after another; if I didn’t know better I’d swear a poltergeist was working against me.
It started when I started working on getting my Chinese visa. Continue reading
“She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city” ~ Roman Payne
Language Translation
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