A Magical Day
Trip Start
Jul 28, 2006
1
8
86
Trip End
Ongoing
Kyoto,
Japan
Saturday, August 5, 2006
It is so hot and humid in Kyoto it almost makes me long for Austin in August. Almost I said. It is a real effort to go out in the heat but I am determined to see whatever I can while I am here. Matt is spending most of his time in our somewhat air conditioned room, but this morning I had to navigate the Kyoto Station labyrinth to make hotel reservations for Saturday night, book a train back to Tokyo, and mail a package back to the states. I was worn out before I had done anything fun.
I walked about 10 minutes away to Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, the oldest in Kyoto. The grand hall is undergoing roof replacement but I did visit the temple itself. Tatami mats cover the floor so shoe removal is required. This temple is he headquarters for the Shin Buddhists
building the fire
. Monks knelt before an elaborate black and gold altar and the atmosphere was so ethereal you could feel the presence a deity there. I continued walking about ten more minutes to the Costume Museum that has an elaborate display of dolls telling the tale of the genii. They also had kimonos for you to try on and a mother and daughter helped me into mine and then she donned the male costume. Unfortunately my camera battery was dead but we shared giggles and laughter as we dressed and undressed.
But the real magic happened after we took a hellish subway ride to the Arashiyama district. Getting off the train was like we had taken a step back in time into a new world. This is small town living where the shopkeepers chat as they close their shops and splash ladels of water onto the sidewalks to wash away the day's dirt. Even the air seemed different. We headed toward the Togetsukyo Bridge over the Oi River and stopped to picnic on some sandwiches that I had purchased earlier. As the dark desended the long boats were made ready by lighting candles in paper lanterns hung from the to of the boat.
