I want to share with you how I spent my birthday. Originally Nix and I were to suppose to take the train to Kyoto, then head to Nara and Kobe. The thing is, Nix had to fly back home earlier than expected for an important family engagement. I was really sad at first at the thought of spending my birthday alone. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I should just go take this opportunity to enjoy myself in solitude. I have always enjoyed the my own company! LOL! I have not been able to really travel alone for a really long time, so I took this opportunity to just enjoy my trip.
Kyoto is really an easy place to navigate, and if you like quiet shrines and the most beautiful zen gardens, then this is the city for you. I, for one, wanted to go back and check out the geisha place called Gion, where the geisha is trained and you see them all over the place. I even saw a show with geisha performing! It was quite a spectacle. I had a really amazing time on my birthday. I was able to pray and really meditate on the blessings that God has given me. I was also had the time just to be still, quiet and listen to my thoughts. I recommend everyone to do this at least once in your life – to spend your birthday alone. It’s really a special experience. I was not sad for one minute because I know that I am loved and that I have enough love inside me to go around the world 20 times and still have some left for 10 more! Until then….I pray and thank God for everything!
- I took the Shinkansen express train to Kyoto. This is the most efficient train system in the whole world! It’s accuracy is like 30 seconds! GRABE! Oh..When I left Tokyo, the N1H1flu reached the Kansai area, which includes Kyoto. I was scared at first, but hey, I am in Japan! These people are cleanliness freaks, so I just got a mask and marched on!
My train ticket! It only takes over two hours to get to Kyoto from Tokyo!
This is coach class! LOL! I saved like $100 to take this!
The country side of Japan is really picturesque.
I got myself a bento box for lunch! I love these things, as they are so perfectly delicious!
This is the inside of my box! Is it not the most beautiful lunch on the go you have ever seen? It was really yummy, and there were like so many different flavors and textures that I just had the best time eating lunch!
I decided to walk around before checking in my hotel. Love taking bike shots when I travel. Note to self...I should buy a bike, as I really love the way it looks! LOL!
Temples are abundant in Kyoto.
A corner store selling tiny plates and whatnot. So pretty.
Fabrics...galore!
This is a store selling "furoshiki," which is the art of tying scarves and fabric to create carrying parcels. I love this thing, and I even bought a book about it once. It's so chic!
This is the pont-cho area lined with tiny restaurants and geisha houses.
Ladies in Kimonos were all over! AYELAHVET! I am so inspired!
Modern versions of how the Kimono is worn.
Hmmm....Gluten BBQ, anyone? This smelled so good, but I did not try it, as I was saving my appetite for my special dinner tonight.
Kyoto is not as big as Tokyo - it's like Tokyo lite! I walked to the Yasaka shrine. It was so bright and sunny that day.
These are prayers written on paper and knotted on a wire surrounding a post in the shrine. It was so pretty!
Temple goers would ring the bells as they entered.
Lovely lanterns.
Peaceful courtyards.
I had a quiet moment listening to birds chirping as I looked at this lovely scene.
Summer blooms!
Another temple entrance leading to the Kodaiji temple.
I love how the trees and shrubs here are created like poetry.
Wooden door detail.
The full door where I got the detail.
I went up and down this entire place and just allowed myself to get lost.
Summer irises.
This is me in front of the Chion-in temple. Mainit na ha! If you plan to come soon, bring summer clothes!
I found the Chion-in temple so meditative that I spent half an hour here just praying and meditating.
Outside detail of the temple.
A priest in his vestments.
More prayer knots. It looked like an art installation to me.
HUGS!
RAJO!
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