Blarg! Another two weeks without a post! Again, all I can really say is it's coming... probably... eventually... My schedule for the rest of the year is quickly filling up and I'm not too sure how much time I'll actually have to write. Rest assured, however, that in whatever spare moment I may have, I'll post something. 'Til then...
Friday, December 12, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Changes in leaf color, plans, season.
Alright, before I'm a full three weeks behind I really should really post some content, shouldn't I.
Starting where I left off, I was all set to travel to Japan's holiest mountain, Koya-san. Unfortunately, Monday night, my travel buddy bailed on me with some lame excuse about applying to graduate schools. Bah! Future planning and higher education my foot! (Please read as a tongue-in-cheek comment.) Luckily, I had also been invited to go to Arashiyama (Western Kyoto) to see the Autumn leaves with some co-workers the next day.
A group of 6 of us met up in Osaka and rode the train out to Kyoto together. The main trip coordinator was prepared enough to have brought maps and had some idea where we were going. Even so, and you know my opinion about Japanese maps, we still got a little lost. Our first stop was a bit of a funny mistake actually. We were looking for the temple with the "hundreds" of stone jizo (little Buddha statues) and found the one with "thousands" of stone jizo.
Starting where I left off, I was all set to travel to Japan's holiest mountain, Koya-san. Unfortunately, Monday night, my travel buddy bailed on me with some lame excuse about applying to graduate schools. Bah! Future planning and higher education my foot! (Please read as a tongue-in-cheek comment.) Luckily, I had also been invited to go to Arashiyama (Western Kyoto) to see the Autumn leaves with some co-workers the next day.
A group of 6 of us met up in Osaka and rode the train out to Kyoto together. The main trip coordinator was prepared enough to have brought maps and had some idea where we were going. Even so, and you know my opinion about Japanese maps, we still got a little lost. Our first stop was a bit of a funny mistake actually. We were looking for the temple with the "hundreds" of stone jizo (little Buddha statues) and found the one with "thousands" of stone jizo.
The main courtyard at Nenbutsu-ji.(The grey stones are representations of the Buddha.)
All of these jizo were buried by a devoted monk, as a sign of devotion, several hundred years ago...just to be dug up again and placed here.
Although it wasn't exactly what we were looking for, the leaves were particularly beautiful here.
The stupa (Buddhist mound) and fall leaves at Nenbutsu-ji.
The bamboo grove at Nenbutsu-ji.Moving on, we asked directions to the temple we were actually looking for (turns out it was just a bit up the road.) After a brief walk we arrived at Otaginenbutsu-ji: home to hundreds of moss covered, sometimes funny looking, jizo statues.
Look closely, can you see the Kendo player? or the guitar player?(I took more pictures (these things were hilarious), but the light balance came out funny.)
Looking down on some of the jizo (there were a lot more up the hill.)(One more photo on my Flickr account.)
After taking as many pictures of funny looking Buddha statues we could, we departed to meet up with the 7th group member and, perhaps, to find some lunch. In lieu of lunch we ended up stopping at a small shop and buying yaki-imo (steamed sweet potato.) Our next stop was yet another temple known for it's beautiful fall leaves (really, every temple in Arashiyama is known for the same thing.)
We were trying to get a picture of this gate but people kept posing in it, checking their phone messages in it, standing around for no reason in it. We finally has one of our group go and pose there so people would get the idea of what we wanted to do.Lastly, after a brief stop for ice cream, we all went to a foot bath. Foot baths in Japan are generally run by hot springs (usually as a free service) and are more-or-less what they sound like... a pool of ankle deep water, surrounded by benches, in which to soak your feet. After a long day of hiking it felt marvelous.
A parting shot of the Autumn leaves in Arashiyama.One of the people I was trekking with mentioned that he was going to Tokyo the next weekend (last weekend, the four day weekend I've been talking about.) I tentatively agreed, as going Tokyo for a few days would have been great. As it happened, however, all of the night buses (the cheapest way to get there from here) were booked well in advance. Perhaps another time...
The Thursday after I went to Arashiyama, two days before my four day weekend, I got it in my head to sell my Nintendo Wii and buy a Playstation 3. This decision resulted in much fun being had in my apartment but also resulted in none of the residents leaving the house over the entire course of the weekend. Before you think we got nothing done, we did beat at least one game in it's entirety... And yes, that is the major reason my blog entries have been laking the last two weeks (fear not, the novelty shall wear off soon and I'll be back to my usual adventuring self.)
One last weather related note: It seems that fall decided to give up and invite winter in. Right after the Arashiyama trip the temperature dropped 10degrees Celsius in one day. The highs are holding still now in the lower 50's (F) but it's a dry, bitter 50.
Okay, that does it for now. Here's to hoping I post on time this week, having done something wonderful (no promises, though.) Until next time:
Jaa Mata Ne.
P.S. Happy 50th post to me!
The Thursday after I went to Arashiyama, two days before my four day weekend, I got it in my head to sell my Nintendo Wii and buy a Playstation 3. This decision resulted in much fun being had in my apartment but also resulted in none of the residents leaving the house over the entire course of the weekend. Before you think we got nothing done, we did beat at least one game in it's entirety... And yes, that is the major reason my blog entries have been laking the last two weeks (fear not, the novelty shall wear off soon and I'll be back to my usual adventuring self.)
One last weather related note: It seems that fall decided to give up and invite winter in. Right after the Arashiyama trip the temperature dropped 10degrees Celsius in one day. The highs are holding still now in the lower 50's (F) but it's a dry, bitter 50.
Okay, that does it for now. Here's to hoping I post on time this week, having done something wonderful (no promises, though.) Until next time:
Jaa Mata Ne.
P.S. Happy 50th post to me!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
No, I haven't fallen off the other side of the planet, but at the same time (as you can see) I've obviously not written anything in the last two weeks. I have the photos from two weeks ago ready to be uploaded, I just need a spare moment to to add some words. Hopefully I'll get to it before NEXT week.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Better late than never? Better short than not at all? Keep those questions in mind for the few seconds it takes to breeze through this week's post.
Tiring of getting lost alone and having no one to blame but myself, I recruited one of my roommates (who shares my days off) to be my travel buddy. For this week's inaugural adventure we headed off to Kyoto to see the Fushimi Inari Shrine (which neither of us had seen yet.) We started the day in downtown Kyoto with a stop at Hongwanji Temple (home to the world's largest wooden structure, the main temple hall.) We then headed to South Kyoto. Anyone who's seen the movie version of Memoirs of a Geisha knows the shrine we went to. It's the one with all the torii gates (it's another one of the places that is seen on a lot of travel posters promoting Japan.) After seeing enough torii to last a lifetime we retired to the Gion (the old geisha district) for a light supper at an izakaya (Japanese pub.) A few more pictures on Flickr in addition to those below.
Tiring of getting lost alone and having no one to blame but myself, I recruited one of my roommates (who shares my days off) to be my travel buddy. For this week's inaugural adventure we headed off to Kyoto to see the Fushimi Inari Shrine (which neither of us had seen yet.) We started the day in downtown Kyoto with a stop at Hongwanji Temple (home to the world's largest wooden structure, the main temple hall.) We then headed to South Kyoto. Anyone who's seen the movie version of Memoirs of a Geisha knows the shrine we went to. It's the one with all the torii gates (it's another one of the places that is seen on a lot of travel posters promoting Japan.) After seeing enough torii to last a lifetime we retired to the Gion (the old geisha district) for a light supper at an izakaya (Japanese pub.) A few more pictures on Flickr in addition to those below.
A dragon shaped fountain at Hongwanji Temple in central Kyoto.
It wouldn't be a trip to Kyoto without a picture or two of Kyoto tower.
Whats that? That ancient temple was destroyed? It's okay we can make a new ancient temple.Also pictured, my disillusion with every "historic" temple in Japan.
There are various types of gates at the Inari shrine. Lacquered wood, painted wood, stone.
That's a lot of torii.
The "back" of the gates are inscribed with benefactors names and dates of instillation.Benefactors donate gates in the hope of receiving a blessing of prosperity.
The dates are written using the imperial calender.At center: Heiwa 17, 10th Month. (October, 2004)
A shrine with many small fox statues.Also, small torii which can be purchased for about 1,000yen each.
Stone gate with fall leaves.Next weekend the roommate and I are going to Mt. Koya in Wakayama prefecture (three hours by train.) Koya is one of the most sacred places in Japan. The plan is to stay overnight at a Buddhist temple and have breakfast with the monks before heading home. Should be "enlightening." In two weeks time, on my four day weekend, I'll looking forward to visiting the Tango Peninsula in the North part of Kyoto prefecture (on the Japan sea.) Til next time:
Jaa Mata Ne.
Jaa Mata Ne.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Although I had another three day weekend this week I didn't end up doing that much adventuring.
I did take my first Saturday off in six months this week. I got up somewhat early and headed down to the local electronics store to buy Nintendo's new hand-held. I then attempted to sign up for Japanese lessons at the local community center. Unfortunately I was supposed to have come in on the first business day of the month not the first of the month (more on that later.) I then had popcorn for lunch and watched the latest Studio Ghibli (think Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle) film: Gake No Ue No Punyo. Again, it was the first of the month, so the ticket was only 1000 yen (almost half off the regular price!) In the evening I went to watch the Kobe International Kendo Club's practice. They seem like a nice group and as their name suggests, are more then welcoming to foreigners who want to practice.
Monday was the "Culture Day" national holiday which, because it was cloudy and threatening rain, I chose to celebrate as "American Culture Day" by sitting around the house, watching movies, and ordering pizza.
Tuesday I had to go into Osaka for training in the morning and ended up spending most of the early afternoon window shopping in the Namba (South Osaka) area. When I eventually got back to Kobe I tried to sign up at the community center again, but they had run out of volunteers for the month by that time of day (I'd have gone in the morning, but training started before the center opened.) In the evening I went to Kendo practice. Because the school gym where practice is usually held was in use we got (a very informative) lesson on Japanese swords from the head Kendo teacher. I was really happy that, even though the lesson was all in Japanese, I still understood all the major points (and was even able to ask some questions.)
Wednesday I took the train to Ashiya then the ferry over to Awaji Island. I failed at my objective of getting to the opposite side of the island to see the giant whirlpools there (stupid bus complex system/illiteracy combination.) Still, I got to see the other side of the Banshu-ako bridge (see earlier post for pictures) and the ferry ride was nice.
In other news I received my fifth assigned day per week at work today. I now know where I'll be going (and when) each day until my contract is up in April (then I get a new schedule.)
An finally a rant, because this really ticked me off this week: Tuesday evening we (the roommates and I) took out the garbage. We'd let it stack up on the balcony for a couple of weeks and there were maybe 5 or 6 bags. As we placed the bags in the designated trash pick-up spot we were confronted by an older woman. After a few moments of confused quasi-communication we figured out that she wanted us to use a new type of trash bag (as opposed to the plastic ones we had been using up to this point.) We apologized and even took our trash with us, saying that we'd buy the new bags and transfer the trash over. Here's the kicker, she followed us home (she's been asking where we lived and I kept answering vaguely "close".) We bought the bags, transferred the trash and took it back to the dumping site. She saw us with the new (correct) bags. Still, knowing where we lived, she contacted our building owner - who contacted our landlord - who e-mailed us to make sure we knew about the new trash bag rules. The only thing keeping my from going totally ballistic is recalling the scene from Office Space about "did you get the memo...". I had a feeling after the lady followed us that we'd be getting a call/e-mail regardless, but I was hoping that, since we did the right thing in the end, we'd not be pestered further. Okay, end rant.
Finally congratulations Barack Obama. The general consensus here is that the American people made a good choice. No more lying about being Canadian for me! The citizens of Obama city, Japan are especially happy.
Until next time:
Jaa Mata Ne.
I did take my first Saturday off in six months this week. I got up somewhat early and headed down to the local electronics store to buy Nintendo's new hand-held. I then attempted to sign up for Japanese lessons at the local community center. Unfortunately I was supposed to have come in on the first business day of the month not the first of the month (more on that later.) I then had popcorn for lunch and watched the latest Studio Ghibli (think Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle) film: Gake No Ue No Punyo. Again, it was the first of the month, so the ticket was only 1000 yen (almost half off the regular price!) In the evening I went to watch the Kobe International Kendo Club's practice. They seem like a nice group and as their name suggests, are more then welcoming to foreigners who want to practice.
Monday was the "Culture Day" national holiday which, because it was cloudy and threatening rain, I chose to celebrate as "American Culture Day" by sitting around the house, watching movies, and ordering pizza.
Tuesday I had to go into Osaka for training in the morning and ended up spending most of the early afternoon window shopping in the Namba (South Osaka) area. When I eventually got back to Kobe I tried to sign up at the community center again, but they had run out of volunteers for the month by that time of day (I'd have gone in the morning, but training started before the center opened.) In the evening I went to Kendo practice. Because the school gym where practice is usually held was in use we got (a very informative) lesson on Japanese swords from the head Kendo teacher. I was really happy that, even though the lesson was all in Japanese, I still understood all the major points (and was even able to ask some questions.)
Wednesday I took the train to Ashiya then the ferry over to Awaji Island. I failed at my objective of getting to the opposite side of the island to see the giant whirlpools there (stupid bus complex system/illiteracy combination.) Still, I got to see the other side of the Banshu-ako bridge (see earlier post for pictures) and the ferry ride was nice.
In other news I received my fifth assigned day per week at work today. I now know where I'll be going (and when) each day until my contract is up in April (then I get a new schedule.)
An finally a rant, because this really ticked me off this week: Tuesday evening we (the roommates and I) took out the garbage. We'd let it stack up on the balcony for a couple of weeks and there were maybe 5 or 6 bags. As we placed the bags in the designated trash pick-up spot we were confronted by an older woman. After a few moments of confused quasi-communication we figured out that she wanted us to use a new type of trash bag (as opposed to the plastic ones we had been using up to this point.) We apologized and even took our trash with us, saying that we'd buy the new bags and transfer the trash over. Here's the kicker, she followed us home (she's been asking where we lived and I kept answering vaguely "close".) We bought the bags, transferred the trash and took it back to the dumping site. She saw us with the new (correct) bags. Still, knowing where we lived, she contacted our building owner - who contacted our landlord - who e-mailed us to make sure we knew about the new trash bag rules. The only thing keeping my from going totally ballistic is recalling the scene from Office Space about "did you get the memo...". I had a feeling after the lady followed us that we'd be getting a call/e-mail regardless, but I was hoping that, since we did the right thing in the end, we'd not be pestered further. Okay, end rant.
Finally congratulations Barack Obama. The general consensus here is that the American people made a good choice. No more lying about being Canadian for me! The citizens of Obama city, Japan are especially happy.
Until next time:
Jaa Mata Ne.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
