11.4.08
10.4.08
京都市
Today was my first trip into Kyoto. It was raining and would do so off and on for most of the day. Walked to the JR station, used the machine to purchase a ticket. Tickets are not issued for destination, instead you use the large map to see the cost of where you're going, then put in that amount. The train was not crowded and I arrived at Kyoto station in maybe 20 minutes. Not sure which way to go, I went out the nearest exit until I could orient myself. I had heard the Kyoto Station was a big building, but I had a good view of this from the south side.
I walked back through the station, took a picture of the Kyoto tower and headed north.
I stopped briefly at Higashi Hongan-ji temple, cleansed myself, then headed on. Outside of every temple is a fountain, where you are meant to cup water in each hand separately, then swish your mouth in a ritual to cleanse yourself before entering the temple. I didn't go in, and haven't for any temple yet.
Continuing north, I passed a lot stores I recognized, like Starbucks, Nike, and different clothes stores, all those big international corporations that have a presence everywhere. Many places everywhere have an english menu, or a menu with pictures, but one thing about Starbucks, they use the same cups, no japanese on the cups and the baristas all speak english (at least to the extent to understand a coffee order).
Eventually I turned east and passed a shrine before finding the language school I was looking for. The shrines and temples of Kyoto are not really separate from the modern city, so you might see some ancient shrine right up next to a hotel or department store.
Found the language school and talked to the sensei about lessons. It was a good conversation and I hope it works out. If it does, it would mean a train ride into Kyoto 3 nights a week for lessons. Leaving I saw an outdoor goods store which I went into to browse and ended up buying a small little day pack and some trail supplies. After this, I kept walking and turned into an indoor plaza shopping area before coming out the other side and passing over a river. I was hungry and wanted a cheap lunch, so I stopped in a 24-hour McDonalds. I thought I was ordering something else, but I ended up with some kind of seafood burger and it was about what I was expecting.
Kept walking, and approached Heian-jingu shrine. This area also has the Kyoto Zoo and Municipal art Museum. One of the most memorable sights in Kyoto is the large shrine sculpture extended over the street. I turned left and walked up the canal towards my goal, the Kyoto City International Community House. Arriving, I was awed by homage to a rock (my own improv). Inside was about what I hoped for, a large bulletin board for the international community, including syonnara sales and offers for language exchanges.
Sat down for some coffee and to plan my walk, then headed south towards Maruyama park and Choin-in temple. Few of the booths were open, but on a good day, I'm sure this area is wild with people viewing sakura blossoms and enjoying the park.
Leaving the park, I went through many busy areas full of umbrellas. Kyoto is definitely an umbrella city, and everyone uses them. Makes navigating the streets somewhat difficult. I was looking for a particular onsen (public bath), but couldn't find it and stopped for some food, rice and chicken curry. When I was finished, kept searching (in the rain), before going into a little shop and asking directions. From what I could understand from the woman, the onsen I was looking for had closed and she marked my map for another one close by. Almost went right past, and it was only a guess that led me to go in.
There are two separate entrances, one for men, other for woman. I paid, stripped, and went into a room tiled wall to wall. I grabbed a stool from the pile and sat by a faucet, cleaned myself off, then went and sat in the bath. I was the only man there as the only other guest was leaving as I came in. Really wasn't sure what I was doing honestly. Eventually I rinsed off and left, walked the rest of the way back to Kyoto station, then the train back to Nagokakyo.
I walked back through the station, took a picture of the Kyoto tower and headed north.
I stopped briefly at Higashi Hongan-ji temple, cleansed myself, then headed on. Outside of every temple is a fountain, where you are meant to cup water in each hand separately, then swish your mouth in a ritual to cleanse yourself before entering the temple. I didn't go in, and haven't for any temple yet.
Continuing north, I passed a lot stores I recognized, like Starbucks, Nike, and different clothes stores, all those big international corporations that have a presence everywhere. Many places everywhere have an english menu, or a menu with pictures, but one thing about Starbucks, they use the same cups, no japanese on the cups and the baristas all speak english (at least to the extent to understand a coffee order).
Eventually I turned east and passed a shrine before finding the language school I was looking for. The shrines and temples of Kyoto are not really separate from the modern city, so you might see some ancient shrine right up next to a hotel or department store.
Found the language school and talked to the sensei about lessons. It was a good conversation and I hope it works out. If it does, it would mean a train ride into Kyoto 3 nights a week for lessons. Leaving I saw an outdoor goods store which I went into to browse and ended up buying a small little day pack and some trail supplies. After this, I kept walking and turned into an indoor plaza shopping area before coming out the other side and passing over a river. I was hungry and wanted a cheap lunch, so I stopped in a 24-hour McDonalds. I thought I was ordering something else, but I ended up with some kind of seafood burger and it was about what I was expecting.
Kept walking, and approached Heian-jingu shrine. This area also has the Kyoto Zoo and Municipal art Museum. One of the most memorable sights in Kyoto is the large shrine sculpture extended over the street. I turned left and walked up the canal towards my goal, the Kyoto City International Community House. Arriving, I was awed by homage to a rock (my own improv). Inside was about what I hoped for, a large bulletin board for the international community, including syonnara sales and offers for language exchanges.
Sat down for some coffee and to plan my walk, then headed south towards Maruyama park and Choin-in temple. Few of the booths were open, but on a good day, I'm sure this area is wild with people viewing sakura blossoms and enjoying the park.
Leaving the park, I went through many busy areas full of umbrellas. Kyoto is definitely an umbrella city, and everyone uses them. Makes navigating the streets somewhat difficult. I was looking for a particular onsen (public bath), but couldn't find it and stopped for some food, rice and chicken curry. When I was finished, kept searching (in the rain), before going into a little shop and asking directions. From what I could understand from the woman, the onsen I was looking for had closed and she marked my map for another one close by. Almost went right past, and it was only a guess that led me to go in.
There are two separate entrances, one for men, other for woman. I paid, stripped, and went into a room tiled wall to wall. I grabbed a stool from the pile and sat by a faucet, cleaned myself off, then went and sat in the bath. I was the only man there as the only other guest was leaving as I came in. Really wasn't sure what I was doing honestly. Eventually I rinsed off and left, walked the rest of the way back to Kyoto station, then the train back to Nagokakyo.
9.4.08
Nihon-ga
Up early today to go to a japanese culture class. It's supposedly designed for foreign students interested in learning more about daily life, which would be good, expect the class is completely in japanese and designed for students who have studied the language for two years intensively. So, myself and Kristine (classmate from Massart) sat there looking lost. For a school that accepts inquires in both japanese and english, theres not a whole lot of english language resources available to students. Still, it will get better. After class, went to the used-bike shop nearby but the bikes he had were too small for me.
My afternoon class was a basic japanese painting class designed as an introduction into the art. It was exactly what I was hoping for as it involved hands-on instruction and demonstration. The sensei is very cheerful and boisterous, and though he can't explain much in words, he had made a list of key english words and made sure I was welcome in the class.
Evening time, went to the same ramen place as yesterday, this time actually got ramen, and it was very good and filling, with seafood and vegetables and flavorful broth. Since then I have been studying, talking to classmate, and planning somewhat for tomorrow. Thursday and Friday are apparently special days for the incoming freshman class, so everyone else has it off. I intend to take the train into Kyoto, do some sightseeing, visit the Kyoto community center, look for a used bike, visit a japanese language school to inquire about classes, and visit an onsen (public bath). Friday I'll probably go hiking, a 4 hour loop from Kyoto which heads up into the mountains and provides scenic views of the city and temples.
Oh yes, and I can't figure out why so many of the parking lots have bottles of water stacked along their perimeter.
My afternoon class was a basic japanese painting class designed as an introduction into the art. It was exactly what I was hoping for as it involved hands-on instruction and demonstration. The sensei is very cheerful and boisterous, and though he can't explain much in words, he had made a list of key english words and made sure I was welcome in the class.
Evening time, went to the same ramen place as yesterday, this time actually got ramen, and it was very good and filling, with seafood and vegetables and flavorful broth. Since then I have been studying, talking to classmate, and planning somewhat for tomorrow. Thursday and Friday are apparently special days for the incoming freshman class, so everyone else has it off. I intend to take the train into Kyoto, do some sightseeing, visit the Kyoto community center, look for a used bike, visit a japanese language school to inquire about classes, and visit an onsen (public bath). Friday I'll probably go hiking, a 4 hour loop from Kyoto which heads up into the mountains and provides scenic views of the city and temples.
Oh yes, and I can't figure out why so many of the parking lots have bottles of water stacked along their perimeter.
8.4.08
shinkeishitsu
First day of class today. Started early, went out to buy some slippers for use in the studio. Clear day, somewhat cool. Here's a street shot. The ugliest thing about Japan is how wires are not buried, so you see them everywhere. This is due to bureaucratic reasons, the requirements for buried wires are so stringent, such as requiring parking-meter sized markers for underground wires every 40' or so, along with other annoyances, that its just easier to stick with the status-quo.
Back at school, had my first painting class. watashi wa shinkeishitsu. Small group, and I had met my sensei before, but language is a huge barrier on both sides. After setting up an area for me in the studio, we looked at some student work, then, as I didnt have any work of my own, I was sent outside to do some drawing. Spent two hours or so on a small little pencil drawing of some sakura leaves, which gave sensei something to look at. His english is better than my japanese, which isnt saying much, but I gained greater insight into what I will be doing this semester. He also lent me some books and prints to study. While I was outside I was kept company by a group of roosters which apparently live on campus.
After class and stopping home, went out for some food. Walked down the street to a ramen place I had yet to see open. The traditional noren curtains were out, meaning come on in, so I did. Sat down at the bar and ordered the specialty noodles, or so I thought. I thought he was asking what kind of meat on top, to which I replied chicken, but I guess he took that to mean I wanted chicken. So instead of noodles, I got a full spread with rice, soup, some lettuce, fried chicken and a cube of tofu. It was still good.
Stopped in the nearby liquor store on the way home, hadn't been there yet and wanted to look. What did I see? 4L plastic jugs of whiskey of course!
Back at school, had my first painting class. watashi wa shinkeishitsu. Small group, and I had met my sensei before, but language is a huge barrier on both sides. After setting up an area for me in the studio, we looked at some student work, then, as I didnt have any work of my own, I was sent outside to do some drawing. Spent two hours or so on a small little pencil drawing of some sakura leaves, which gave sensei something to look at. His english is better than my japanese, which isnt saying much, but I gained greater insight into what I will be doing this semester. He also lent me some books and prints to study. While I was outside I was kept company by a group of roosters which apparently live on campus.
After class and stopping home, went out for some food. Walked down the street to a ramen place I had yet to see open. The traditional noren curtains were out, meaning come on in, so I did. Sat down at the bar and ordered the specialty noodles, or so I thought. I thought he was asking what kind of meat on top, to which I replied chicken, but I guess he took that to mean I wanted chicken. So instead of noodles, I got a full spread with rice, soup, some lettuce, fried chicken and a cube of tofu. It was still good.
Stopped in the nearby liquor store on the way home, hadn't been there yet and wanted to look. What did I see? 4L plastic jugs of whiskey of course!
7.4.08
Rain
Raining all day today. Went to school for my first japanese language class, 90 minutes of language is exhausting. Still, sensei is nice and keeps the class interesting.
nakushita
Spent the day lost. Found an old bicycle abandoned on the side of the road, used it to get even farther away from where I wanted to be. Stopped by police twice, showed them my passport, tried to communicate, then they let me go. Eventually found a hotel, went in, they called a taxi for me and I made it back to my apartment. Yes. This post is when I finally made it back.
5.4.08
Bamboo
The early part of the day was alloted to study, mostly of hiragana and their writing. I went out in the afternoon to first visit the largest department store in the area (whose name escapes me right now). I was looking for a teapot and slippers, but ended up purchasing neither. The store was much like any other, though it was very crowded and compact, also instead of a car parking lot there was a large bicycle parking lot. 1st floor groceries, second was clothes, third was household goods. I soon left and went past the same area with cherry blossoms, this time in the daytime.
On a little tourist map I was given, theres a large area marked with drawings of bamboo, and thats where I was headed. Kansai region is known for its bamboo shoots. It was very peaceful, clear sky day and walking through the bamboo path was just what I wanted. This was obviously an agriculture area, I hope to see wild bamboo areas some other time.
I continued north along the outskirts of town to one of the main temples in the area, but could not go in as it was late in the day. From there I headed east back into more populated areas and stopped at a store to get some saki. I had wanted to get umeboshi, pickled plum, to go with this, but either through mis-communication, or the store not having any, I was not able to.
On my way, I passed a ramen shop and stopped for dinner. This was authentic ramen and very good. I think the slabs of meat laid on top of the noodles were chicken (as I had said the word for poultry), but who knows. I did my best to slurp the noodles as is expected of me (some say slurping the noodles enhances the flavor), then paid and left. I wandered my way home, going down different streets than I had already been, poured myself some saki and had an evening bath.
On a little tourist map I was given, theres a large area marked with drawings of bamboo, and thats where I was headed. Kansai region is known for its bamboo shoots. It was very peaceful, clear sky day and walking through the bamboo path was just what I wanted. This was obviously an agriculture area, I hope to see wild bamboo areas some other time.
I continued north along the outskirts of town to one of the main temples in the area, but could not go in as it was late in the day. From there I headed east back into more populated areas and stopped at a store to get some saki. I had wanted to get umeboshi, pickled plum, to go with this, but either through mis-communication, or the store not having any, I was not able to.
On my way, I passed a ramen shop and stopped for dinner. This was authentic ramen and very good. I think the slabs of meat laid on top of the noodles were chicken (as I had said the word for poultry), but who knows. I did my best to slurp the noodles as is expected of me (some say slurping the noodles enhances the flavor), then paid and left. I wandered my way home, going down different streets than I had already been, poured myself some saki and had an evening bath.
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