Kyoto part 1

I left Yukie's house a little later than I wanted (around 11:30, wanted to leave at 10 but my bed was so comfortable and warm this morning). Then I got on the train going the wrong direction so I got to Kyoto even later (around 1pm). But finding my hostel was easy and I found a tasty ramen shop to eat lunch at. I'm thinking though that I like Osaka more than I like Kyoto. People don't seem to be as friendly here as they are in Osaka. And the J Hoppers in Osaka is nicer. But i'm only here for one night so i'll make the best of it!

I went to Kiyomizu temple today (or at least what I think was Kiyomizu...it was some sort of temple anyway). The place was blissfully empty of people. It was so relaxing. The temple allowed people to actually go inside part of it which was awesome. They had this beautiful garden in the middle and a bunch of old screens on display. I can't wait to show all the pictures I took!

Near the temple there was Kyoto National Museum so I got really excited and walked around it looking for the entrance (the place was HUGE). Ten minutes of walking around only to find out that it's closed from November 24 to January 4th. As they say here "zan nen da!!" (that's too bad). So I took the bus back to Kyoto station and walked around all the little gift shops and bought things for my host family. I found some really cheap Yukatas (summer Kimono type things. Not as fancy as a Kimono though) but I resisted buying one. I don't have a lot of room in my bags because I only brought a little suitcase with me. I still have time and I'm sure I can find some cheap ones in Tokyo. You can find anything in Tokyo. I did buy my Kyoto Starbucks cup though! I've been collecting their city cups ever since I found out about them So far I have San Fransisco, Portland, Gold Coast, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto! I'm hoping I can find some in Thailand and Vietnam as well (not counting on there being a Starbucks in Cambodia though lol ).

Right now i'm sitting in the lounge area of my hostel talking to a guy from Belgium, a girl from Paris, a guy from Hiroshima (Japan), and two people from LA. I love international hostels.

Tomorrow i'm going to go see Kinkakuji (the golden temple) and maybe the one that hangs over the water. Then I'll head back to Osaka and maybe hit up the giant crab and the running man. Then I gotta catch my bus back home to Tokyo at around 9pm or so (should probably double check that....)

Good night world!!
Jamie