A Hike, a Talker, and 27 Bug Bites.

Ok BIO(Blonde in Osaka) fans, here is what progressed in Kyoto.

For two days I and my counterpart discovered Kyoto.

We checked into our capsule hotel. I had been there previously and had so much fun that I told my friend that she had to experience it.

After locking our overnight bags in our designated cubby we headed to Kyoto station. Wile walking to the train that would take us to the Fushimi Inari shrine we were warmly accosted by one of the locals. An old Japanese man with a missing tooth proudly declared "Welcome to Japan" and then walked up and kissed my friend and I on both cheeks.

I must admit this was a shocker! Since coming to Japan it has been difficult to get a hand shake or hug out of any or the residence and for a local to come up and KISS us was the last thing either one of us expected.

Apparently the Old man was a little hard of hearing and thought that my friend said Austria when she actually said she was from Australia. This lead to a ten minute description of the mans days living in Austria. He was very interesting and frankly I liked him.

It's those wonderful surprises that remind me why traveling is so exciting.

After a quick train ride we arrived at the shrine. The Inari shrine is famous world wide for its thousand Tori gates. Thousands of bright orange and red pillars line a stone path which travels through a cool dense forest and up and down mountains. Throughout the hike there were many smaller shrines hidden away to explore. We stopped at a quaint wooden restaurant with a view of the forest for some shaved ice.

It was there that we picked up a  stray Canadian named Justin. He was traveling through Japan after finishing his year long teaching contract in Korea. To be honest, this was a mistake. Justin was a real grumpy-gus and  couldn't stop talking to take a breath. It kind of spoiled the quiet nature-filled atmosphere. We were able to shut him up for a good ten minutes though and enjoyed the sounds of the forest.

Word from the wise to the novice traveler, meeting new people is one of the best parts of exploration but, you must be willing to be patient with the annoying ones you come by.

Overall the hike was invigorating. It took us about three and a half hours and 27 bug bites but it was worth it.

Nara Lights on a Warm Summer Night.

The other night I had the most wonderful experience. I went to the To-Kae summber festival in Nara.

About 3:00 a couple friends and I darned our yukata or summer kimonos, did our hair and headed out. It about an hour to arrive at Nara Station.

The trip was uncomfortable in many ways at first. For one thing, the traditional yukata when tied properly was more like the Japanese version of a corset.  There are two strips of fabric that keep a kimono in place before the obi or large sash is tied around. The first strip is used to set the length of the yukata and is tied around the waist, very tightly I might add.

The second strip is used to keep the top section of the kimono in place. This strip allows for the neckline and back to be perfectly strait and flat. This strip is tied above the ribs just below the chest. It too was synched tighter than a noose.

Finally the obi wraps arournd the yukata and is carefully folded and managed into a bow.

Honestly, it looked so pretty that I didn't care how it felt. After my back went numb the rest of the night was fine.

After arriving at the festival area the sun had just begun to set. Hundreds of people began to light and place candles along the paths to the temples and lakes. Lanterns were lit and they hung in every direction.

As our stomechs growled, we decided that the first thing to do was investigate the local street food. Yaki soba (fried noodles), Karage (fried chiken), castella cakes (soft cakes filled with red beans or custard), takoyaki (octopus), yaki niku (grilled meat), shaved ice, and grilled squid were just some of the options.

We tried almost all of them. Fantastically delicious!

After refueling, we wandered in the direction of everyone else who seemed to know where the action was. We wandered through a small park with candle and lantern lit pathways. The path meandered around a small lake where a gazebo sat in the center and glowed with candle light. As we crossed the wooden bridge to the other side of the lake we stopped to enjoy the reflection that the hundreds of flames made in the water. Couples took small row boats out onto the water. They were each guided by two hanging lanterns. We all made a mental note to return here with boyfriends.

After the lake, we strolled slowly to Nara Park where thousands of candles sat shining. They all drew shapes in the cool grass. Shapes of flowers, deer, kanji symbols, and even the shape of a clock with working hands ticking away.

All the thousands of warm flames gave off a feeling of serenity and joy.

The night ended there and we walked back to the station with happy hearts and pictures in our cameras. The pictures hardly did the beautiful scene justice.

Thought that a narrative would be fun.

“BEEP BEEP” the sound of the streets of Osaka rang like an alarm at seven o’clock Monday morning. Janelle rolled over and slid her window shut as if to hit the snooze button on the city. She groined and dug her head under the pillow.

Another day in this city so far from home she thought. Why do mornings always have to be so early?

With a yawn and a stretch she slowly rolled out of bed. Sitting on the edge of the mattress she crinkled her toes and shook out her shoulders. After that late night she was extra stiff this morning. She made a mental note to swallow a couple ibuprofens with her morning coffee.

Just then their came a knock at the door and the voice of a Japanese man telling her he had a delivery.

Janelle told him to wait just a moment in the most plight Japanese she knew. She scrambled to find a sweatshirt or blanket to cover her pajamas with. Again their came a shout, I have a delivery! Finally Janelle just decided to go with a scarf on the coat rack.

“Yes one moment please” She yelled as she opened the door a crack. Seeing that she was in her pajamas the deliveryman turned a little red, looked away and then apologized for rushing her. She glared at the postman wile signing for the package. The postman quickly said thank you and goodbye.

After placing the box on her kitchen table Janelle put some water on to boil. She smiled a little when she thought about how back home she had a coffee pot that was on a timer. She could set it up the night before and the next morning awake to the rich scent of special dark Italian roast.

Janelle grabbed the scissors off the kitchen hook and moved over to the box. It was from her parents again. A big smile spread across her face when she thought about how many boxes had been delivered since arriving country. Inside were treats from home. Fruit loops, Easy Mac and Cheese and some soft flip flop slippers that were greatly coveted.

“Wow why did I ever leave home? “ She thought. Living alone in a little shoebox of an apartment a million miles from familiar. At that moment Janelle really couldn’t quite remember why she had gone so far away.

Suddenly the walls shook a little. Not like they did during an earthquake, she knew those all too well now. They shook real fast like someone was hitting the side of the building. She ran out onto her balcony to see what the heck was going on.

The sound of whistles and flutes could be heard from down the street. Suddenly, “boom! Ohiogozaimasu!” The loud booms and shaking were a line of large drums being pounded by five or six Japanese men. They banged and then yelled “good morning!”

What the heck is going on? She wondered. She changed quickly out of her pajamas and into an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Grabbed her camera and ran out the door just in time to see a parade of people in traditional costumes turn the corner. Bells and chanting, priests and dancers, even someone dressed as a Prince progressed up the street to the local temple. It was a festival parade, on a Monday morning, in the middle of summer.

Janelle laughed to herself, “Oh yah” she thought, “that’s why”.