Yesterday was sunny for the first time! Cool but good for an expedition. We started out at one of our favorite temples, Ginkakuji (the silver pavilion, not to be confused with Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavillion of Mishima fame). As always the gardens were lovely, more green and mossy than I had remembered, and the austere tea house sits overlooking the pond as if always contemplating the reflections. From there we had a leisurely walk down the Philopsher's Path, wonderfully free of crowds. Here and there were some camellias and plum trees, but no cherry trees yet. Lunch at a little soba noodle shop, then a visit of another of our favorite temples, Enkando, famous for among other things the backward facing Amitaba (see an earlier blog for more complete description).
Feeling a bit tired, we took a cab over to the Yasaka Pagoda, mainly so we could find our favorite tea shop, Yasagi-ya. A trip to Kyoto is not complete without sitting in the ancient shop, and having green tea from the lovely little earthen ware pots and cups. Of course sweet bean cake and savory rice cake with seaweed wrap are also essential. I think Adam, Diana and Ella might remember being there. It hasn't changed a bit.
Win peeled off to go home to rest, and I walked up Higashiyama-dori for a long ways, past the Yasaka Shrine where myriads of young girls in Kimono where giggling and having their pictures taken by friends. (We think this has to do with graduation season). I went by our little Cotyria (Bird's Nest) machiya that we had rented in 2012, and felt very nostalgic.
In the evening we went with Yasu-sensei to Izakaya for dinner supplies, and ate with him in his apartment. We watch some of the 15hr online course on "personality" he had done, which seemed very excellent from what we could understand. He is a gifted teacher.
Then we just collapsed.
We hope all is well in the states and will be home very soon. Send love.
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| Ginkaku ji |
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| Kasagi ya |
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| Philosopher's path |
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