"I'm Here All Alone"(Dire Straights- "Calling Elvis")

Barbara went back home four days ago, leaving me on my own here in Kyoto until I follow next Thursday.  I'm proud of myself so far.  I've done my own laundry, and shopped for dinner every day.  The dinner hasn't been as good, but it is increasingly edible day by day.  I've been going around, and pleased to be doing it by myself.  When B. left, I realized how dependent on her for transportation guidance I have become.  Socially,  I have my students, who seem to like me mostly, though we are totally uncertain of who we are, and the small group of ex-pats who are the Friday "gang".

I went to an "onsen" (public bath).  It was very nice, once I relaxed.  In Japan I always feel an inch away from a social faux pas, which is bad enough, but the fear of committing one while nude kept me on my toes for a while.

In Kyoto, they are "mad" about Christmas!!  Lights and trees are everywhere.  The most gawdawful music, Japanese versions of the Happy Chipmunks, which is "meta Chipmunks", and as such is magic, is everywhere.  What Christmas means to them is wholly, and with no guilt or ambivalence, about SPENDING!  Once again, Japan imports the "essence", leaving the falseness and irrelevancy behind.

Today, on the advice of one of my students, I found a place to rave about; Shinyodo-ji, which is within cycling distance of work.  I attach a few photos, which don't do it justice.  If you come, I will "drag" you here, and you won't be the same after. I plan to go there every day, which you won't be able to understand from these pictures.

Love to all,