This morning I caught a train to Kyoto from Osaka. EVERYTHING was in Japanese so I literally guessed at the correct line -- I saw "Kyoto" but had no idea where in Kyoto I was going. The ride was smooth with a beautiful view. When I got to the train station in Kyoto, I had no idea what to do next. Again, everything was in Japanese and this time I could not find the word "Kamawamachi" anywhere, which was the stop I needed. After guessing and asking around I finally made it to the subway station but stood lost in front of the subway map and ticket booths, not having any idea which amount to order from the machines. Then something wonderful happened. An older man walked up and asked me if I needed help. He not only helped me buy my ticket, get on the correct subway and everything, but he also walked me from the subway station through the three streets TO MY HOSTEL! Being a lost traveller has given me so much more faith in the good of humanity. But the best part of this entire experience was that my guide's name -- no kidding -- was Mr. Miyagi AND he looked just like Mr. Miyagi from the movie! When he told me his name it took everything I had not to visibly react. He even had the same distinctive white beard and mustache as Mr. Miyagi. Looks like I had my own master guide today!
After settling into my hostel--which is amazing--I went walking around the area. Being here alone thus far has given me excellent time to observe "the Japanese people." Here're some notes:
1) Everyone is incredibly fashionable, men, women, old, young. And there are a ton of designer stores everywhere. Staples for women are tall boots with da fur and fur jackets, staples for men are tailored jackets and glasses. The people are very attractive! All of the women seem to wear makeup. Maybe this isn't a novelty anywhere, but I notice it more because the makeup style is different. I've seen a few women with their faces painted completely white, while most women wear pink coloring on their cheek bones (sorry, I don't have the terminology here).
2) If you know me well, you know that one of the first things I notice and judge about a person is the way that he or she walks. Let me just say that I already love being here and I love the Japanese people because there is a high density of people with interesting/lovely/creature walks. Some are almost cartoonish and could come out of Japanese cartoons that I've seen; others are just simply lovely and original -- I love it all.
3) A percentage of people here walk around on the streets and in the airport with surgical masks covering mouth and nose. I asked Mr. Miyagi if they were sick and he laughed and said "No yet--to prevent." I guess it makes sense in a big, densely-populated city. Although the city is so much cleaner than Istanbul, my last big city locale.
After settling into my hostel--which is amazing--I went walking around the area. Being here alone thus far has given me excellent time to observe "the Japanese people." Here're some notes:
1) Everyone is incredibly fashionable, men, women, old, young. And there are a ton of designer stores everywhere. Staples for women are tall boots with da fur and fur jackets, staples for men are tailored jackets and glasses. The people are very attractive! All of the women seem to wear makeup. Maybe this isn't a novelty anywhere, but I notice it more because the makeup style is different. I've seen a few women with their faces painted completely white, while most women wear pink coloring on their cheek bones (sorry, I don't have the terminology here).
2) If you know me well, you know that one of the first things I notice and judge about a person is the way that he or she walks. Let me just say that I already love being here and I love the Japanese people because there is a high density of people with interesting/lovely/creature walks. Some are almost cartoonish and could come out of Japanese cartoons that I've seen; others are just simply lovely and original -- I love it all.
3) A percentage of people here walk around on the streets and in the airport with surgical masks covering mouth and nose. I asked Mr. Miyagi if they were sick and he laughed and said "No yet--to prevent." I guess it makes sense in a big, densely-populated city. Although the city is so much cleaner than Istanbul, my last big city locale.
My cozy little bunk in the hostel...complete with memory foam mattress!
Beautiful view from a major bridge.
At first I was disappointed because I probably won't see the springtime cherry blossoms in bloom, but by the river there were beautiful weeping willows, pine trees and red-leaved deciduous trees all in one place!
A nook in the city street.
Statue of a geisha in front of weeping willows.
Now I'm going to nestle in my bed and read some of the Japanese literature I've brought along with me--Japanese lit is actually what first made me love Japanese culture. I'm currently reading Kakuzo Okakura's "The Book of Tea." Annie gets here to Kyoto tomorrow!
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