Monkeys and Firewoks Don't Mix

Hiking outside Kyoto. Saw more monkey poop than monkeys. Flaming or non.
I have no idea what the sign says (translation to come..) and it would seem monkeys in the area don't either.

Took the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Kyoto last weekend to do a little exploring and cultural/historical with David and Miki. Basically walked around town in the off and on rain and took in the sights and sounds.

Kyoto has a lot to see and is especially beautiful in the fall and winter with the snow and changing of the seasons. So, Well be back to see what we missed.

As for what we did see: Lots of river birds, Geisha, Temples (Shinto and Buddhist), student art show and two hours worth of rice between Tokyo and Kyoto.


I'm kicking myself for not getting some picks of the full-dress geisha, but it just felt to odd to get that pick. Same way it it's weird to take pics of Amish walking down the street just doing what they do. So, sorry. You'll have to take my word for it being something to see.

Not to far from the part of town we saw the Geisha we rolled by this piece of irony: love motel with "ladies hospital" conveniently located next door. There were a lot of kids running around this area now that I think about it.

Got into town about mid-day Friday so just did a little river walking as most of the sights to see where closed.

But we did get to a few Shinto temples before they shut down where people were walking through hoops and ringing bells for luck and prosperity. People often write well wishes and prayers on planks of wood and leave them at the Shinto alters. This one cracked me up -- probably for the sheer fact that I could read it. It got me wondering if the ones in Japanese were as funny.


Next day we did a little hiking outside of Kyoto and visited the site of Japan's first Zen Buddhist temple. The buildings are only about 100 years old tho the site is about 700 and the original gardens are still in tact.

The temple was a short walk from the river banks pictured to the left here. It was a pretty short trip, but the company was good and it was nice to finally ride the Shink and see another Japanese city.

Kyoto station is pretty cool with about two miles of escalators this picture is only about half way up one side of the station .


And it's open air at the top of each side. There is a catwalk that spans from one side to the other at the top of each escalator run. Pretty amazing design to look at, if not practical. Sandra Joy at center for scale, David and Miki at right. Below, you an see the hills around Kyoto and down into the station from the top of the stairs. All in all, good little trip.