Another sunny start to the day. The weather forecast at the hotel said only 20% chance of rain, but I took the umbrella anyway. Very smart. My first destination was Kiyomizu-dera. I tried to get to this temple last year and gave up because of the crowds. This year, because it is December and the best leaf display is finished, it was much easier. There were lots of high school age kids but they came in waves and there was breathing space in between.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to do all the climbing; some of the stairs looked really formidable. But as I walked around the first level the buildings above looked so interesting I just kept on climbing. It’s a beautiful site with gardens on the first level and mountains in the background. There is supposed to be a special garden. I don’t think I ever found it.
Rubbing the Buddha for luck
There was another garden nearby, shown on a sightseeing map. I went to see it, but it really wasn’t interesting. I walked back to the bus stop and went to the train station, which is not far. I was running short on cash; it’s a good place to change money. I found a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Even with an English menu I did not get what I thought I was getting, but it was OKânoodles with seafood and vegetables, bok choy. The unexpected part was broth, or sauce. I expected stir fried noodles, dry. At least there was nothing breaded or deep fried, and no seaweed.
It was raining slightly by the time I left the train station. I decided to continue looking, thinking the rain wouldn’t get too bad. After all, the prediction was only 20%, and I suppose you could say the air had only 20% rain. I took the bus to Chishakuin Temple, which turned out to be the perfect place to see a garden in the rain. This is a garden you view from the inside, it’s quite small and amazing. You walk only on pavement around the buildings or inside. There are tatami mats to sit on, or wooden ledges protected by large overhangs. It’s a wonderful place. The rain got much heavier, but the sound of the raindrops enhanced the view.
I got on the wrong bus going back and went far out of my way, finally backtracking and getting to the hotel in a very wet state.
you know it only just occurs to me, but why don’t you get a native to write you a little card with your food dislikes, so that you can then show it to the waiter? “Honorable food server – humble gaijin (gaijin means gringo, right?) appeals to your charity and asks that you please avoid serving to her the following: **your pickiness here** and as she lacks a clear mastery of our venerable tongue, she is at your mercy.”
I continue amazed at the beauty of the gardens……even if I cannot hear the rain. I can imagine it tho, and I looked closely at the water hoping to see raindrops.
Yes, next trip, a card might solve problems: Dear Honored Cook/Server/Chef, might I please have no mayonnaise or brown sauce on my “……..” May I please have”…………” or “………” without seaweed or …………… and ……… .
You fill in the blanks. Then add all the niceties Eli suggested.
It’s a great idea, but I have a feeling it wouldn’t work, at least not the way we think it would. There is something about communication here that’s very strange. Somehow I always seem to fall into the cracks.