KYOTO!!

The golden temple we saw. Yep, real gold. Thought I was kidding didn't you? =D

room, post lunch - Yesterday I arrived at the main gate of Nanzan University and found the charter bus waiting. I got there early at 8:00 and we were scheduled to leave at 8:30. I got on the bus and started doing homework and studying. We left at 8:40 (after giving up on two no shows). The bus ride was long but I got a lot done and was able to talk to some Japanese students and some other study abroad students.

When we got to Kyoto and parked, the 40 of us split into small groups. It was me and Sam (a classmate of mine) and two Japanese students (we were later joined by a few other Japanese students as well). We visited the first temple and walked in the streets. We ate lunch which was soba (a type of noodle). We then hopped on the bus and went to the golden temple and visited the park type area for about an hour or so. I took a ton of pictures and got to eat a ton of amazing food!! Everywhere you went the shop keepers were pushing free samples at you, it was AWESOME!! That's just how I like it; delicious and FREE. ^_^ The streets were gorgeous too with no cars to contend with. So many Japanese were walking around wearing kimono. Males too, not just females like I usually see. I found the miracle combination of match (powdered green tea), mochi (rice cake), and anko (red bean paste). It was a free sample and was heavenly!!! Xd I really, really like Kyoto. It is among my favorite places so far.

The bus ride back was long and I mostly slept. The sun wasn't bad but it still wears me out every time. Got back at around 8:15, ate, showered, and went to bed.

Today I got up early and cleaned like crazy. I went to Aikido practice (first time in three weeks what with all the traveling I have been doing on the weekends). Before going though I walked around the near-by park like I usually do. I took a lot of pictures of cats and scenery. Then I went to the dojo.

Sensei asked me where I had been and when I told him I'd been traveling he asked if it had been my honey moon. >XP He likes to joke like that. Later I was stretching and a lingering little kid from the children's class was sitting talking to Sensei and kept stealing glances at me. Sensei said that I was just a gaijin (foreigner). He called me a bug (mushi). The little kid walked up to me and asked, "Taberaremasu ka?" It means, "Can I eat you?" I said of course and extended my hand and said please go ahead!! The kid scampered back to Sensei who was laughing. Yeah it was a good time. =) I don't why that kid asked that particular question though... Maybe that kid eats bugs?

Practice went well and I got back fairly early. My host mom fed me and we ate outside on the back porch. Then I continued the cleaning I had started in the early morning. I am just finishing that up and then I will start homework (it's never done, homework). Also today I will renew my commuter's pass and talk with my parents online. Busy. Xo