What a sad day for Australian politics.
The passing of a true giant among men. You know Gough did a lot but when
you see the list you realise that just about everybody since is a puny
midget.
Back to me....
After
breakfast, caught trains to Kyoto and met up with Paul out the front of
Kyoto Station. We then walked for about 15-20 minutes to the central
shopping district. We went for a coffee in a cafe called Ogawa run by a
guy who won World Barista of the Year a few years back.
We
walked through some of the shopping arcades and ended up having lunch
at an Udon noodle cafe where for about $7 you got noodles in dashi broth
with tempura additions like chicken, fish, fried onions and the like.
Think I took a pic. Another only in Japan moment occurred when the lady
behind the counter said we had only got 1/2 serves of the fried onion
tempura and she would bing full ones to our table. When they came they
were huge and frankly one of the most delicious things ever. A lady
sitting opposite,as she went to leave advised us, in English, that there
was a tempura dipping sauce available for which information Paul
thanked her in Japanese. Someone needs to open a restaurant/cafe like it
in Melbourne. I'm sure it would make a killing.
We
walked around some more and I was able to tick another location off my
list, namely Nishiki Market and it lived up to expectations. Paul said
that being a week day it was not very crowded. Wouldn't want to be there
when it was.
Walked some more and ended up at another coffee
shop which was the most delightful space. Paul said at times he will go
there, have a coffee and write his blog. Anyone would be inspired by
being there.
Walked a bit more and then Paul
had to go to work. Currently he has 3 different places he works for
teaching Conversational English classes.
Interesting
character and very easy to talk to. He had always had the thought of
living in Japan and when a good friend, who is living in Kyoto said well
why don't you? he thought why not and has now lived here 18 months or
so.
He shares a 120 year old machiya (traditional house
style) with an architect who he met through his friend Greg. He said all
the neighbours are "of a certain age" and many think that Paul and the
architect (who is gay) must be a couple. He hastens to assure them that
the only couple they are is "The Odd Couple"
After Paul headed
off I walked a bit more and happened upon Honno-ji Temple where Oda
Nobunaga committed seppuku when a former ally attacked the temple. He
was one of the architects of the attempts to unify Japan, was the first
to use guns in a battle and considering how famous he is I was amazed to
see he died aged 49. Sure packed a lot in. Also there was an exhibition
of armour, swords, writings and other artefacts associated with
Nobunaga. There was one exhibit which intrigued me but unfortunately
almost all the information was in Japanese only and so I have no way of
knowing what it was. It was a framed piece of carpet, rug or matting
that I conjectured may have been under him when he died. Would love to
know.
Caught the City Bus back to Kyoto Station and trains
back to Shinimamiya. Didn't really need dinner but bought a chicken and
rice bento box at Family Mart and which the staff microwave for you if
required.
Ate, had a bath and now I'm writing this.
Off
to Nagoya tomorrow. Especially looking forward to being able to see the
craftsmen at work in the recreation of the Honmaru (the
palace/residence) attached to the castle keep in any Japanese castle
precinct.
Lotsalove,
Tim xoxo
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