Tuesday, October 28, 2014

JT 14- Day 12

Good evening gals,

Breakfast this morning was something I hadn't eaten before on this trip- onigiri. The concept of a rice "pyramid" wrapped in nori is one of the greatest examples of perfection in fast food ever. At the cost of about a dollar each they are delicious and filling. The packaging really says it all. You pull on the numbers 1-2-3 in sequence and lo and behold there is a perfectly presented taste sensation. The only choice is which filling do you choose? Due to my complete Kanji ignorance it is a total lucky dip but whichever choice I make they never fail to delight. I will attach a photo (or 2). 
Today didn't really do much but ticked off two on my To Do list
1- visit Shigeo and Miwa at Vermillion. Total pleasure to see them and the cafe is soooooooo cute. Industrial chic at it's most welcoming. I asked Miwa where she found the tiny milk jugs and she said " a ¥100 shop". They were perfect. Everything in harmony and good taste. They are somewhat embarrassed,but very happy nonetheless, that Trip Advisor has them ranked 4th or 5th best out of approximately 3600 establishments in Kyoto. Pretty much down to the foreign tourists loving the excellent coffee, homemade muffins and helpful, friendly people who speak English. They are very happy with their life and it shows. 
2- Visited Bruce 2nd- Website address- www.bruce-kyoto.com/
Bruce Lee ( honest it is his name) is a friend of Yoichi's who, as you will see on the website makes people shaped pencil cases from handprinted fabric he designs. Unfortunately he wasn't there but a very nice lady spoke to me. When I noticed one particular design that had my fave aminal, as you are well aware, the frog on it she said actually there are three that make up a set of the two "lower" frogs on a journey to meet the "God" frog. So tempted.....
Those two trips were to two of the most popular areas outside Kyoto proper- Inari for Vermillion and Arashiyama for Bruce- also the famous bamboo forest is in Arashiyama. 
Came back to Shinimamiya and decided to take the trip up Tsutenkaku (Osaka Eiffel Tower) which I had done once before with Yoichi. They have a new Billiken and it was much more commercial and nowhere near as quaint as last time. Still a great view in every direction. Interestingly the photos,  showing points of interest in each of those directions, concentrated on highlighting hotels. Presumably some money changes hands and typified the whole exercise. 
Back to the Hotel, dinner, bath, watch telly and write this- becoming quite the routine. One I'm quite happy with. 
Presuming no news etc re Mum's 'condition' ?
Off to Kobe tomorrow. 

Lotsalove,

Tim xoxo

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