Day 13 – Tea, Kaiseki and Bamboo
April 27, Kyoto
Today, is Japanese to ceremony! Only one station up, we took a train directly into a heart of Gion and headed to our time slot. Upon arrival, they separated us from the boys and put us in kimono. This was actually a process. There were so many layers and so many different pulls and ties and folds to do. We weren’t allowed to take pictures, So you’ll have to use your imagination. I spoke pretty broken Japanese to the girl who is dressing me, but she was so impressed that I was at least trying to learn, that she spoke to me in very Elementary Japanese for the rest of the time explaining and instructing me on what to do, but if it was too much switching back to English. English. It was the most helpful conversation I had thus far. After she finished my hair, I went outside to meet Julie and the boys. All of us in kimono and stylin’. We took pictures in their interior garden while we waited for our tea time to start.
Once it was time, we filed in upstairs around a big table. We weren’t allowed to take pictures or videos in there either, but our tea Master was very knowledgeable. She was very proud of the English she’d learned… And honestly it was really good… As she let us through the ceremony and what everything are okay sent it. We had Japanese sweets, matcha. When that was finished. We are invited to an even more interior garden to take more pictures before heading to our next stop.. .
The samurai and ninja museum!
Then it was to the gift shop. My wallet was absolutely in danger. Nate finally got a samurai sword so did Julie. The swords were beautiful, and both of the swords that they got were the last ones, so they were very thrilled to have them.
Next stop… Traditional Kyoto style lunch. Restaurant I picked out was on a beautiful street in an older neighborhood, underneath the SHINTO shrine. Absolutely packed full of tourists, but still beautiful spot. We made our way through the crowd and slipped into an unassuming building. We were ushered up the stairs where we were sat at a table. We had no idea what I got, since I had reserved us the Kyoto set online. Finally they came out with a small feast… Seven different dishes for us to try all Kyoto style, and all fresh from the market. After we were all served, one of the girls came and instructed us how to eat every piece. It was a little nerve-wracking. But we tried it all. Some of the textures through Juli for a loop. Some of the flavors were too strong for even me. Elijah couldn’t bring himself to eat the shrimp with a head still on it. But we all agree that the fried meat on rice with a raw egg yoke on it was *chefs kiss*
Treat time!
Could not possibly have lunch without dessert! So we wandered up the street, stopping at any shops that tickled our fancy. We got a lot more gifts and souvenirs and Elijah found a bamboo katana he was looking for. Then, icecream. Nate and I went to a honey store that drizzled honey on the ice cream. Absolutely delicious. Then….we parted. We probably pushed Juli too hard. She was going to head back to our house while we continued exploring the streets. After we triple checked out maps and communication, she made her way down while we went up.
Even though the place was packed crowded, it was still very beautiful. I get the locals frustrations though…some of the people were just so RUDE. After dealing with the politeness of Japan as a whole and generally well-behaved tourists in the other places we went, Gion district was kinda shocking. We decided to leave the area and head to Arashiyama Bamboo grove.
As we headed down the path, the warm air grew cooler and the sky darker. The high bamboo trees blocked out so much light and heat. Under the chatter of the many people, a soft whisper of serenity blew through the path. It was quite serene.
Back home to Kyoto
Is not just me. Kyoto station is just super complicated. Even knowing exactly where I was going I got lost. Still, we managed to get home and pick up Juli and go to a konbini for dinner. Brought our junk food home to watch silly YouTube videos on Elijahs table (never did get my TV to work) and eat our parfaits. A nice, calm end to the day.
